New York: Merab Dvalishvili and Alexandre Pantoja have successfully made weight ahead of their highly anticipated championship bouts at UFC 323, setting the stage for an action-packed night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Both fighters cleared their respective limits during Friday’s official weigh-ins, confirming their readiness for two crucial title fights.
Championship Fighters on Weight
Dvalishvili hit the bantamweight mark at 135 lbs, as did former champion Petr Yan, ahead of their rematch for the 135-lb belt. Dvalishvili will attempt to create history by becoming the first UFC fighter to defend a championship four times in a single calendar year.
In the co-main event, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja weighed in at 125 lbs, while challenger Joshua Van came in at 124.5 lbs, setting up an electrifying title defense. Pantoja will aim for his fifth consecutive championship retention, a feat that would solidify his dominance in the division.
Weight Misses Cause Catchweight Bouts
The weigh-ins were not without drama.
- Brunno Ferreira appeared visibly drained as he missed the middleweight limit by 3 lbs, registering 189 lbs for his fight against Marvin Vettori. Their contest will now proceed at catchweight, with Ferreira forfeiting 20% of his purse.
- Mairon Santos, winner of The Ultimate Fighter 32, also failed to make the featherweight limit, weighing 147.5 lbs. His fight against Muhammad Naimov will also continue at catchweight, and Santos will surrender 20% of his fight earnings.
UFC 323: Official Fight Card
Main Card – Las Vegas
- Merab Dvalishvili (135.0) vs. Petr Yan (135.0) – Bantamweight Title
- Alexandre Pantoja (125.0) vs. Joshua Van (124.5) – Flyweight Title
- Brandon Moreno (125.0) vs. Tatsuro Taira (126.0)
- Henry Cejudo (136.0) vs. Payton Talbott (136.0)
- Jan Blachowicz (206.0) vs. Bogdan Guskov (206.0)
Preliminary Card
- Grant Dawson (156.0) vs. Manuel Torres (156.0)
- Terrance McKinney (156.0) vs. Chris Duncan (156.0)
- Maycee Barber (125.5) vs. Karine Silva (125.5)
- Nazim Sadykhov (155.5) vs. Fares Ziam (156.0)
Early Prelims
- Marvin Vettori (186.0) vs. Brunno Ferreira (189.0)*
- Edson Barboza (155.5) vs. Jalin Turner (155.0)
- Iwo Baraniewski (206.0) vs. Ibo Aslan (205.5)
- Mansur Abdul-Malik (185.5) vs. Antonio Trocoli (186.0)
- Muhammad Naimov (146.0) vs. Mairon Santos (147.5)**
* Ferreira missed weight — fight at catchweight
** Santos missed weight — fight at catchweight
High Stakes for Both Champions
With two title bouts headlining UFC 323, both Dvalishvili and Pantoja are fighting not just to defend their belts but to strengthen their legacies among UFC elites. Their successful weigh-ins have only heightened anticipation for an explosive night of mixed martial arts in Las Vegas.
