UFC 323 results: Petr Yan claims title in classic, Joshua Van Stuns in 26 seconds | MMA UK

LAS VEGAS – The last numbered pay-per-view in UFC history did not disappoint. UFC 323, the promotion’s final event under the traditional PPV model before moving to Paramount+ the next year, delivered a night of upsets, dramatic finishes and a championship-changing performance in the main event.

Main Event: Yan exacts revenge and claims bantamweight crown

In a long-awaited rematch, Petr “No Mercy” Yan penned a masterful performance to regain the UFC bantamweight championship Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46).

Learning from his record-breaking takedown defeat in their first fight, Yan showed impeccable takedown defense and accurate counterattacks. He consistently landed the harder shots throughout the five-round war, quelling Dvalishvili’s relentless pressure and earning the nod from all three judges. The epic battle is rightly deserved “Fight of the Night” honor.

“I didn’t tell you any excuses this time,” a victorious Yan said inside the octagon. “I am the true champion. This belt is my home.”

Co-Main Event: 24-year-old Van writes history in 26 seconds

The most shocking moment of the evening occurred during the co-main event. Flyweight challenger Joshua Vanwho had rejected criticism of his age, devastatingly became one of the youngest champions in UFC history.

Just 26 seconds into the first round, Van defended a takedown attempt from the champion Alexandre Pantoja. During the fight, Pantoja’s arm was caught awkwardly, resulting in a fight-ending injury. The referee stopped the match and awarded Van the title via TKO due to the arm injury.

“They said I was too young,” Van shouted, holding up the belt. “This is for every dreamer! Age is nothing!”

Main card highlights: A legend retires, a new star rises

The main card was filled with pivotal moments for the future of the sport:

• Tatsuro Taira announced himself as a flyweight power and finished as a former champion Brandon Moreno with punches from backmount in the second round.
• Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo lost a unanimous decision to rising star Payton Talbott and subsequently announced his retirement from MMA. “My time is up. I leave it to the new generation,” Cejudo said.
• The light heavyweight fight between Jan Blachowicz And Bogdan Guskov ended in a rare majority draw.

Preliminary finishes and bonuses

The preliminary card was a showcase for violent finishes:

• Manuel Torres And Iwo Baraniewski each deserved one $50,000 “Performance of the Night” Bonus. Torres knocked out Grant Dawson with a brutal uppercut, while Baraniewski flattened Ibo Aslan in the first round.
• Other notable finishes came from Chris Duncan (anaconda choke), Jalin Turner (KO in the first round), and Mansur Abdul-Malik (standing guillotine in 69 seconds).

The end of an era

UFC 323 marked the conclusion of a 32-year business model. Starting in 2026, numbered UFC events will no longer be sold as traditional pay-per-views in the United States, but will instead be available to stream on Paramount+ at no additional cost as part of the promotion’s new media rights deal.

The event provided a fitting farewell: championship drama, a stunning youth movement and the retirement of a legend, closing one chapter of UFC history as another began.