The UFC is ready to shut out its 2025 pay-per-view schedule with a blockbuster event in Las Vegas. UFC 323, slated for December 6 on the T-Mobile Arena, is not going to only feature two championship bouts but additionally marks the tip of the promotion’s current broadcast partnership with ESPN before a brand new media deal begins in 2026. The cardboard is headlined by a highly anticipated bantamweight title rematch and includes a roster of established champions, former titleholders, and rising contenders trying to make their mark. Among the many exciting matchups confirmed is a light-weight contest between Fares Ziam and Nazim Sadykhov, adding one other layer of intrigue to an already loaded event.
Lightweight Strikers Clash in High-Stakes Bout
Farès Ziam will fight Nazim Sadykhov at #UFC323 on December sixth. #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2025 pic.twitter.com/Vq8wS3vWD2
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) October 13, 2025
A compelling lightweight battle has been added to the UFC 323 lineup, as France’s Fares “Smile Killer” Ziam is scheduled to tackle Nazim “The Black Wolf” Sadykhov. This fight pits two ascending talents against one another, each known for his or her striking prowess and each currently having fun with significant momentum within the stacked 155-pound division. Ziam enters the competition on a formidable five-fight winning streak, a run that features notable victories over Jai Herbert and Mike Davis, in addition to a memorable knockout of Matt Frevola. The 28-year-old has demonstrated considerable growth and poise during his recent outings, showcasing a technical and versatile striking arsenal that has made him a formidable presence. A victory at a high-profile event like UFC 323 would undoubtedly be the most important of his profession and will propel him into the divisional rankings.
Across the octagon stands Nazim Sadykhov, an Azerbaijani fighter who has been on a tear of his own. Sadykhov rides a 12-fight unbeaten streak into this matchup, a testament to his ending ability and aggressive style. Most recently, he delivered a spectacular knockout in front of a house crowd at a UFC Fight Night in Baku. His exciting, fan-friendly approach has quickly made him a fighter to observe, and this bout against Ziam represents a big step up in competition. For Sadykhov, a win over a fighter on Ziam’s current trajectory would function a serious statement and validate his position as a serious threat within the lightweight landscape. With each men within the prime of their careers and possessing the ability to finish the fight at any moment, this matchup is a can’t-miss attraction on the UFC 323 card.
Championship Gold on the Line in Dual Title Fights
Merab Dvalishvili faces Petr Yan on December sixth at UFC 323 🇬🇪🇷🇺
👊 Who you bought? I personally got Merab he’s just too strong brotha pic.twitter.com/wEq9xdX5h5
— RushGodMMA (@RushGodMMA) October 16, 2025
The principal event of UFC 323 will see a pivotal rematch for the bantamweight championship because the reigning king, Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili, defends his title against former champion Petr “No Mercy” Yan. This fight is an enchanting clash of styles, pitting Dvalishvili’s relentless wrestling and cardio against Yan’s technical and powerful striking. Dvalishvili has been on a historic run in 2025, and a win would mark his fourth successful title defense of the calendar 12 months, a feat unprecedented in UFC history. He previously defeated Yan by a dominant unanimous decision in March 2023, and has since gone on to capture the title and defend it against top contenders like Sean O’Malley and Cory Sandhagen. Yan, meanwhile, has rebuilt his way back to a title shot with impressive wins over Song Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo, adamant that he’s a much-improved fighter since their first encounter.
Within the co-main event, the flyweight title shall be up for grabs as dominant champion Alexandre “The Cannibal” Pantoja puts his belt on the road against surging contender Joshua “The Fearless” Van. Pantoja has looked nearly unbeatable during his reign, having successfully defended his title 4 times since capturing it in 2023. His high-pressure grappling and submission skills have overwhelmed his recent opponents, including back-to-back submission victories. He faces a young and hungry challenger in Joshua Van, who earned his title opportunity after a “Fight of the 12 months” contender against Brandon Royval. At just 24 years old, Van has the possibility to grow to be the second-youngest champion in UFC history if he can dethrone the formidable Pantoja.
A Historic Night with a Stacked Undercard
UFC 323 in December is looking 🔥🔥#UFC323 pic.twitter.com/88KmQxXvOm
— DiaztwinsMMA (@DiaztwinsMMA) October 14, 2025
Beyond the title fights, UFC 323 is loaded with significant matchups that carry major implications for his or her respective divisions. The event will feature the return of former two-division champion and Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo, who looks to snap a three-fight skid against rising bantamweight Payton Talbott. In the sunshine heavyweight division, former champion Jan Błachowicz goals to get back within the win column against the hard-hitting Bogdan Guskov, who has earned his shot at a top-ranked opponent with 4 consecutive stoppage victories. The cardboard also features a critical flyweight bout between former champion Brandon Moreno and the undefeated Tatsuro Taira, a middleweight clash between Marvin Vettori and Brunno Ferreira, and a women’s flyweight contest featuring Maycee Barber against Karine Silva. As the ultimate UFC event on the ESPN pay-per-view model, the promotion has assembled a card worthy of closing a big chapter in its history, promising an evening of high-stakes motion from top to bottom.