UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2 – Copybet

Merab Dvalishvili (21-4-0, 14-2 UFC) takes on Petr Yan (19-5-0, 11-4 UFC) in a rematch of their 2023 encounter.

Dvalishvili dominated the pair’s first fight over three rounds, outlanding the Russian by almost double the amount of significant strikes (147 v 75) and swarming Yan with takedown’s, landing 11 of a whopping 49 attempts.

The success rate of the 34-year-old’s takedown’s is not the key factor, but the constant pressure and endless cardio Dvalishvili brings has been an unsolvable puzzle in what is now a 14-fight winning streak.

Three title defences have already been banked in 2025, the first against number one contender Umar Nurmagomedov (Decision), followed by a submission win over in a rematch with Sean O’Malley (R3) and finally a dominant display over long-time contender Cory Sandhagen (Decision) in October.

Yan has put himself back as a title contender with three straight wins over Song Yadong (UD), Deiveson Figueiredo (UD) and Marcus McGhee (UD).

However, the champion’s momentum and evolution as a fighter looks as ever increasing as his gas tank and with Dvalishvili’s finishing threat growing, he could rubber stamp this by ending the fight on the ground.

Alexandre Pantoja (30-5-0, 14-3 UFC) looks to make a fifth successful defence of his Flyweight title when he takes on rising star Joshua Van (15-2, 8-1 UFC).

Pantoja has ripped through the division with his title reign including victories over Brandon Moreno (UD), Brandon Royval (UD), Steve Erceg (UD), Kai Asakura (Sub - R2) and Kai Kara-France (Sub - R3).

Asakura was brought in from a rival promotion and given a straight title fight, such was the need for bona fide contenders to face the 35-year-old Brazilian.

Van has risen quickly through the ranks, acquiring a five fight win streak in 15 months to secure a shot at the title after defeating Brandon Royval in June.

At just 24 years-old, Van has shown great stand-up and fearlessness to reach the top but faces a tough test against a pound-for-pound champion who has seen it all.

Pantoja has six wins via submission and six by decision inside the Octagon and is backed to get the former here and eventually wear down Van with his grappling in the challenger’s first UFC venture over three rounds.

Grant Dawson (23-2-1, 11-1-1) and Manuel Torres (16-3-0, 4-1-0) go head to head here in a classic grappler vs striker match-up.

Dawson is a strong wrestler with impressive top control and ground and pound, while he arrives here on a three-fight win streak with victories over Diego Ferreira (UD), Rafa García (R2 - TKO) and Joe Solecki (UD).

Dawson’s only UFC loss was a 33 second knockout defeat to King Green last September.

Torres is a powerful striker with three KO/TKO wins, including a performance of the night first-round knockout of Drew Dober in March.

All of the 30-year-old’s fights inside the UFC Octagon have ended in the first round, including his only defeat to Ignacio Bahamondes by TKO last September.

Who implements their game first could be key here and although Torres’ takedown defence has not been fully tested yet, Dawson’s chin has and a proven finisher like the Mexican could find the mark.

When Terrance McKinney (17-7-0, 7-4 UFC) and Chris Duncan (14-2-0, 5-1 UFC) enter an Octagon chaos is usually about to follow.

McKinney brings a “kill or be killed” attitude with four wins and three defeats inside the UFC all ending within the distance, with nine finishing in the first round.

The 31-year-old has four wins by KO/TKO and three by submission and is on a two fight win streak coming into this after victories against Viacheslav Borshchev (sub) and Damir Hadzovic (TKO).

Duncan is on a three-fight win streak with victories over Mateusz Rebecki (UD), Jordan Vucenic (R2 sub) and Bolaji Oki (R1 sub).

The 32-year-old Scottish fighter’s only defeat in his UFC tenure came via first-round submission to Manuel Torres last February.

Both can be reckless but Duncan looks to be getting better since his move to train in the United States and is the pick to ride the early storm and get a finish.