Quick Read
- Petr Yan defeated Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323 by unanimous decision to reclaim the bantamweight title.
- Yan stopped 27 of Dvalishvili’s 29 takedown attempts and landed five of his own.
- Dvalishvili entered with the longest win streak in UFC bantamweight history (13) and was favored to win.
- Yan became the third bantamweight fighter in UFC history to regain the title after losing it.
- Dvalishvili expressed desire for a rematch, stating he’s not done yet.
Petr Yan’s Triumphant Return: The Upset That Redefined UFC 323
On a brisk December night in Las Vegas, the UFC’s bantamweight division was shaken to its core. Petr Yan, once dethroned and doubted, delivered the year’s most shocking upset at UFC 323, recapturing the title from Merab Dvalishvili in a performance that left fans and pundits stunned. Just 33 months after suffering a lopsided defeat to Dvalishvili—a bout in which he was overwhelmed by a record-setting barrage of takedown attempts—Yan flipped the script and etched his name into the sport’s history books.
The Road to Redemption: Yan’s Relentless Preparation
For Yan, this fight was more than a contest—it was a mission. Speaking through a translator after the bout, an emotional Yan revealed the depth of his commitment: “I’m very, very happy. I worked so hard, I prepared so hard for this moment. This is my life.” The Russian fighter’s journey had been arduous. He’d lost his belt in a fight many considered one of the most dominant performances in bantamweight history, and the shadow of that defeat loomed large.
Dvalishvili, meanwhile, was riding a wave of success. Undefeated in his last 14 fights, he had defended his title three times in 2025 alone—against elite contenders like Umar Nurmagomedov, Sean O’Malley, and Cory Sandhagen. His relentless wrestling and iron will had earned him the nickname “The Machine,” and many believed he was destined to set a record for most title defenses in a calendar year. But the night belonged to Yan.
The Fight: Tactical Mastery and Unyielding Pressure
From the opening bell, Yan’s intent was clear. He took the center of the cage, pressing forward with sharp jabs and crisp combinations that immediately put Dvalishvili on the defensive. Dvalishvili’s famed takedown game—once the bane of Yan’s existence—was neutralized with surgical precision. Yan fended off 27 of 29 takedown attempts, turning the tables by securing five takedowns of his own.
The rounds unfolded with a rhythm that favored Yan’s strengths. In the first frame, both fighters traded heavy shots, but Yan’s jab began to find a home, marking up the champion’s face. The second round saw Yan escape a dangerous guillotine attempt, showcasing not only his striking but his improved grappling awareness. By the third, Yan’s body kicks were landing with alarming accuracy, visibly hurting Dvalishvili and forcing him to retreat.
As the fight progressed, the Russian’s dominance grew. His boxing combinations were relentless, his defense nearly impenetrable. Dvalishvili, known for his indomitable spirit, gamely pushed forward, but every advance was met with punishing counters. By the championship rounds, Dvalishvili’s face was a mask of blood, and Yan’s body attacks had left him grimacing and vulnerable. The fifth and final round was an exclamation point—Yan landed a head kick, defended yet another takedown, and finished with a decisive takedown of his own.
Making History: Yan’s Place Among UFC Greats
The judges’ scorecards—49-46, 49-46, 48-47—reflected a fight that was competitive but clearly controlled by Yan. With this victory, Yan became only the third fighter in UFC bantamweight history to reclaim the title after losing it, joining the ranks of Dominick Cruz and T.J. Dillashaw. The win wasn’t just a personal triumph; it shifted the landscape of the division and reminded fans that in MMA, redemption is always possible.
Dvalishvili’s own legacy remains intact. His record-breaking win streaks—13 consecutive bantamweight victories, 14 overall in the UFC—set a bar few will ever reach. “I tried to give [my] all, entertainment fight, good fight, and I lost today,” Dvalishvili said, bloodied but undeterred. “He was better game today and congratulations to him, but I want a rematch. I want to run it back.”
The bout was a masterclass in adaptation. Yan, once overwhelmed by Dvalishvili’s wrestling, had studied, adjusted, and executed a game plan that left little room for error. His striking was sharp, his takedown defense impeccable, and his mental fortitude unbreakable.
UFC 323: Night of Surprises
The shockwaves from Yan’s victory weren’t the only tremors felt that night. In the co-main event, 24-year-old Joshua Van seized the UFC flyweight title after Alexandre Pantoja suffered a freak injury just 26 seconds into the first round, becoming the second-youngest champion in UFC history. Elsewhere, the main card saw Payton Talbott outclass Henry Cejudo, and Tatsuro Taira stop Brandon Moreno with a technical knockout.
For Yan, however, the spotlight was singular. The Russian fighter’s career had come full circle, from crushing defeat to historic triumph. As he celebrated, he gave respect to his rivals and their teams—“I fought twice with Aljamain [Sterling], twice with Merab. That’s an incredibly hard, strong team”—but the night was his.
The final bell signaled not just the end of a fight, but the beginning of a new chapter for Petr Yan. MMA is a sport of second chances, and Yan’s story now stands as a testament to perseverance, adaptation, and the sheer unpredictability that keeps fans coming back for more.
Petr Yan’s redemption at UFC 323 wasn’t just a victory—it was a masterclass in strategic evolution. By blending relentless preparation with tactical brilliance, Yan overcame a formidable champion and reclaimed his place among the elite. His win is a reminder that in the ever-shifting world of mixed martial arts, resilience and adaptability remain the ultimate weapons.