Ryan Wohl shares his predictions for UFC 323 PPV, featuring a main event showdown between Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan 2, along with Alexandre Pantoja taking on Joshua Van.
This Saturday, Merab Dvalishvili will defend his Bantamweight championship against former titleholder Petr Yan in the main event of UFC 323. Dvalishvili triumphed over Yan in their previous encounter in 2023 by unanimous decision. The card also includes a Flyweight championship bout between Alexandre Pantoja and Joshua Van.
The Early Prelims will commence at 6:00 p.m. ET, followed by the Prelims at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Main Card for UFC 323 starts at 10:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV. Be sure to check out my top fighter selections for your daily fantasy lineups for Saturday’s UFC 323 PPV.
You can set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $500K UFC 323 Special [$100K to 1st]
Merab Dvalishvili ($9,500)
Merab Dvalishvili, the defending champion and the second most expensive competitor on this card, is a must-consider fighter. Averaging 125.5 fantasy points per fight, he leads by over 25 points compared to the next best fighter on the card. Coming off an impressive 219.5-point showing against Cory Sandhagen in October, Dvalishvili continues to evolve.
Dvalishvili decisively defeated Yan in their first match, earning a score of 50-45 from all three judges. He delivered 72 more significant strikes and achieved 11 takedowns. Although Yan has an 85% takedown defense rate, Dvalishvili’s relentless style allows him to eventually take fights to the ground. He averages 6.40 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 4.33 significant strikes per minute while absorbing only 2.55 strikes per minute.
In their initial meeting, Dvalishvili scored 167.2 fantasy points against Yan. With continuous improvements, he enters this fight as a more dangerous contender. His $9,500 price tag reflects a level of consistency unmatched by others on this event.
Grant Dawson ($8,900)
Grant Dawson boasts an impressive 11-1-1 record in his 13 UFC fights and is a value pick for fantasy scoring. He has secured at least 100 points in three consecutive bouts and in five of his last seven outings. Dawson is on a three-fight winning streak since his first UFC loss to King Green.
Dawson faces Manuel Torres in a prominent three-round Lightweight bout on the prelim card. Torres recently achieved a first-round knockout against Drew Dober in March and is recognized for his striking abilities. However, Dawson excels in overall fight skills.
While Torres averages 7.87 significant strikes, Dawson has the capability to limit that output, allowing only 2.11 strikes per minute. He excels on the ground with nearly four takedowns per 15 minutes at a 40% success rate. If Dawson stifles Torres’ early aggression, he is in an excellent position for a standout performance.
Terrance McKinney ($7,600)
Terrance “T-Wrecks” McKinney is celebrated for his exciting fighting style, having concluded all 24 of his professional MMA fights by knockout or submission. Currently on a two-fight winning streak, both victories came in the first round, including a recent win against Viacheslav Borshchev at UFC 317.
McKinney has scored 121 fantasy points in his last two outings and has achieved at least 100 points in four of his last five fights. His opponent, Chris Duncan, is also performing well, having won three straight bouts. McKinney possesses a two-inch reach advantage (73″ vs. 71″).
In this bout, McKinney averages more significant strikes and takedowns per minute compared to Duncan. Despite the tough matchup, McKinney’s $7,600 cost presents significant value. He has showcased the ability to finish opponents on any front, making him a formidable asset in your fantasy lineup.
You can set your DraftKings fantasy MMA lineups here: UFC $500K UFC 323 Special [$100K to 1st]
