2+ hour, 16+ min ago (1098+ words) The fact that Merab Dvalishvili is back in Las Vegas, readying to defend his bantamweight title again in the main event of UFC 323 this weekend against Petr Yan would be alarming if it wasn't becoming the norm for the man with the most apt nickname in the UFC right now. It's an unprecedented moment, but exactly what the ruler of the 135-pound weight class said he was hoping to do even before he stepped in with Sandhagen. "It feels good to be back," Dvalishvili said on Tuesday, just a few days out from his rematch with Yan. "I like to be busy, and other than the weight cuts, everything is beautiful. "It means a lot for me because I love fighting and I want to be busy," he added regarding his historic fourth title defense in 2025. "Thank you a lot…...

8+ hour, 24+ min ago (699+ words) Three years ago, the athletes featured as ascending fighters to keep tabs on as they headed into of UFC 282 were Dricus Du Plessis, Ilia Topuria, and Raul Rosas Jr.. Will the triumvirate discussed below go on to reach the heights achieved by Du Plessis and Topuria, or carry the same buzz and hype as "El Ni'o Problema" in three years" time? Check back in December 2028, but for now, check out the up-and-coming standouts looking to shine on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. The three non-title fights on this weekend"s main card all feature former champions taking on ascending talents in their respective divisions with the first of those pitting Guskov against ex-light heavyweight titleholder Jan Blachowicz in a bout that has real "changing of the guard" potential. Watch UFC 323 Embedded Though he finished Elekana with a guillotine choke, the foundation…...

11+ hour, 3+ min ago (2041+ words) With Alexandre Pantoja set to defend the flyweight title against surging challenger Joshua Van, Kyte sat down with Tyson Chartier, head coach of the New England Cartel, to discuss this weekend's fascinating UFC 323 co-main event. Kyte: This is a really interesting fight and I'm looking forward to breaking it down with you, so let's get started: what are the best traits of Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van? Chartier: I think from a skill or weapon perspective with Pantoja, it's obviously his jiu jitsu, but at this point, I think you can also say that it's his composure and experience in the big moments that are his best traits. I think he's at that'where he's going for his fifth consecutive successful title defense, and the experience in those moments, against the top guys is an invaluable trait. Kyte:Yeah, he looks…...

14+ hour, 24+ min ago (1234+ words) Not many fighters get the chance to compete on the biggest stage in the sport in their hometown, and the opportunity is even more scarce for those born outside of major cities. "Cinematic: you couldn't write a movie script like that," Sadykhov said of competing at home, where he earned a second-round stoppage win over Nikolas Motta. "Fight Night aside, the treatment, the reception from my people, the love, the feeling of heroism because of the fans and the people, what they say "I don't know what to say; it gives me goosebumps." Watch UFC 323 Embedded "It's not gonna be a fair fight to fight me in an MMA bout." As much as the experience was a huge milestone moment, personally and professionally, as the win moved Sadykhov to 4-0-1 in the UFC and inched him closer to breaking into the…...

15+ hour, 24+ min ago (1050+ words) If it goes as planned, 2025 is the takeover year. We're going to stay busy just like we did this year, maybe busier. I want to stay as active as possible." That is what Joshua Van told the late Thomas Gerbasi'last December, ahead of his fight with Cody Durden at UFC 310. Still just 23 years old at the time, the flyweight prospect was only a couple months removed from defeating Edgar Chairez at Noche UFC, readying for his fourth fight of the 2024 and sixth trip into the Octagon since debuting 18 months earlier. There is no way he could have known how prophetic his words would turn out to be, but with a victory on Saturday night at UFC 323, Van can fully take over the flyweight division. It's just the hunger, man," he said about why that win over the Mexican veteran last…...

1+ day, 10+ hour ago (217+ words) A pair of red-hot champions look to add yet another title defense to their record as the UFC's penultimate event of 2025 goes down in the familiar confines of T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In the main event, bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili seeks a historic fourth title defense of the year as he looks to defeat former champion Petr Yan for a second time. Before that, Alexandre Pantoja defends the flyweight throne once again, this time facing the upstart Joshua Van." The Early Prelims kickoff at 6pm ET / 3pm PT on ESPN+ and UFC FIGHT PASS. The Prelims begin at 8pm ET / 5pm PT on ESPN 2 and ESPN+ "in the United States and the Main Card will air exclusively on ESPN+ PPV in the U.S. at 10pm ET / 7pm PT. Don't miss a moment of UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2, live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on…...

2+ day, 19+ hour ago (2026+ words) Ahead of this weekend's UFC 323 bantamweight championship main event, Kyte connected with Denver-based striking coach Sean Madden to breakdown the matchup between titleholder Merab Dvalishvili and challenger Petr Yan. Kyte: Alright Coach, it's time to get into it. Bantamweight title fight " what's the best trait of Merab Dvalishvili and what's the best trait of Petr Yan? Madden: For Merab "this is fourth fight of the year? Preview Every Fight On Saturday's Card Madden:That's insane, but we'll talk about that later because that's definitely something to discuss in terms of this fight and it could go both ways. His pace and his conditioning are always going to be the first things we talk about when it comes to his best traits because that's what separate him from the pack, even in a division as crowded and stacked at 135. He's still…...

2+ day, 19+ hour ago (2026+ words) Ahead of this weekend's UFC 323 bantamweight championship main event, Kyte connected with Denver-based striking coach Sean Madden to breakdown the matchup between titleholder Merab Dvalishvili and challenger Petr Yan. Kyte: Alright Coach, it's time to get into it. Bantamweight title fight " what's the best trait of Merab Dvalishvili and what's the best trait of Petr Yan? Madden: For Merab "this is fourth fight of the year? Preview Every Fight On Saturday's Card Madden:That's insane, but we'll talk about that later because that's definitely something to discuss in terms of this fight and it could go both ways. His pace and his conditioning are always going to be the first things we talk about when it comes to his best traits because that's what separate him from the pack, even in a division as crowded and stacked at 135. He's still…...

2+ day, 20+ hour ago (1298+ words) Saturday night, the UFC makes its fourth and final appearance of the year at T-Mobile Arena, bringing a stacked 14-fight card capped with twin championship fights. UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2 is, on paper, the best card of the year, surpassing last month's outstanding lineup at Madison Square. Each of the three non-title main card fights feature former champions facing ascending contenders, while the prelim slate is packed with competitive matchups, including a handful carrying immediate divisional significance. Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan Co-Main Event: Alexandre Pantoja vs Joshua Van Location: T-Mobile Arena " Las Vegas, NV Where to Watch: ESPN+ / Disney+ / FX Other Main Card Matches: Bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili looks to make history as he puts his title on the line for the fourth time this year, stepping in against ex-champ and perennial contender Petr Yan in Saturday…...

2+ day, 20+ hour ago (1291+ words) Saturday night, the UFC makes its fourth and final appearance of the year at T-Mobile Arena, bringing a stacked 14-fight card capped with twin championship fights. UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2 is, on paper, the best card of the year, surpassing last month's outstanding lineup at Madison Square. Each of the three non-title main card fights feature former champions facing ascending contenders, while the prelim slate is packed with competitive matchups, including a handful carrying immediate divisional significance. Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan Co-Main Event: Alexandre Pantoja vs Joshua Van Location: T-Mobile Arena " Las Vegas, NV Where to Watch: ESPN+ / Disney+ / FX Other Main Card Matches: Bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili looks to make history as he puts his title on the line for the fourth time this year, stepping in against ex-champ and perennial contender Petr Yan in Saturday…...