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While Petr Yan flicks the occasional jab outside the cage, Dvalishvili refuses to be drawn into a shouting match. His eyes are on something far more exacting than press-conference theatre: the scale, the belt, and the next record to break.
“We’re professional fighters,” he says, in the steady tone of a man who has already decided what matters. “People will watch anyway. I don’t like drama for no reason. And I don’t like disrespect for no reason.”
On Saturday, at UFC 323, the bantamweight champion walks into the final UFC pay-per-view event before the organization’s seven-year marriage to Paramount Plus begins. It is a historic night, and Dvalishvili stands at its center, a commanding –425 favorite according to BetMGM.
At 34, the Long Island–based Georgian-American carries a 14-fight winning streak—a number that puts him within striking distance of legends. Beat Yan again, and he ties Kamaru Usman for the third-longest streak in UFC history. Only Silva and Makhachev sit higher on the mountain with 16.
Dvalishvili speaks of this pursuit not with swagger, but with the practical gratitude of a man who knows the value of hard work and a packed schedule.
“That was my goal this year—to stay busy,” he says. “Thank you to the UFC for making it happen.”
His last loss came in 2018. Since then, he has built momentum the way great brands are built: consistently, relentlessly, with results that speak louder than slogans.
Yan knows what that feels like. Dvalishvili beat him once already, back in March 2023—an event remembered as much for Yan’s shove at weigh-ins as for the fight itself.
“That time, it was personal,” Dvalishvili admits. “Now, it’s competition. I respect him. He’s a great father, a good fighter. The only problem? He was bullying. He talked trash about me, about Aljamain, about our team. He didn’t give us respect.”
In a sport that often rewards noise, Dvalishvili is writing a different kind of headline—one built on discipline, decency, and the quiet confidence of a champion who knows that the most powerful message is performance.
TONIGHT: The End of an Era
The LAST UFC pay-per-view (in the U.S.) before Paramount+ begins in 2026. Merab Dvalishvili attempts to become the first UFC champion EVER to defend a title FOUR times in one calendar year!
⚡ WE GO LIVE ~10 PM ET as the Main Card starts!
MAIN EVENT: Merab Dvalishvili (c) vs. Petr Yan 2 - UFC Bantamweight Championship
The "Machine" aims for history against "No Mercy" in this highly anticipated rematch. Merab dominated March 2023, but Yan wants revenge. Can Merab's relentless pace overcome Yan's technical striking? Does Merab make UFC history tonight?
CO-MAIN:
Alexandre Pantoja (c) vs. Joshua Van - UFC Flyweight Championship
Pantoja defends his flyweight crown against surging Joshua Van.
FULL MAIN CARD:
Brandon Moreno vs. Tatsuro Taira - Former champ vs. undefeated prospect
Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott - "Triple C" returns at 38 against rising star
Jan Błachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov - Former champ climbs back
WHAT YOU GET TONIGHT:
✅ Real-time reactions to every significant moment from all three hosts
✅ Round-by-round scoring from Dave, Fred, and AJ
✅ Technical breakdowns between rounds
✅ Instant analysis of finishes and key exchanges
✅ Judging discussion for close rounds
✅ Unfiltered opinions on controversial decisions
️ THE RINGSIDE REPORT DIFFERENCE:
This isn't generic commentary. Dave Simon, Fred Garcia, and AJ D'Alesio bring technical MMA expertise with brutally honest analysis. No corporate talking points. No sugar-coating. Just real insights from the Combat Sports Authority.
LIVE CHAT: Drop your reactions throughout the night! We're monitoring comments and will respond to your takes
and questions.
⏰ TIMING:
Prelims: 8 PM ET (Sportsnet/ESPN2 / ESPN+ / Disney+ / FX)
MAIN CARD: 10 PM ET (ESPN+ PPV)
WE GO LIVE: ~10 PM ET
FULL CARD:
MAIN CARD (ESPN+ PPV):
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan (Bantamweight Title) | Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van (Flyweight Title) | Brandon Moreno vs. Tatsuro Taira | Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott | Jan Błachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov
PRELIMS (ESPN2 / ESPN+ / Disney+ / FX):
Grant Dawson vs. Manuel Torres | Terrance McKinney vs. Chris Duncan | Maycee Barber vs. Karine Silva | ****m Sadykhov vs. Farčs Ziam
EARLY PRELIMS (ESPN+ / Disney+ / FX):
Marvin Vettori vs. Brunno Ferreira | Edson Barboza vs. Jalin Turner | Iwo Baraniewski vs. İbo Aslan | Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Antonio Trócoli | Muhammad Naimov vs. Mairon Santos
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE:
This is the FINAL numbered UFC pay-per-view under the ESPN deal (in the U.S.). Starting January 2026 with UFC 324, all numbered events move to Paramount+ with no additional PPV fees for American subscribers.
Canadian Viewers: The Paramount+ deal does NOT apply to Canada. Sportsnet/TVA Sports retain Canadian rights with traditional PPV.
LET'S MAKE HISTORY TOGETHER!
Join Dave, Fred, and AJ for an unforgettable night! See you at 10 PM ET when that Octagon door closes!
“We’re professional fighters,” he says, in the steady tone of a man who has already decided what matters. “People will watch anyway. I don’t like drama for no reason. And I don’t like disrespect for no reason.”
On Saturday, at UFC 323, the bantamweight champion walks into the final UFC pay-per-view event before the organization’s seven-year marriage to Paramount Plus begins. It is a historic night, and Dvalishvili stands at its center, a commanding –425 favorite according to BetMGM.
At 34, the Long Island–based Georgian-American carries a 14-fight winning streak—a number that puts him within striking distance of legends. Beat Yan again, and he ties Kamaru Usman for the third-longest streak in UFC history. Only Silva and Makhachev sit higher on the mountain with 16.
Dvalishvili speaks of this pursuit not with swagger, but with the practical gratitude of a man who knows the value of hard work and a packed schedule.
“That was my goal this year—to stay busy,” he says. “Thank you to the UFC for making it happen.”
His last loss came in 2018. Since then, he has built momentum the way great brands are built: consistently, relentlessly, with results that speak louder than slogans.
Yan knows what that feels like. Dvalishvili beat him once already, back in March 2023—an event remembered as much for Yan’s shove at weigh-ins as for the fight itself.
“That time, it was personal,” Dvalishvili admits. “Now, it’s competition. I respect him. He’s a great father, a good fighter. The only problem? He was bullying. He talked trash about me, about Aljamain, about our team. He didn’t give us respect.”
In a sport that often rewards noise, Dvalishvili is writing a different kind of headline—one built on discipline, decency, and the quiet confidence of a champion who knows that the most powerful message is performance.
TONIGHT: The End of an Era
The LAST UFC pay-per-view (in the U.S.) before Paramount+ begins in 2026. Merab Dvalishvili attempts to become the first UFC champion EVER to defend a title FOUR times in one calendar year!
⚡ WE GO LIVE ~10 PM ET as the Main Card starts!
MAIN EVENT: Merab Dvalishvili (c) vs. Petr Yan 2 - UFC Bantamweight Championship
The "Machine" aims for history against "No Mercy" in this highly anticipated rematch. Merab dominated March 2023, but Yan wants revenge. Can Merab's relentless pace overcome Yan's technical striking? Does Merab make UFC history tonight?
CO-MAIN:
Alexandre Pantoja (c) vs. Joshua Van - UFC Flyweight Championship
Pantoja defends his flyweight crown against surging Joshua Van.
FULL MAIN CARD:
Brandon Moreno vs. Tatsuro Taira - Former champ vs. undefeated prospect
Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott - "Triple C" returns at 38 against rising star
Jan Błachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov - Former champ climbs back
WHAT YOU GET TONIGHT:
✅ Real-time reactions to every significant moment from all three hosts
✅ Round-by-round scoring from Dave, Fred, and AJ
✅ Technical breakdowns between rounds
✅ Instant analysis of finishes and key exchanges
✅ Judging discussion for close rounds
✅ Unfiltered opinions on controversial decisions
️ THE RINGSIDE REPORT DIFFERENCE:
This isn't generic commentary. Dave Simon, Fred Garcia, and AJ D'Alesio bring technical MMA expertise with brutally honest analysis. No corporate talking points. No sugar-coating. Just real insights from the Combat Sports Authority.
LIVE CHAT: Drop your reactions throughout the night! We're monitoring comments and will respond to your takes
and questions.
⏰ TIMING:
Prelims: 8 PM ET (Sportsnet/ESPN2 / ESPN+ / Disney+ / FX)
MAIN CARD: 10 PM ET (ESPN+ PPV)
WE GO LIVE: ~10 PM ET
FULL CARD:
MAIN CARD (ESPN+ PPV):
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan (Bantamweight Title) | Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van (Flyweight Title) | Brandon Moreno vs. Tatsuro Taira | Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott | Jan Błachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov
PRELIMS (ESPN2 / ESPN+ / Disney+ / FX):
Grant Dawson vs. Manuel Torres | Terrance McKinney vs. Chris Duncan | Maycee Barber vs. Karine Silva | ****m Sadykhov vs. Farčs Ziam
EARLY PRELIMS (ESPN+ / Disney+ / FX):
Marvin Vettori vs. Brunno Ferreira | Edson Barboza vs. Jalin Turner | Iwo Baraniewski vs. İbo Aslan | Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Antonio Trócoli | Muhammad Naimov vs. Mairon Santos
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE:
This is the FINAL numbered UFC pay-per-view under the ESPN deal (in the U.S.). Starting January 2026 with UFC 324, all numbered events move to Paramount+ with no additional PPV fees for American subscribers.
Canadian Viewers: The Paramount+ deal does NOT apply to Canada. Sportsnet/TVA Sports retain Canadian rights with traditional PPV.
LET'S MAKE HISTORY TOGETHER!
Join Dave, Fred, and AJ for an unforgettable night! See you at 10 PM ET when that Octagon door closes!
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