Your Guide to the UFC 323 Prelims
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UFC 323 is set to deliver fireworks early and often on Saturday, December 6 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The main event features a must-see matchup as Merab Dvalishvili puts his UFC Bantamweight Championship on the line against Petr Yan. A rematch from their first fight in 2023 where Merab won via unanimous decision. Also on the card is a clash between UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van in the co main event.
But as always, this edition of Guide to the Prelims won’t be focused on the star-studded main card. Instead, we’re diving deep into the early action that hardcore fans won’t want to miss.
Here is everything you need to know in this guide to the UFC 323 prelims:
How to Watch UFC 323:
Fares Ziam vs. Nazim Sadykhov
Two fighters on the cusp of breaking into the top 15 at lightweight meet in this compelling matchup. Ziam, a 28 year old from France, has an ideal frame for the division. He enters on a five-fight win streak, unbeaten since 2022.
Ziam is hoping to make the leap from an exciting prospect to legitimate title contender. Across from him stands Azerbaijan’s Nazim Sadykhov, riding an impressive 11-fight win streak. He faced tough competition throughout 2025, finishing both opponents by KO/TKO. At 31, he’ll be the shorter man in the cage, but brings a wealth of momentum into the bout.
Marvin Vettori vs. Brunno Ferreira
When two middleweight sluggers collide, fireworks tend to follow. Both fighters will be willing to stand and trade. Vettori, a former title challenger, enters the fight on a three-fight skid despite notable improvements in his grappling. The 32-year-old Italian has long competed among the elite of the division and, incredibly, has never been finished.
Ferreira, known for his knockout power, has never gone to the judges’ scorecards in his career. Surprisingly, he picked up back-to-back submission wins in his last two outings. So what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? Something has to give, and fans get to enjoy finding out which.
Ibo Aslan vs. Iwo Baraniewski
It’s always exciting when two light heavyweight powerhouses are matched up. Ibo Aslan finished both of his opponents in 2024, but has dropped both of his 2025 fights so far. A win here would help get him back on track heading into the new year.
Iwo Baraniewski enters undefeated, making his UFC debut after scoring a 20-second TKO on Contender Series this year. It’s tough to predict how he’ll fare after such a short showcase. However, he brings serious Polish power into the matchup. This fight will probably end quickly, one way or another, someone will get put to sleep.
Grant Dawson vs. Manuel Torres
Grant Dawson returns to the lightweight rankings. His last loss was a quick knockout back in 2023. Since then, he’s won three straight and appears sharper with each outing. His pressure, cardio, and grappling overwhelm and break his opponents. Manuel Torres, meanwhile, is the definition of a fast starter. He hasn’t seen a second round since joining the UFC. Win or lose, his fights rarely last long, with many fights ending within a minute.
Torres has shown the ability to secure submissions and knockouts. However, in the UFC, he’s primarily found success with his striking. This is a prime example of a fight where if you blink you might miss it. Will Dawson drag the fight out and wear down Torres in the later rounds? Or will Torres continue to make quick work on fight night?
Honorable Mentions
Maycee Barber remains one to watch, especially after being forced out of her last two scheduled bouts due to health issues. Still, she’s been placed in the featured prelim spot, a clear sign the UFC has not lost faith. She takes on Karine Silva, who is seeking her second win of 2025.
Mansur Abdul-Malik, still undefeated, looks to erase the frustration from his last outing, which was overturned from a majority-decision win to a majority draw. He earned a UFC contract on last year’s Contender Series. His opponent, Antonio Trócoli, also won a contract on Contender Series back in 2019. But that result was overturned after a failed drug test for PEDs.
Mairon Santos, the featherweight winner of TUF Season 32, makes his return to 145 pounds after competing at lightweight in his last bout. The 25-year-old Brazilian has an inspiring journey to the UFC, and now training full time in Las Vegas. His growth has the potential to be exponential now that he has established himself and has financial security to fully focus on fighting.
Don’t sleep on the Prelims!
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