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UFC 323 Fallout: Yan Reclaims Bantamweight Title as Van Takes Injured Pantoja’s Flyweight Belt

Merab Dvalishvili says the UFC offered him a Yan rematch next, with flyweight plans on hold pending Alexandre Pantoja’s recovery.

Overview

  • Petr Yan defeated Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision at T-Mobile Arena, a performance Dana White praised as a high-level finale to the ESPN pay-per-view era.
  • Dvalishvili says the promotion told him his next bout will be a title rematch and he prefers April, though Yan has suggested he may defend against someone else first, leaving the trilogy unconfirmed.
  • Joshua Van became flyweight champion after Pantoja suffered a left-arm injury about 26 seconds into the co-main event, and outlets are pointing to Tatsuro Taira as a likely challenger if Pantoja is sidelined.
  • Updated rankings show Yan entering the pound-for-pound top 10 at No. 6, Dvalishvili dropping to No. 8, Pantoja sliding to No. 9, and Van debuting at No. 11.
  • Coverage highlights Yan’s achievement as a reported first in the UFC: regaining a title after a prior three-fight skid, while debate over immediate rematches sets the stage for the Paramount+ era.