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The UFC’s final pay-per-view event of the year, UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2 was headlined by a bantamweight championship rematch between champion Merab Dvalishvili and former titleholder Petr Yan.
The two first fought at UFC Fight Night 221 in March 2023. Dvalishvili defeated Yan that night in Las Vegas via unanimous decision. It was the last time Yan lost a fight. Since the loss to Dvalishvili, the Russian has put together a three-fight winning streak.
Yan immediately began pressuring Dvalishvili. He switched stances. The champion stepped in the pocket with a right hand. Dvalishvili connected with a combination. They two exchanged jabs. Dvalishvili pressed forward and landed a right hand. Yan responded with a stiff jab. Yan landed a right hand that may have hurt Dvalishvili. Dvalishvili quickly worked to get the fight to the ground. Yan proved difficult to take down. Dvalishvili mixed in knees to the legs of Yan. Yan circled free. Dvalishvili closed the distance and clinched. He landed a right hand and separated. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Dvalishvili.Â
Dvalishvili opened the second frame with a right hand. The champion pressed forward behind punches and changed levels. Yan again defended the takedown attempt. The separated and exchanged. Yan landed a left hand. Yan’s jab began to land more often. Yan changed levels and took Dvalishvili down. The champion scrambled and gained top position. They scrambled to their feet. Yan connected with his jab. Dvalishvili briefly secured a takedown but Yan quickly bounced back to his feet. Yan delivered a hard right hand. Dvalishvili’s face is bloodied. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Dvalishvili.Â
Yan pressed forward to start the third. He delivered a kick to the body. Yan continued to land his jab. Dvalishvili stepped in the pocked with a right hand. Yan slammed Dvalishivili to the canvas. The champion quickly got back to his feet. He changed levels and slammed Yan to the ground. Yan rose to his feet and they separated. Dvalishvili again tried to get the fight to the ground but couldn’t. Yan connected with a kick to the body. He stuffed a takedown attempt. They traded right hands. A stiff jab caused Dvalishvili to look for a takedown. Yan shook it off and circled free. Yan’s takedown defense was on full display. Dvalishvili’s face was bloodied. They battled for position along the cage before separating. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 forÂ
The fourth round was back and forth with Yan connecting with big shots. Dvalishvili brought the pressure as the round wore on. Yan connected with a left hand and Dvalishvili look for a takedown. Dvalishvili fired back. MMAWeekly score the round 10-9 for Yan.
Yan landed leg kicks and forced Dvalishvili to move back. Yan landed to the body and Dvalishvili responded with an elbow. Yan fended off a takedown attempt and landed a left. Dvalishvili landed an elbow on the inside and quickly looked to get the fight to the ground. Yan continued to stuff takedown attempts. The let their hands go in the closing moments and Yan secured a late takedown. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Yan.Â
The judges scored the fight for Yan via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 49–46, 49–46, and 48–47.
