UFC 323 saw Petr Yan reclaim the bantamweight title with a dominant performance against Merab Dvalishvili, while Joshua Van became the new flyweight champion after Alexandre Pantoja suffered an injury, marking a night of unexpected outcomes and notable performances.
UFC 323 is done and dusted, and guess what? Two new champs are in town. In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja’s reign ended abruptly due to an early injury against Joshua Van. Meanwhile, Petr Yan shocked everyone by dominating Merab Dvalishvili to reclaim the bantamweight title.
Unexpected, right? And there were plenty more surprises, so let’s break down all the big stories from UFC 323.
First up, a quick review. Heck called it one of the year’s best events, filled with twists. Martin saw it as a fitting end to the pay-per-view era, with surprises and retirements. Meshew reminded us why we love this sport—unpredictability.
Now, did Petr Yan just deliver the year’s best performance? Lee thinks Denzel Freeman’s win was tough to beat, but Yan’s comeback is undeniable. Heck believes Yan’s dominance was unmatched, putting him in the bantamweight GOAT conversation. Martin and Meshew agree that context matters, but Yan’s win was spectacular.
The co-main event? Joshua Van is the new champ, but questions linger. Lee and Meshew feel it’s a legitimate win, despite the circumstances. Heck and Martin acknowledge the unfortunate injury but credit Van’s quick reaction.
Who stole the show? Lee loved the wild prelim between Iwo Baraniewski and Ibo Aslan. Heck gave a nod to Tatsuro Taira for his impressive win over Brandon Moreno. Martin highlighted Payton Talbott‘s comeback, while Meshew praised Jalin Turner‘s return.
And the biggest loser? Lee points to Merab Dvalishvili and Alexandre Pantoja GOAT truthers. Heck thinks Grant Dawson‘s championship hopes took a hit. Martin notes Dvalishvili’s grueling schedule cost him his title, and Meshew couldn’t resist a jab at Dominick Cruz‘s hot take.
That’s a wrap on UFC 323—full of surprises, standout performances, and a few tough breaks. Who knows what’s next?