• What: UFC 323
  • Who: Merab Dvalishvili (c) vs Petr Yan for the UFC bantamweight title; Alexandre Pantoja (c) vs Joshua Van for the UFC  flyweight title
  • Where: T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada
  • When: Saturday, December 6, 6:15 p.m. EDT
  • Watch: ESPN

A pair of title bouts are headlining the UFC 323 card. Champion Merab Dvalishvili will be looking to make history as he seeks to retain the UFC bantamweight title belt against Petr Yan in the main event on this card.

It's the champ Dvalishvili who oddsmakers are setting as the solid -435 favorite in the UFC betting lines. You'll get +325 underdog odds if you opt to back the challenger Yan in this betting market.

Yan is a former champion in this weight class and the No. 3 contender in the UFC bantamweight rankings.

Let's look at the latest betting lines. Odds are subject to change.

UFC 323 OddsThe PickBovadaBetOnlineBetUS
Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr YanDvalishvili-435-400-450
Alexandre Pantoja vs Joshua VanPantoja-245-225-230

The co-main event is a title bout for the UFC flyweight belt between champion Alexandre Pantoja and challenger Joshua Van. It's Pantoja who is established as the -245 favorite to win the fight.

In this article, OSB will be analyzing the fighters in each of these main event bouts, offering a predicted winner in both matchups, and also providing some additional notes and information regarding UFC 323 picks and UFC betting.

UFC 323 Overview: Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan

This bout is a rematch. Dvalishvili defeated Yan by unanimous decision in a non-title bout during UFC Fight Night on March 11, 2023.

Fighter Spotlight: Merab Dvalishvili

If he wins, the Georgian will become the first fighter to successfully defend a UFC title four times during a calendar year. Already in 2025, Dvalishvili (21-4) has defeated Umar Nurmagomedov, Sean O'Malley, and Cory Sandhagen.

Dvalishvili originally claimed the UFC bantamweight title by dethroning O'Malley in September 2024. He's won 14 fights in a row. Dvalishvili hasn't tasted defeat since 2018. Other notable wins have come against Henry Cejudo and Jose Aldo.

Fighter Spotlight: Petr Yan

Yan (19-5) has twice held the UFC bantamweight world title. He first claimed the belt by beating Aldo in 2020. A year later, Yan laid claim to the interim world title for the division by virtue of a win over Sandhagen. However, each time he won the title, Yan was dethroned in his next bout by a loss to Aljamain Sterling.

His 2023 loss to Dvalishvili was the third setback in a row for Yan. He's won three bouts since that defeat, all by unanimous decision. Among other common opponents, Yan lost to O'Malley, the fighter that Dvalishvili has beaten twice. Yan is 4-4 over his past eight fights.

Prediction: Expect that this one will go the distance. Eight of Dvalishvili's past nine wins have come via unanimous decision. Overall, 16 of his 21 career wins were by decision.

Merab Dvalishvili To defeat Petr Yan at UFC 323
Bovada
-435
Bet Now!

Dvalishvili's combination of dynamic wrestling skills with an engine that never shuts down tends to overwhelm his opponents. To make matters worse for Yan, while he's a capable boxer and above-average grappler, he tends to be a slow starter. If he gets behind on the scorecards, it will be difficult to make up ground against his tenacious Georgian opponent.

UFC 323 Overview: Alexandre Pantoja vs Joshua Van

Pantoja has successfully defended his UFC flyweight title four times since originally winning the belt in 2023. This will be the first title shot for Van, who is the No. 1 contender in the division.

Fighter Spotlight: Alexandre Pantoja

The Brazilian fighter is known as The Cannibal, yet he never seems to bite off more than he can chew. Pantoja (30-5) is a significant presence in the flyweight division.

He holds UFC flyweight records for the most wins (14), most submissions (six), and most finishes (eight). He's also the first male flyweight fighter to win a title fight at the age of 35 or older.

Pantoja comes into this bout riding an eight-fight win streak. It's been over five years since he lost a bout.

Fighter Spotlight: Joshua Van

Van was the Fury FC flyweight champion before joining UFC in 2023. He was the first Burmese fighter ever signed by the promotion.

Van has won five fights in a row. His last bout was a victory over Brandon Royval, who lost a title fight to Pantoja in 2023.

Prediction: Pantoja has never been stopped in 35 pro fights. Van possesses outstanding boxing skills, but Pantoja's chin has passed the test against much more experienced fighters.

Alexandre Pantoja To defeat Joshua Van at UFC 323
Bovada
-245
Bet Now!

It's that edge in experience that will work to Pantoja's advantage. Van hasn't faced a grappler who is as talented at gaining submissions as Pantoja. Pantoja will win this fight, and don't be surprised if it ends early.

Boost Your UFC Picks

Before getting your wagers down on UFC 323, don't forget to check out the best UFC betting odds to ensure you are getting the best bets available. You can also use sportsbook reviews 2025 to find a betting site to service your needs in UFC betting picks. And if you're new to the world of online sports betting, don't fret about being in over your head. There are plenty of how-to tips that you can peruse in our handy sports betting guide.