UFC 323 is set to return to Las Vegas, showcasing two title fights as the last pay-per-view event of the year. In the main event, Merab Dvalishvili will enter the octagon to defend his Bantamweight title for the fourth time this year, facing Petr Yan on December 6 at the T-Mobile Arena.

Dvalishvili (21-4-0) is set to make UFC history by attempting a fourth successful title defense within a single calendar year. His first title defense took place in January against Umar Nurmagomedov, which he won by unanimous decision. Dvalishvili's second defense was a rematch against Sean O'Malley, which he won via submission in the third round. He then defended his title for a third time in October against Cory Sandhagen, winning that match by unanimous decision.

Yan (19-5-0) has turned his fortunes around after his last loss, which came from Dvalishvili in March 2023. He is currently on a three-fight winning streak, including two victories in 2024 and a unanimous decision win against Marcus McGhee in 2025.

Here are the predictions and odds ahead of UFC 323.

UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan predictions

Sporting News: Merab via unanimous decision

Daniel Yanofsky writes: "Has Yan improved his takedown defense (85%) since the last fight? Even against other opponents, they aren’t on the same level as Merab. Even if injuries may have affected Yan last time, it appears nothing can stop Merab, especially on the floor. Expect the same result here."

Action Network: Merab Dvalishvili

Billy Ward writes: "With the champion only about two years older than the challenger, it's also hard to say that time could be the equalizer here, as both men are in roughly the same stage of their careers. For all of those reasons, the roughly four-to-one odds on "The Machine" to retain his title feel about right."

Score and Stats: Merab Dvalishvili

Rick Rockwell writes: "You can throw caution to the wind and bet on a KO upset, but I don’t see it happening. Merab wins with defense, timing, pacing, and suffocating wrestling. Yan didn’t have an answer for that in 2023, and he won’t have an answer for it now."

UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan date

Merab Dvalishvili will face Petr Yan on Saturday, December 6, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

  • Date: Saturday, December
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET
  • TV: ESPN2 (Prelims); ESPN PPV (Main Card)
  • Stream: ESPN+, Disney+ (Early Prelims/Prelims) ESPN PPV (Main Card)

UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan: TV and streaming information

The Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan early prelims and prelims fight will be available to stream on ESPN+ and Disney+, while the main card will be streamed on ESPN Pay-Per-View.

UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan fight card and odds

Fight card according to ESPN and odds according to BetMGM.

Main Card:

  • Merab Dvalishvili (-500) vs. Petr Yan (+340); For bantamweight title
  • Alexandre Pantoja (-265) vs. Joshua Van (+200); For flyweight title
  • Brandon Moreno (+110) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-140); Flyweight
  • Henry Cejudo (+200) vs. Payton Talbott (-265); Lightweight
  • Jan Blachowicz (-140) vs. Bogdan Guskov (+110); Bantamweight

Prelims:

  • Grant Dawson (-235) vs. Manuel Torres (+180); Lightweight
  • Chris Duncan (-195) vs. Terrance McKinney (+150); Lightweight
  • Maycee Barber (-180) vs. Karine Silva (+140); Women's flyweight
  • Nazim Sadykhov (+115) vs. Fares Ziam (-145); Lightweight

Early Prelims:

  • Marvin Vettori (-120) vs. Brunno Ferreira (-110); Middleweight
  • Edson Barboza (+200) vs. Jalin Turner (-265); Lightweight
  • Ibo Aslan (+165) vs. Iwo Baraniewski (-215); Light Heavyweight
  • Mansur Abdul-Malik (-1000) vs. Antonio Trocoli (+560); Middleweight
  • Muhammad Naimov (+220) vs. Mairon Santos (+295); Featherweight

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UFC 323 predictions: Dvalishvili vs. Yan picks, odds and what to know

Reporting by Elizabeth Flores, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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