UFC 323 Breakdown
This article offers a deep preview of Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan II at UFC 323, breaking down the champion’s dominant run, the challenger’s strengths, and what both stand to gain or lose. It analyzes their contrasting styles, recent trajectories, and the tactical keys that could swing the rematch. With the buildup heating up for UFC 323, fans looking to maximize their fight-week experience should know about current welcome offers — including a Fanatics promo code that can help boost your bankroll going into the event.
Dvalishvili’s Dominant Run
Merab Dvalishvili enters UFC 323 with a professional record of 21-4 and a historic 13-fight winning streak, the longest ever in UFC bantamweight history. In September 2024, he became UFC bantamweight champion by unanimous decision and has already defended his title three times in 2025, making UFC 323 his chance to achieve a record-setting fourth title defense in a single calendar year, something no UFC champion in any division has ever accomplished. His recent victory over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 tied the divisional defense record, and now he aims to stand alone atop the history books.
Dvalishvili’s style is anchored in relentless pressure, cardio that never fades, and a wrestling engine that drowns opponents. In the first fight against Petr Yan, he secured 11 takedowns and outstruck him 147 to 75, controlling the fight from start to finish. These numbers underline his unmatched durability and ability to dictate the tempo from the opening bell to the closing horn.
His historic wrestling production includes 117 career takedowns, the highest total in UFC history, proof of a style built on forcing opponents to break under accumulation rather than single moments of offense. The quick turnaround into UFC 323 after three defenses earlier this year shows both confidence and risk, raising questions about whether such a demanding pace can be sustained after already going through championship-level preparations multiple times.
A win would give Dvalishvili sole ownership of the bantamweight defense record and elevate his case as potentially the greatest 135-pound fighter to ever compete, while a loss would disrupt his momentum and leave room for critics to question the sustainability of his high-pressure style.
Petr Yan’s Strengths and Redemption Arc
Petr Yan arrives at UFC 323 with a professional record of 19-5, supported by a three-fight win streak since his March 2023 loss to Dvalishvili. Known for never being finished in his MMA career, Yan’s durability and technical foundation remain among the strongest in the entire division. His striking is defined by crisp boxing, sharp counters, and smart footwork, giving him a stylistic contrast to Dvalishvili’s grinding pace.
In their first meeting, Yan’s downfall stemmed from being neutralized by Dvalishvili’s takedowns and pressure. Yan later admitted he competed at “50% capacity,” noting that he was not operating with his full physical potential during the matchup. His statistical disadvantages — including Dvalishvili’s 6.40 takedown average compared to Yan’s 1.58 — reflect the adjustments he must make: strengthened takedown defense, improved cage-cutting, and a sharper approach to managing the opening rounds.
Yan’s motivation in the rematch is fueled by the chance to reclaim the throne he once held. Regaining the UFC bantamweight title after losing to the same opponent would restore his legacy and position him once again as the most complete striker-technician in the division. A loss would shift him further from championship contention and amplify questions about his long-term trajectory.
What is at Stake: Legacy, Records, Division Implications
The magnitude of UFC 323 stretches far beyond just another title defense. Dvalishvili is attempting to achieve what no UFC champion has done before — four successful title defenses in one calendar year — and doing so against a former champion determined to rewrite the narrative of their first encounter. This fight represents a clash of legacies: one building toward history, the other fighting to avoid becoming an afterthought in a rival’s dominant run.
For the bantamweight division, the outcome shapes the direction of future matchmaking. Should Dvalishvili win, he effectively becomes the standard by which all contenders are judged. If Yan pulls off the redemption arc, the weight class experiences a dramatic shift, and fresh contenders gain new pathways toward title contention. Fans, analysts, and fighters alike recognize the importance of this moment in the broader storyline of the UFC’s most competitive division, especially as interest surges across platforms where people track fights, merchandise, and even special offers like a Fanatics promo code tied to major UFC events.
Style & Strategy Breakdown: Dvalishvili
Dvalishvili’s pressure is his greatest weapon. He wastes no movement, constantly advancing and forcing opponents to react rather than initiate. His pace exhausts even elite competitors as he chains strikes, clinch attempts, and takedowns into a seamless, unbreakable rhythm. His wrestling output — including the 11 takedowns against Yan — demonstrates both efficiency and volume, making him one of the most suffocating fighters the bantamweight division has ever seen.
While not known as a knockout specialist, his striking output wears opponents through accumulation. The 147 strikes he landed on Yan were strategically placed to soften defenses and create paths for grappling entries. His durability lets him absorb damage without deviating from his approach, and his cardio engine allows him to push a world-class pace into championship rounds. The quick turnaround adds an element of risk, but Dvalishvili has consistently shown the conditioning to handle intense schedules.
Style & Strategy Breakdown: Yan
Yan’s technical striking remains the greatest threat to Dvalishvili’s reign. His combinations flow effortlessly, complemented by smart feints, layered counters, and an instinctive sense of timing. This striking advantage becomes meaningful only if Yan can improve the takedown defense issues that plagued him previously. His challenge is striking the right balance between scoring damage and staying upright long enough to keep the fight in his preferred ranges.
Yan has emphasized feeling significantly better prepared than during their first meeting, when he said he performed at just half of his true capacity. Entering this rematch refreshed and physically optimized gives him the mindset required to engage in a potential war. The key will be avoiding over-committing punches that expose him to Dvalishvili’s reactive takedowns, while still landing enough clean damage to influence judges or create opportunities for a finish.
Forecasting Outcomes: How the Fight Might Play Out
The scenario is a familiar one: Dvalishvili leaning on his wrestling, pace, and pressure to wear down Yan and dominate long stretches of the fight, potentially leading to another decision victory. However, if Yan’s adjustments hold, his striking advantage could shift the dynamic. Clean, early success in the stand-up combined with improved takedown defense might allow him to build a lead and potentially force late-fight opportunities for a finish or a decision to win.
Momentum shifts are another possibility. Yan could land early; Dvalishvili could rally with pressure, and rounds could swing back and forth, making cardio and pacing even more crucial. As always in five-round fights, the championship rounds may reveal who truly prepared for deep waters. According to predictive models, Dvalishvili sits at a 67% probability of victory, making him the statistical favorite entering UFC 323.
Implications for the Bantamweight Division & Legacy
A Dvalishvili victory extends his championship narrative into historic territory and elevates him into all-time discussions among bantamweights. A Yan victory resets the entire landscape, opening fresh matchups and adding complexity to a division already overflowing with contenders. Each man’s style influences how future fighters prepare: whether the division leans toward wrestling-dominant archetypes or striking-centric technicians could depend on the outcome.
Final Thoughts: Who Has the Edge?
Dvalishvili holds the momentum, statistical edge, and stylistic pressure to repeat his previous success. But Yan’s refined preparation, striking power, and motivation to reclaim what he lost offer a very real path to victory. The fight hinges on takedown defense, early round composure, and who manages the pace more effectively. UFC 323 represents a crossroads for both careers — a moment that could permanently shape their legacies and the future of the bantamweight division.
