Featured Image: UFC 323 Poster (UFC)

UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2  is not only significant because it is the last numbered card of 2025, but it is also the last card before the Paramount+ deal takes effect. Earlier this year, UFC and its parent company, TKO Group Holdings, Inc., signed a $7.7 billion agreement with Paramount, a shift away from ESPN, which had held the rights to UFC content since 2019. This will be a major change for viewers because they will no longer have to pay $79.99 to view the UFC’s numbered cards. They would now be included in a standard Paramount+ subscription package along with any other fight night cards and press conferences.   

Below are the storylines and my personal predictions for UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2, that takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nev. 

Early Prelims: 

Edson Barboza vs. Jalin Turner 

Barboza’s career within the UFC dates back to 2010; this does not include his previous amateur bouts or professional bouts before he signed with the company. At the peak of his career, he fought for titles and was a contender within the top five of the weight class he was within. He comes off a unanimous decision loss at UFC 319 against Drakkar Klose. 

Turner is a young (in terms of UFC age) prospect within the lightweight division, but after his loss at UFC 313 to Ignacio Bahamondes by submission in the first round. In his post-fight press conference, he said he would retire from the sport because he did not feel the same spark anymore. After a few months away, Turner expressed an interest in a return and told supporters that he had been back in the gym preparing. 

Prediction: Turner via 2nd round TKO/KO. Barboza retires after a long, successful career. 

Other Early Prelims Fights:

Santos via decision vs Naimov 

Abdul-Malik via TKO/KO vs Trocoil 

Baraniewski via TKO/KO vs Aslan

Ferreira via decision vs Vettori

Prelims: 

Grant Dawson vs. Manuel Torres 

Dawson is currently on a three-fight win streak, most recently off a really good decision win over Diego Ferreira. He looks to continue his win streak and make a push into the top 15 in the lightweight division.  

Torres won his last fight against Drew Dober via KO. He has been pretty consistent since he joined the UFC with a record of 4-1, but he has not shown any high-level skills. 

Prediction: Dawson via unanimous decision.   

Maycee Barber vs. Karine Silva 

The only W-MMA fight on this card features two middle-of-the-pack flyweight contenders. 

Barber is currently on a six-fight win streak dating back to 2021. She has faced some stiff competition, but has been able to use her striking to win herself the decision in five of those fights. Her other win is a KO/TKO over Amanda Ribas, who is currently on a one-three after a bout with Barber. 

Silva comes off a decision win over Dione Barbosa back in August. She has shown an ability to submit her opponents while also posed as a strong base within Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

Both fighters are a win or two from in contention for the belt at women’s flyweight. 

Prediction: Barber via split decision  

Other Prelim Fights:

Sadykhov via KO/TKO vs. Ziam

McKinney via KO/TKO vs Duncan 

Main Card:

Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov

Blachowicz has been on a decline in recent years with two losses against a group of the two best in the division, Alex Pereira and Carlos Ulberg, respectively. The fight before that was for the Light Heavyweight championship, where he would draw with Magomed Ankalev. Blachowicz was at one point at the top of the division; however, he is currently not good enough to compete with the new level of prospects in the division. 

Guskov is on a four-fight win streak and off arguably the best win of his career against Nikita Krylov in a first-round KO/TKO. He looks to break into the rankings with a win on Saturday. 

Prediction: Guskov via KO/TKO 

Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott

Cejudo was once a name within the G.O.A.T. ( Greatest of all time) conversation, but in recent years, he has slowly ruined his reputation. He would be the third UFC simultaneous double champion in UFC history, but would retire shortly after. He would step away for three years, and ever since he has come back, he has not been able to get back into the win column. 

Talbott is the textbook definition of a rising star; he has been hyped up since he entered UFC, and many people believe that he has been able to back it up. However, two fights ago he faced his first loss, but he has been able to bounce back and get a good win over Felipe Lima. 

Prediction: Talbott via split decision 

Brandon Moreno vs. Tatsuro Taira 

Moreno is a fan favorite who is always one win away from another title shot. He goes out and puts on a good fight every chance he gets. He is currently on a two-fight win streak against two newer talents in the division. 

Taira has built a name for himself. He started his career in Shooto and would make a stop in Vale Tudo Japan before signed to the UFC roster. He has performed well in his UFC bouts, but did suffer a split decision loss to Brandon Royval two fights ago. 

Prediction: Moreno via submission 

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van

Pantoja has averaged two fights a year since his title win in 2023. He has made every fight look easier than the last. He can keep pressure on all of his opponents, along with a very strong submission game. He is close to clearing out the top of his division and becoming the greatest Flyweight to grace the octagon. 

Van has looked very strong since he joined UFC in 2023, with a record of 8-1 in his bouts within the organization. He is an all-around great fighter, from his striking to being able to hold his own on the ground game. On paper, he is Pantoja’s toughest opponent to date. 

Prediction: Van via unanimous decision  

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan

Dvalishvili has been the definition of his nickname, a “Machine.” He can shoot 10 takedowns in a round and still have a full tank of energy to attack you with. The combination of his relentless shots for takedowns and his rapidly improving striking means he is forced to be reckoned with in the Bantamweight division. He has already beaten Yan once before, and every fight since that one has not been any closer. 

Yan is a former champion, along with a top-five striker and wrestler within the division. He is too good to be a gatekeeper of the division, but not good enough to defeat the top two or three names within the rankings. His last bout against Dvalishvili went exactly how most viewers thought it would, and since then, Yan has not shown an ability to do any better. 

Prediction: Dvalishvili via unanimous decision