UFC 323 showcased several major shifts in two weight classes, including a new bantamweight champion and an unexpected flyweight title change. The event took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and featured five main card bouts that influenced the direction of multiple divisions.
Petr Yan Takes the Bantamweight Belt From Dvalishvili
The main event fight ended with Petr Yan returning to the top of the bantamweight division. He earned a unanimous decision win over Merab Dvalishvili after a steady and tactical five round contest. Yan used consistent striking to stay ahead on the scorecards while limiting the success of Dvalishvili’s grappling. The judges delivered scores of 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47. The result marked Yan’s first title win since losing the belt in 2021 and brought Dvalishvili’s championship stretch to a close.
Joshua Van Claims Flyweight Gold in a Sudden Finish
A quick ending defined the co main event. Joshua Van captured the flyweight title after Alexandre Pantoja injured his shoulder only seconds into the opening round. The injury occurred as Pantoja threw a kick and fell to the mat to break his fall. The referee stopped the fight once it became clear he could not continue, giving Van a TKO win at the 26 second mark. The outcome places Van at the top of the division and leaves Pantoja awaiting medical evaluation before any future booking.
Taira Scores a Second Round Stoppage Against Moreno
Tatsuro Taira continued his rise with a TKO victory over Brandon Moreno. The bout ended in the second round after Taira connected with a clean combination that forced the referee’s stoppage at 2:24. It was an important victory for Taira, who now moves closer to the top group of contenders at flyweight. Moreno, who has held the title in the past, will need to rebuild after this setback.
Talbott Earns Decision Victory Over Cejudo
In one of the key matchups on the card, Payton Talbott defeated former champion Henry Cejudo by unanimous decision. Talbott maintained a consistent pace throughout the contest and kept control of most of the exchanges. All three judges scored the bout 30-27. With the loss, Henry Cejudo announced retirement from the sport.
Blachowicz vs Guskov Ending in a Draw
The first main card fight featured Jan Blachowicz and Bogdan Guskov. After three competitive rounds, the judges produced a majority draw. One judge scored the fight 29-28 for Blachowicz, while the other two scored it 28-28. A rematch is a likely possibility given the close nature of the contest and the inconclusive result.
UFC 323 Main Card Results
| Matchup | Winner | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili | Petr Yan | Unanimous Decision |
| Joshua Van vs Alexandre Pantoja | Joshua Van | TKO, Round 1 |
| Tatsuro Taira vs Brandon Moreno | Tatsuro Taira | TKO, Round 2 |
| Payton Talbott vs Henry Cejudo | Payton Talbott | Unanimous Decision |
| Jan Blachowicz vs Bogdan Guskov | Majority Draw | N/A |
