Overview

• Dana White said matchmaking began today for the promotion’s first event under the Paramount deal.
• Lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is a possibility to headline the Paramount debut, according to White.
• Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan is confirmed as the UFC 323 main event on Dec. 6, the final ESPN pay-per-view.
• White said he expects Dana White’s Contender Series to move to Paramount, though he stopped short of a formal announcement.
• The seven-year, $7.7 billion Paramount agreement begins Jan. 1, 2026, and White praised ESPN while promising a strong send-off slate.