The quite greatness of UFC 323
While some superstars captivate audiences with hyperbole or theatrics, the two champions headlining the final pay-per-view of the ESPN era have earned their spotlight through countless hours of relentless work.
In the main event of UFC 323, Merab Dvalishvili looks to defend the UFC bantamweight title for a record fourth time in a single calendar year. The bout is a rematch with Petr Yan, whom Dvalishvili defeated by unanimous decision in March 2023 — the fifth win in what has become a staggering 14-fight streak.
Climbing to the top of the mountain is a lifelong dream. Staying there is where immortality is made. Once you conquer Everest, the challengers line up, and the opportunity to carve out a legacy truly begins.
If he’s not already considered the greatest bantamweight of all time, Dvalishvili’s résumé is becoming harder and harder to deny. For years Dominick Cruz was unanimously regarded as the division’s GOAT. He won the WEC title and defended it twice before the division merged into the UFC, where he was elevated to champion and defended the belt two more times before injuries derailed his reign.
Cruz’s five championship victories came across 19 months. Merab is on the doorstep of matching that mark in just 15 months. Since dethroning Sean O’Malley, he has won the rematch in emphatic fashion and added defenses against Umar Nurmagomedov and Cory Sandhagen. Cruz authored a legendary 12-fight win streak; Dvalishvili is riding an even more impressive 14-fight tear. Like Cruz, Merab has displayed everything a champion is expected to embody — discipline, consistency, and dominance.
And the scariest part? He’s still evolving. It’s not just the wins and title defenses — it’s how he wins. He weaponizes cardio like few fighters in history. Fatigue can cripple even the most dangerous opponents, and “The Machine” simply never stops coming. Even when the stats appear close, none of his three title defenses have ever felt competitive; the way challengers fade under his pressure says everything about the greatness we’re witnessing.
The flyweight title is also on the line in the co-main event as Alexandre Pantoja defends against Joshua Van. This week Van stated that, in his short five-year career, he considers Pantoja the greatest flyweight in UFC history. Few would agree with that assessment.
Demetrious Johnson, the inaugural UFC flyweight champion, set the nearly untouchable bar with 11 consecutive title defenses — a reign that ended before Van even began training.
Still, with four defenses of his own, Pantoja has separated himself as the clear second-greatest flyweight ever. After grueling battles with Brandon Moreno and Brandon Royval, “The Cannibal” has turned in dominant rear-naked-choke victories over Kai Asakura and Kai Kara-France.
While being an influencer and worrying about material can be at the forefront Pantoja has been different. Growing up without his father being present Pantoja has made being a father for his kids part of who he is as a fighter.
The champions atop UFC 323 may not be the most bombastic or boisterous, but both are charging down a legendary trajectory.
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