On Saturday, college football’s most prestigious individual honor will be handed out, with the Heisman Trophy being awarded to the young man deemed to be the most outstanding player in the sport.

While the winner won’t be announced until Dec. 13, the four players vying for the famed, 45-pound bronze trophy have been revealed.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love are the finalists for the 2025 Heisman Trophy, with ESPN announcing the group on Monday, Dec. 8.

Mendoza and Pavia are in line to make history for their respective programs, as neither Indiana nor Vanderbilt has ever produced a Heisman winner.

Twelve of the past 15 Heisman recipients have been quarterbacks, though only three of the past five. Last season, Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter took home the award.

Unlike Hunter, whose Buffaloes team went 9-3 in the 2024 regular season, each of the Heisman finalists played on teams that won at least 10 games, including Mendoza and Sayin, whose squads earned first-round byes in the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Love had some history on his side, though. Since 1955, a running back or halfback has won the Heisman in every year that ends in a five, a trend that most recently saw Alabama running back and future NFL All-Pro Derrick Henry hoist the trophy.

In what has become an increasingly transient sport over the past several years, threeof the Heisman finalists are transfers. Mendoza is in his first season at Indiana after transferring from Cal, Pavia is in his second season at Vanderbilt after coming in from New Mexico State and Sayin was an early enrollee at Alabama who spent about a month with the Crimson Tide before transferring to Ohio State shortly after legendary coach Nick Saban’s retirement in Jan. 2024.

Who are the finalists for the Heisman Trophy?

Here’s a look at the four finalists for the 2025 Heisman Trophy:

• QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
• QB Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
• QB Julian Sayin, Ohio State
• RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Heisman Trophy ceremony date

The 2025 Heisman Trophy will be awarded during a ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. ET from Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room in New York City.

The ceremony will air on ABC.

Fernando Mendoza stats

In his first season with the Hoosiers, Mendoza has completed 71.5% of his passes for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has also rushed for 240 yards and six touchdowns. He led Indiana to a program-record 13 wins, the Hoosiers’ first Big Ten championship game victory and the program’s first undefeated regular season since 1945.

Mendoza had only thrown for a combined 30 touchdowns in his first two seasons of college football, both of which came at Cal.

Mendoza’s 33 touchdown passes are the most among FBS players. He’s tied for second nationally, along with Pavia, in yards per attempt (9.4) and is sixth in completion percentage.

Diego Pavia stats

Pavia improved upon what was already a stellar debut season for Vanderbilt, completing 71.2% of his passes for 3,192 yards, 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He added 826 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

He’s second among all FBS players in total yards per game, with 334.8, ranking him behind only South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown.

With Pavia at quarterback, the Commodores have gone 17-9 the past two seasons, including a 10-2 mark this season that set a program record for wins. Vanderbilt went just 12-45 in the four seasons before Pavia transferred there.

Julian Sayin stats

In his first season as a starter, Sayin has completed 78.4% of his passes for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns and six interceptions.

He’s tied for second among all FBS quarterbacks in touchdown passes, behind only Mendoza, and his completion percentage is currently an FBS single-season record.

Jeremiyah Love stats

The lone non-quarterback of the group, Love has rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns this season while averaging 6.9 yards per carry. Love had been a receiving threat out of the backfield, too, with 27 catches for 280 yards and three touchdowns.

Love is third among all FBS players in rushing touchdowns and fourth in rushing yards.

Every week for the duration of the 2025 regular season, USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates to the NFL’s ever-evolving playoff picture − typically starting Sunday afternoon and then moving forward for the remainder of the week (through Monday’s and Thursday’s games or Saturday’s, if applicable. And, when the holidays roll around, we’ll be watching then, too).

What just happened? What does it mean? What are the pertinent factors (and, perhaps, tiebreakers) prominently in play as each conference’s seven-team bracket begins to crystallize? All will be explained and analyzed up to the point when the postseason field is finalized on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Here’s where things stand with Week 14 nearly complete:

AFC playoff picture

1. Denver Broncos (11-2), AFC West leaders: They beat the Raiders on Sunday, winning their 10th in a row, matching New England’s victory total and overtaking the Patriots for possession of the top seed by virtue of a conference record (7-2) that is a half-game better. Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, vs. Jaguars, at Chiefs, vs. Chargers

2. New England Patriots (11-2), AFC East leaders: The first team in the league to reach 11 wins thanks to Monday night’s rollover of the Giants, the Pats remain in a very tight race with Denver, the teams’ airtight tiebreakers now in effect with the Broncos playing their 13th game Sunday. Remaining schedule: vs. Bills, at Ravens, at Jets, vs. Dolphins

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4), AFC South leaders: They claimed first place outright by smashing the depleted Colts on Sunday in Duval County. Remaining schedule: vs. Jets, at Broncos, vs. Colts, at Titans

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6), AFC North leaders: They jumped up nine spots, from out of the field back into the division lead by winning at Baltimore on Sunday. Remaining schedule: vs. Dolphins, at Lions, at Browns, vs. Ravens

5. Buffalo Bills (9-4), wild card No. 1: Massive win over Cincinnati solidifies their playoff standing heading into a notable showdown at Foxborough in Week 15 to face the AFC East-leading Pats. Remaining schedule: at Patriots, at Browns, vs. Eagles, vs. Jets

6. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4), wild card No. 2: Facing the NFC’s Eagles on Monday night basically won’t serve them well in tiebreaker department even if Bolts win. Remaining schedule: vs. Eagles, at Chiefs, at Cowboys, vs. Texans, at Broncos

7. Houston Texans (8-5), wild card No. 3: They’ve won six of seven, including five in a row. Beating the Chiefs at Arrowhead moved Houston into a wild-card slot by virtue of their Week 13 defeat of Indianapolis. Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals, vs. Raiders, at Chargers, vs. Colts

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-5), in the hunt: They’ve dropped four of their past five and lost QB Daniel Jones to an Achilles injury Sunday in Jacksonville. Houston’s win Sunday night dropped Indy from the projected field entirely. And the schedule doesn’t let up the rest of the way. Remaining schedule: at Seahawks, vs. 49ers, vs. Jaguars, at Texans

9. Baltimore Ravens (6-7), in the hunt: Consecutive losses − and to AFC North foes (Bengals, Steelers) − has them on the outside looking in. A 4-5 record in AFC games places them ahead of K.C. and Miami. Remaining schedule: at Bengals, vs. Patriots, at Packers, at Steelers

10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-7), in the hunt: Their chances to win a 10th straight AFC West title are officially null and void. And Sunday night’s loss to Houston means they’ll likely miss the postseason for the first time since 2014 − Andy Reid’s second year in K.C. And don’t forget they’ve lost to the Broncos, Chargers, Bills, Texans and Jags, who are all ahead of them. Remaining schedule: vs. Chargers, at Titans, vs. Broncos, at Raiders

11. Miami Dolphins (6-7), in the hunt: They probably need to win the remainder of their games to even have a shot at postseason qualification but notched another one Sunday in New York. Remaining schedule: at Steelers, vs. Bengals, vs. Buccaneers, at Patriots

12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-9), in the hunt: They basically need to win the remainder of their games to even have a shot at postseason qualification … though they probably have a better one than Miami by virtue of living in this year’s surprisingly subpar AFC North. Remaining schedule: vs. Ravens, at Dolphins, vs. Cardinals, vs. Browns

NFC playoff picture

1. Los Angeles Rams (10-3), NFC West leaders: They regained the inside track for home-field advantage and a first-round bye by demolishing the Cardinals and benefiting from Chicago’s loss to Green Bay. The Rams’ Week 11 defeat of Seattle remains pivotal. Remaining schedule: vs. Lions, at Seahawks, at Falcons, vs. Cardinals

2. Green Bay Packers (9-3-1), NFC North leaders: They got the best of the archrival Bears, consequential win that put the Pack back on top of the division and just a half-game off the conference pace. Remaining schedule: at Broncos, at Bears, vs. Ravens, at Vikings

3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4), NFC East leaders: Two losses in a row not only mean a lot more scrutiny but − beware − a team that could still fall into the Cowboys’ clutches in the division if it’s not careful. Remaining schedule: at Chargers, vs. Raiders, at Commanders, at Bills, vs. Commanders

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6), NFC South leaders: They remain in first place despite a damaging loss to New Orleans. The Bucs currently have a one-game lead over Carolina in the common-games tiebreaker department. Remaining schedule: vs. Falcons, at Panthers, at Dolphins, vs. Panthers

5. Seattle Seahawks (10-3), wild card No. 1: Sunday’s rout of Falcons moved them atop the conference … for a few hours. But the Rams’ win at Arizona pushed Seattle back to the wild-card echelon. All three of the ‘Hawks’ losses are against NFC opponents, including two in the division − defeats that don’t serve them well in the tiebreaker department. Remaining schedule: vs. Colts, vs. Rams, at Panthers, at 49ers

6. San Francisco 49ers (9-4), wild card No. 2: They’re in a precarious spot given their pursuers, yet are just behind the Rams and Seahawks for the NFC West lead. Off this weekend, the Niners were in no danger of vacating the field. Remaining schedule: vs. Titans, at Colts, vs. Bears, vs. Seahawks

7. Chicago Bears (9-4), wild card No. 3: How tightly packed is the NFC? One narrow loss dropped the Bears from first place in the conference to seventh, just a game ahead of the division rival Lions. Remaining schedule: vs. Browns, vs. Packers, at 49ers, vs. Lions

8. Detroit Lions (8-5), in the hunt: Huge win over Dallas on Thursday night. It brought the Lions within a game of the NFC’s final wild card and helped them in the division standings given Chicago’s Sunday reversal. Remaining schedule: at Rams, vs. Steelers, at Vikings, at Bears

9. Carolina Panthers (7-6), in the hunt: Though Carolina is off this week, the Panthers basically pulled even atop the NFC South. Remaining schedule: at Saints, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Seahawks, at Buccaneers

10. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1), in the hunt: Crippling loss Thursday in Motown. Dallas’ best bet now is probably to hope the Eagles continue to struggle and leave the NFC East in play. Remaining schedule: vs. Vikings, vs. Chargers, at Commanders, at Giants

NFL teams eliminated from playoff contention in 2025

The NCAA volleyball tournament field has been narrowed to 16 teams.

Fifteen of the top 16 seeds advanced over the first and second rounds and will begin Sweet 16 play on Thursday, Dec. 11 or Friday, Dec. 12.

Cal Poly produced the lone upset, taking down No. 4 seed USC in the Lexington regional. The Mustangs will face Kentucky, the No. 1 seed in the region, on Thursday.

No. 1 overall seed Nebraska advanced by sweeping Kansas State and Long Island University in the first and second round, respectively. The Huskers face Kansas in the round of 16 on Friday. No. 1 seed Pittsburgh will be in action Thursday, and No. 1 seed Texas opens Sweet 16 play on Friday.

The 2025 NCAA women’s volleyball Final Four will be held at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. It’s the third time since 2010 that the venue has hosted the volleyball national championship.

When is NCAA women’s volleyball Sweet 16?

• Date: Dec. 11 and 13 or Dec. 12 and 14
• Time: Four matches each day, beginning at 1 p.m. ET Thursday and noon ET Friday. Match-by-match times below.

How to watch NCAA volleyball tournament

• Streaming: ESPN+ ∣ Fubo (free trial)

The 2025 NCAA women’s volleyball tournament will air across the ESPN and ABC family of networks. Games can be streamed ESPN+, ESPN’s subscription streaming service, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Watch NCAA volleyball tournament on Fubo

NCAA volleyball Sweet 16 schedule: Times, TV

All times Eastern

Thursday, Dec. 11

• No. 2 Arizona State vs. No. 3 Creighton, 1 p.m. | ESPN2
• No. 1 Kentucky vs. Cal Poly, 3:30 p.m. | ESPN2
• No. 4 Minnesota vs. No. 1 Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. | ESPN2
• No. 2 SMU vs. No. 3 Purdue, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2

Friday, Dec. 12

• No. 1 Texas vs. No. 4 Indiana, 12 p.m. | ESPN
• No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 2 Stanford, 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
• No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 2 Louisville, 7 p.m. | ESPN2
• No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 4 Kansas, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2

NCAA volleyball second-round results

Lexington bracket

• No. 1 Kentucky 3, No. 8 UCLA 1 (30-28, 25-16, 28-30, 25-17)
• No. 3 Creighton 3, No. 6 Northern Iowa 1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21)
• No. 2 Arizona State 3, Utah State 1 (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15)
• Cal Poly 3, No. 4 USC 2 (25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 14-25, 15-7)

Austin bracket

• No. 4 Indiana 3, No. 5 Colorado 0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-23)
• No. 3 Wisconsin 3, North Carolina 0 (25-14, 25-21, 27-25)
• No. 1 Texas 1, No. 8 Penn State 0 (25-16, 25-9, 25-19)
• No. 2 Stanford 3, Arizona 1 (25-16, 25-27, 25-17, 25-20)

Pittsburgh bracket

• No. 3 Purdue 3, No. 6 Baylor 1 (25-16, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20)
• No. 1 Pittsburgh 3, Michigan 0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-18)
• No. 2 SMU 3, Florida 0 (25-11, 25-21, 26-24)
• No. 4 Minnesota 3, No. 5 Iowa State 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-14)

Lincoln bracket

• No. 4 Kansas 3, No. 5 Miami 1 (25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 27-25)
• No. 2 Louisville 3, Marquette 2 (21-25, 25-11, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12)
• No. 1 Nebraska 3, Kansas State 0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-16)
• No. 3 Texas A&M 3, No. 6 TCU 1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 29-27)

NCAA volleyball first-round results

Lexington bracket

• No. 1 Kentucky 3, Wofford 0 (25-11, 25-19, 25-12)
• No. 8 UCLA 3, Georgia Tech 2 (24-26, 25-19, 25-23, 25-18, 15-10)
• Cal Poly 3, No. 5 BYU 2 (25-19, 17-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-10)
• No. 4 USC 3, Princeton 0, (25-19, 25-12, 25-13)
• No. 3 Creighton 3, Northern Colorado 2 (12-25, 25-23,25-23,17-25, 8-15)
• No. 6 Northern Iowa 3, Utah 2 (15-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-10)
• Utah State 3, No. 7 Tennessee 2 (25-19, 25-15, 19-25, 25-18, 15-11)
• No. 2 Arizona State 3, Coppin State 0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-12)

Austin bracket

• No. 1 Texas 3, Florida A&M 0 (25-11, 25- 8, 25-14)
• No. 8 Penn State 3, South Florida 1 (25-23, 12-25, 25-21, 25-19)
• No. 5 Colorado 3, American 0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-16)
• No. 4 Indiana 3, Toledo 0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-17)
• No. 3 Wisconsin 3, Eastern Illinois 0 (25-11, 25-6, 25-19)
• North Carolina 3, No. 6 UTEP 1 (24-26, 25-11, 25-18, 25-21)
• Arizona 3, No. 7 South Dakota State 1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 25-15)
• No. 2 Stanford 3, Utah Valley 1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-13, 25-14)

Pittsburgh bracket

• No. 1 Pitt 3, UMBC 0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-13)
• Michigan 3, No. 8 Xavier 0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-23)
• No. 5 Iowa State 3, St. Thomas-Minnesota 2 (21-25, 25-13, 25-16, 21-25, 15-8)
• No. 4 Minnesota 3, Fairfield 0 (25-12, 25-7, 25-13)
• No. 3 Purdue 3, Wright State 0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-19)
• No. 6 Baylor 3, Arkansas State 2 (23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 23-25, 15-10)
• Florida 3, No. 7 Rice 0 (27-25, 25-23, 25-19)
• No. 2 SMU 3, Central Arkansas 0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-13)

Lincoln bracket

• No. 1 Nebraska 3, Long Island 0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-17)
• Kansas State 3, San Diego 2 (21-25, 25-17, 26-28, 25-22, 15-12)
• No. 5 Miami 3, Tulsa 1 (25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 25-20)
• No. 4 Kansas 3, High Point 0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-18)
• No. 3 Texas A&M 3, Campbell 0 (25-20, 25-10, 25-13)
• No. 6 TCU 3, Stephen F. Austin 0 (25-8, 26-24, 25-20)
• Marquette 3, Western Kentucky 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-16)
• No. 2 Louisville 3, Loyola (Illinois) 0 (25-17, 25-9, 25-12)

NCAA volleyball tournament rounds

• Regionals: Dec. 11 and 13 or Dec. 12 and 14
• Semifinals: Thursday, Dec. 18, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. ET
• National championship: Sunday, Dec. 21, 3:30 p.m. ET

NCAA volleyball tournament automatic qualifiers

Here’s a look at the 31 teams that earned automatic berths to the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament by virtue of winning their conferences:

• ACC: Stanford
• American: Tulsa
• American East: UMBC
• Atlantic Sun: Central Arkansas
• Atlantic 10: Loyola (Illinois)
• Big East: Creighton
• Big Sky: Northern Colorado
• Big South: High Point
• Big Ten: Nebraska
• Big 12: Arizona State
• Big West: Cal Poly
• CAA: Campbell
• Conference USA: Western Kentucky
• Horizon: Wright State
• Ivy: Princeton
• MAAC: Fairfield
• MAC: Toledo
• MEAC: Coppin State
• Missouri Valley: Northern Iowa
• Mountain West: Utah State
• NEC: Long Island
• Ohio Valley: Eastern Illinois
• Patriot: American
• SEC: Kentucky
• SoCon: Wofford
• Southland: Stephen F. Austin
• SWAC: Florida A&M
• Summit: St. Thomas
• Sun Belt: Arkansas State
• WAC: Utah Valley
• WCC: San Diego

When is the NCAA volleyball Final Four in 2025?

• Dates: Thursday, Dec. 18 and Sunday, Dec. 21

The two semifinal matches in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament will take place on Thursday, Dec. 18 and will be broadcast on ESPN. The national championship game is Sunday, Dec. 21 on ABC.

NCAA volleyball tournament champions

Penn State is the reigning NCAA volleyball champion, having defeated Louisville in four sets last year in the national title game. It was the Nittany Lions’ eighth volleyball championship since 1999.

Here’s a look at the past 10 NCAA volleyball champions:

• 2024: Penn State
• 2023: Texas
• 2022: Texas
• 2021: Wisconsin
• 2020: Kentucky
• 2019: Stanford
• 2018: Stanford
• 2017: Nebraska
• 2016: Stanford
• 2015: Nebraska

For the full list of champions, click here.

The football seemingly bounced the Kansas City Chiefs’ way all of last season as they won 11 one-score games. The football is continuously bouncing in the opposite direction this year.

Kansas City’s 20-10 loss to the Houston Texans was emblematic of their season.

Whether it’s a 43-yard Harrison Butker field goal that doinked off the upright, a football that slipped through Rashee Rice’s hands on fourth down or a Travis Kelce drop that lands in the hands of Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.

The Chiefs aren’t the recipients of footballs bouncing their way in 2025.  

Chiefs pass catchers had six drops in their loss to Houston. Six drops factored into Patrick Mahomes passing for a season-low 160 yards.

“They are upset. They put it all out there and it didn’t work out for them,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid told reporters postgame. “The guys that had some mishaps, they are upset. These guys take responsibility for things.”

Injuries have also hurt Kansas City.

The Chiefs were down three starting offensive linemen (Josh Simmons, Trey Smith and Jawaan Taylor) in Week 14. Their banged up offensive line took another hit when tackle Wanya Morris injured his knee on the very first snap of Sunday night’s game and was ruled out for the rest of the contest.

Mahomes was under pressure on 50% of his dropbacks versus Houston, according to Pro Football Focus. He finished with a career-worst 19.8 passer rating.

Standout cornerback Trent McDuffie sustained a knee injury after he gave up a long 46-yard reception to Texans wideout Nico Collins in the first quarter and didn’t return.

Collins tallied a game-high 121 receiving yards on four catches.

When “mishaps” as Reid labeled it and injuries start to mount, one must wonder if it’s just not the Chiefs’ year.

Kansas City’s playoff probability decreased to 15% following its Week 14 defeat, per Next Gen Stats. They are in the 10th position in the AFC.

The Chiefs (6-7) have appeared in five Super Bowls over the past six seasons, including three Super Bowl victories. They’ve won the AFC West title for nine consecutive seasons during their dynasty. But the Chiefs’ latest loss could be a sign that their reign is beginning to falter.

If the Chiefs want to preserve their dynasty, they definitely need to undergo a retooling around Mahomes during an offseason that appears to have a start date earlier than expected.

“We know the (playoff) chances are getting lower and lower,” Mahomes said. “But I know the guys on this team are going to give everything they have every opportunity we get.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

James Madison is in. Notre Dame is out.

The College Football Playoff saved the biggest drama for the final rankings, bumping the Sun Belt champions into the tournament over ACC champion Duke and Miami instead of the Fighting Irish for the final at-large spot.

In the end, the selection committee leaned on the Hurricanes’ head-to-head win against Notre Dame to open the season after ignoring that result throughout the rankings. This is a decision that ranks alongside Florida State’s exclusion in 2023 as the most controversial in playoff history.

The top four seeds are Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia and Texas Tech. The at-large picks are No. 5 Oregon, No. 6 Mississippi, No. 7 Texas A&M, No. 8 Oklahoma, No. 9 Alabama and No. 10 Miami. No. 11 Tulane and No. 12 James Madison round out the field.

If the favorites win at home in the opening round, the quarterfinal matchups would be Indiana against Oklahoma, Ohio State against Texas A&M, Georgia against Mississippi and Texas Tech against Oregon.

James Madison, Miami and the Irish lead the winners and losers from the bracket reveal:

Winners

Miami

The Hurricanes played their way into the field with a dominant four-game winning streak to end the regular season, which forced the committee to finally take into account the tiebreaker over Notre Dame. That they waited until this point will bring the committee under intense scrutiny, and deservedly so: Why not move Miami ahead earlier in the process to avoid this very situation? You have to think a major factor was Duke’s win and the possibility the ACC would be left out of the tournament entirely – even if the committee chairman said otherwise.

James Madison

James Madison was able to squeeze into the field after Duke beat Virginia in the ACC championship game, leading to a comparison of the one-loss Sun Belt champions against a five-loss Power Four winner. In the end, the Dukes lacked the Blue Devils’ résumé of wins, which included seven against Power Four competition, but had the record and level of game control to upend expectations and give the Group of Five two teams in the tournament.

Alabama

The Crimson Tide benefitted from the precedent set by the committee that says teams will not be docked for what happens in conference championship games. That’s obvious after Georgia handled Alabama with room to spare on Saturday night, avenging an earlier loss at home. While the Tide can exhale after a worrisome overnight wait, the bigger concern now is how this team has played since beating Tennessee early last month. Since then, the Tide haven’t looked the part of a playoff team, though the résumé was there to keep them in the bracket ahead of Notre Dame and Miami.

The Big 12

The conference couldn’t get two teams into the tournament after Texas Tech beat Brigham Young to knock out the Cougars. That’s the same as last season, when only Arizona State represented the Big 12. But this year feels very different nonetheless thanks to a deeper run of teams in the final rankings. In addition to the No. 4 Red Raiders and No. 12 BYU, the Big 12 placed No. 15 Utah, No. 17 Arizona and No. 21 Houston in the final top 25. The Big 12 had four teams in last year’s final rankings but only one inside the top 15.

Group of Five

This is a major look-at-us moment for the conferences that exist in the long shadow cast by the Power Four. While the American was assured of a playoff berth regardless of what happened in the championship game between Tulane and North Texas, there was little thought given to getting a second Group of Five team into the bracket until the final two weeks of the regular season. There needed to be a perfect storm of events to make this a possibility: JMU had to be perfect and the ACC had to be perfectly scrambled to open just the slightest path for another Group of Five team. While the Green Wave and Dukes will be underdogs in the opening round, this is a banner moment for the non-major conferences.

Losers

Notre Dame

There was almost no reason think Notre Dame would be the team left out after conference championship games, given Alabama’s pathetic showing against Georgia and the fact the Irish had been in front of Miami – as many as eight spots in front, in fact – throughout the entire ranking process. There’s also the idea that Notre Dame brings eyeballs and ratings to the playoff, making the Irish an even stronger candidate. That makes the fact they were bumped on Sunday extremely controversial, highly dramatic and definitely hard to explain. In the committee’s defense, the Irish did have a weaker résumé of wins than other at-large contenders. But Notre Dame was a powerhouse down the stretch and looked the part of a playoff team.

The ACC

While the ACC did get Miami into the tournament to avoid an embarrassing shutout, the conference also had just three teams in the rankings – Miami, No. 19 Virginia and No. 22 Georgia Tech – for the fewest of any Power Four league. The ACC is even lucky to a third team in the Yellow Jackets, who lost three of four in November and barely beat Boston College. Overall, Tech beat only three teams with a winning record and none with more than eight wins.

Brigham Young

The Cougars never factored into the at-large debate and were even dropped in the rankings after losing a second time to Texas Tech, even though a similar loss to Georgia didn’t move Alabama off of the No. 9 seed. BYU lost just twice, both to the Red Raiders, and had wins against East Carolina, Arizona, Utah, Iowa State, TCU and Cincinnati. That wasn’t enough to make the Cougars a legitimate contender.

Vanderbilt

The Commodores did their part, taking care of Tennessee in the season finale for the first 10-win finish in program history, but never came under any realistic consideration from the committee as an at-large candidate. Three teams would’ve earned the nod over Vanderbilt in Notre Dame, BYU and Texas. You can shift some of the blame to South Carolina, LSU and Missouri, which collapsed down the stretch after being ranked when meeting the Commodores. Still, look for quarterback Diego Pavia to be a Heisman Trophy finalist and potentially win the award, though he’s likely to finish second behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.

• Mike Macdonald called on Rashid Shaheed to provide a spark for the Seahawks in Sunday’s game against the Falcons.
• Shaheed delivered with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that broke open the game.
• The Seahawks are leaning on complementary football while discovering different ways to win.

ATLANTA – With his Seattle Seahawks clearly sputtering for the first half of the game on Sunday, Mike Macdonald had a suggestion he was compelled to share in the locker room.

Or maybe it was a Nostradamus moment.

Let Devon Witherspoon, the heart-and-soul of Seattle’s big-play defense, fill in the details.

“He said, ‘Kickoff team, let’s take one to the house, ‘Shid. Do what you do, make a block and don’t let your guy make a tackle,’ ” said Witherspoon, the star cornerback, after the 37-9 romp against the Atlanta Falcons. “And then those guys went out and did that.

“Shout out to special teams.”

“‘Shid” would be Rahsid Shaheed, the electric receiver-returner, who followed the orders from the Seahawks coach and took the second-half kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown that broke open a 6-6 game – and then some.

Talk about speaking something into existence.

“Coach Macdonald, he called that for sure,” Witherspoon marveled.

The kick return ignited a magnificent second half for the Seahawks (10-3), who not only exploded for 31 points after halftime but produced what was likely their most complete game of the season.

How complete was it? On top of Shaheed’s momentum-seizing return, consider this: Sam Darnold passed for three TDs and the Seahawks rushed for 129 yards. Rookie phenom Nick Emmanwori blocked a field goal. The defense collected three turnovers – Witherspoon had a pick and a fumble recovery, Emmanwori had an interception – and a week after shutting out the Vikings ran its streak of quarters without a touchdown allowed to eight.

Sure, they pummeled the feeble Falcons (4-9), who clinched the franchise’s eighth consecutive season. But no matter. In notching a 10th victory before January for the first time since 2000, the Seahawks illustrated why they might be the team that no one wants to face in the playoffs next month.

“We feel really good,” said star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who rebounded from his least productive game of the season a week earlier with seven catches, 92 yards and two TDs. “We feel confident. This is a big stretch for us. We know that. Championship football, heading into the playoffs. Just trying to keep building this mojo and win out.”

At the moment, the Seahawks hold the NFC’s top wild-card spot and fifth seed overall for the playoffs. Yet challenges await. After hosting the battered Indianapolis Colts next weekend (after a 7-1 start, the Colts have lost four of their past five games, and it is feared that quarterback Daniel Jones could be done for the season due to an Achilles injury), Seattle gets a visit from the Los Angeles Rams to likely determine first place in the NFC West. Then they close the regular season with road games at the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers – two teams locked in intense playoff bids of their own.

Yet complementary football might be Seattle’s secret sauce. The defense has been outstanding all season, with playmakers on every level. Shaheed’s punch in the return game adds to a unit that includes one of the league best kickers, Jason Myers, who booted three field goals on Sunday.

Then there’s the explosiveness. The roll at Mercedes-Benz Stadium marked the fourth time this season that Seattle has scored at least 30 points in a half. The rest of the NFL produced six 30-point halves, heading into Sunday.

Smith-Njigba, who leads the NFL with 1,428 receiving yards on 89 receptions, mentioned something else reflected with the latest triumph. He said, “We’re learning how to win different types of games.”

The sluggish start by Seattle’s offense against the Falcons should ensure that there will no complacency for coordinator Klint Kubiak’s unit. The Seahawks managed just two field goals from five first-half drives and, with a Darnold interception, were stung again by the turnover woes that have plagued them as they entered the game with the second-most giveaways (22) in the league. And another drive stalled deep in Falcons territory, leaving Darnold to lament a need to sharpen details.

“We’re able to go up and down the field,” Darnold said. “We’ve just got to finish our drives.”

Then again, when Darnold called it a “total team effort,” he was mindful of the support coming from the Seattle defense.

The past two games, the Seahawks have allowed 9 points and zero touchdowns while forcing eight turnovers.

“There are going to be opportunities that are representative of big plays made by defense, special teams and offense,” receiver Cooper Kupp said. “The opportunities to play complementary football. What that does in terms of momentum swings and being able to beat an opponent down….when you can do that, the psychological toll is a big deal.”

It’s a formula the Seahawks will be eager to try applying in the playoffs. Especially if they speak it into existence with undeniable action.

Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on X: @JarrettBell

The domination has ended for Merab Dvalishvili.

In shocking fashion, Dvalishvili lost to Petr Yan by unanimous decision in a bantamweight title bout at UFC 323, ending Dvalishvili’s championship reign atop the 135-pound division and his 14-bout winning streak.

Dvalishvili, a 34-year-old Georgian, had not lost a fight since 2018 during a run that included three title defenses.

But a rematch with Yan derailed it all.

The two men fought first in 2023, when Dvalishvili won by unanimous decision. But this time, in the rematch, Yan punished Dvalishvili with his fists, kicks and even takedowns. He also showed remarkable defense in fending off most of Dvalishvili’s takedown attempts.

The judges scored it 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 in favor of Yan.

“I feel very happy. I worked so hard,’’ Yan said through an interpreter after the five-round fight. “I prepared so hard for this moment.’’

Dvalishvili’s face, bloodied and battered, also demonstrated the pain Yan inflicted.

Yan, the 32-year-old Russian, improved to 20-5 (12-4 UFC) after winning his fourth fight in a row.

Dvalishvili’s record dropped to 21-5 (14-3 UFC).

Dvalishvili said he was trying to make it an entertaining fight by standing toe-to-toe with Yan, “and he was a better fighter today.’’

Moments after Yan was awarded the championship belt, Dvalishvili also said, “Congratulations to him, but I want a rematch.’’

USA TODAY Sports provided round-by-round analysis for the Dvalishvili-Yan fight and the rest of the main card:

Petr Yan def. Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision: Round-by-round analysis

Round 1

Petr Yan entered the octagon and turned a cartwheel. No telling how that flair might serve him now that Merab Dvalishvili has entered the octagon, too, with the fight set to begin.

Merab on the move, and Yan shadowing. Merab lets fly with a right and lands a right overhand. Yan taking his time. Eats another right from Merab, and he better start punching soon. Merab showing aggression.

Merab charges forward and unloads as Yan looks mostly concerned about covering up. Yan connects with a couple of jabs and Merab throws heavy punches, mostly missing. Yan connects with a big right! Then a left. But Merab scores a takedown, and he needs to wrap up Yan. Yan clearly has the ability to turn Merab, but not if he’s wrapped up. Yan fighting the takedown and getting kneed in the glutes and squirms loose. But Merab wraps up Yan again and attempts another takedown. Fans boo. Dvalishvili 10, Yan 9

Round 2

Merab rushes out behind a big right. He’s remained the aggressor and looks for another takedown. Yan defending well and Merab determined to score this takedown. But Yan breaks free.

Yan connects with a jab. A hard jab. Merab lunges. Reportedly, Merab has failed to score any takedowns. Unreal. Now, Yan scores the takedown! Then Merab pulls the reversal! And Yan reverses Merab!

They’re clinched on the fence but Yan is in a headlock. Now they shake loose. Yan scores with another wicked jab. Merab is keeping Yan tied up and gains a reprieve from Yan’s fists. Yan scores with a right. Merab’s face is badly bloodied. Dvalishvili 20, Yan 18

Round 3

Merab’s nose looks like it might be broken. No question it’s bloody and battered. Merab lands a hard right and Yan scores a big takedown. Merab on the rampage but Yah slugs him square in he face.

Merab slings Yan over his shoulder, slams him to the mat and back up pops Yan. They’re trading blows, but both look exhausted. Merab attempts a takedown and Yan fights it off.

Yan lands a right and then a jab. Merab goes for yet another takedown. More terrific takedown defense by Yan. Merab charging ahead. Yan lands a vicious kick to the body. Merab is hurt. Dvalishvili 29, Yan 28

Round 4

Yan opens with a hard low leg kick. Merab shows no ill effects from that kick to the abdomen. Yet. He’s attempting yet another takedown and gets taken down instead.

Merab going for a choke here. Yan shakes free of the submission attempt and now has Merab’s back. Yan lands a kick and he’s on the move. Merab stays aggressive. Another takedown attempt and Yan defends again.

Yan landing with that jab repeatedly and scores with another hard left shot to the body. Another hard body shot by Yan. Yan pounds Merab with a vicious left, and then a big right followed by an elbow. Yan is taking over. Dvalishvili 38, Yan 38

Round 5

Yan comes out assertively with side kicks to the legs. Merab firing punches and Yan responds with a leg kick. Now he scores with a left hook to Merab’s body. They trade big punches, and Yan appears to get the best of the exchange.

Yan lands a couple of lefts. He looks patient and dangerous. Merab wraps up Yan but Yan fights him off YET again! Blood is everywhere – mostly Merab’s. Merab’s face is a bloody mess. He’s firing punches but doesn’t look certain about what he wants to do. Now he’s looking for a submission.

Yan shakes free and gets on top. He scores with a knee and elbow before they separate. Yan lands another crushing body kick. Crowd cheering, clock running out and Yan scores his fifth takedown of the fight! Yan 48, Dvalishvili 47

Joshua Van def. Alexandre Pantoja by TKO

The fight lasted 26 seconds, and it was as shocking as it was excruciating.

At 24, Van becomes the second youngest champion in UFC history after Pantoja appeared to seriously injure his arm just as the flyweight bout was getting underway.

Pantoja, 35, attempted a head kick and Van caught his left. That left Pantoja spinning and looking for a place to land.

But as he fell, Pantoja landed on his left arm and it didn’t look good. He made it clear he couldn’t continue and the referee halted the fight. Dana White said afterward that Pantoja had suffered a shoulder injury.

The only younger champion in UFC history was Jon Jones, who won his first belt at 23.

Van improved to 16-2 and Pantoja fell to 30-6.

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van: Round-by-round analysis

Round 1

Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja already looks like one of the best ever to fight in the division. But 24-year-old contender Joshua Van looks to change the narrative with a massive upset.

Pantoja opens with a leg kick and the punches already are flying. Pantoja suffers an arm injury and the fight is over! Pantoja cannot continue! 

Tatsuro Taira def. Brandon Moreno by TKO

Taira proved to be a quicker learner in his victory over Moreno in the flyweight bout.

Taira spent most of the first round fighting off a possible submission after trying to take down Moreno but slipping into Moreno’s clutches.

Taira took Moreno down again in Round 2 and he kept him there – long enough to pound him with punches before the referee halted the fight.

Taira, the 25-year-old from Japan, improved to 18-1. Moreno, the 31-year-old from Mexico, fell to 23-9-2.

Brandon Moreno vs. Tatsuro Taira: Round-by-round analysis

Round 1

Brandon Moreno, the former two-time UFC flyweight champion, is looking to fight for the title again. The path leaves him face-to-face with Tatsuro Taira.

Taira opens with a fast right that misses the target – violently. Taira attempts a takedown but Moreno ends up on top and is locking in a body triangle. Taira looks helpless but not in danger of submitting. The problem: 2:45 left to go and no clear exit for Taira.

Taira starts to throw punches, but there’s not much room to operate. The hold is weakening and the fans boo. But Moreno is retightening the triangle. Taira throwing punches, so clearly he’s getting adequate air and the crowd is losing patience. Taira breaks free and fails to score before the round ends. Moreno 10, Taira 9

Round 2

Moreno scores with a jab and a right hook. Moreno fires another jab and connects with a low leg kick. Connects with another left. Taira looks … a little unsure of himself. Now he unloads with punches and scores a takedown.

Taira now throwing hard punches to Moreno’s head and face. A flurry of big punches and the referee stops the fight! It’s over! It’s Taira by TKO.

Payton Talbott def. Henry Cejudo by unanimous decision

Talbott knocked off the legendary Cejudo and had a message after winning the flyweight bout by unanimous decision. A fight that sent Cejudo back into retirement.

“Guys, give it up for Henry Cejudo, the savior of the flyweight division,’’ Talbott said. “Love him or hate him, everyone watched.’’

It was riveting theater again, as the 38-year-old Cejudo brawled with the 27-year-old Talbott. He had the heart of a champion – a former Olympic gold medalist wrestler and former two-division UFC champion (flyweight and bantamweight).

But Talbott was too good and too young on a night that ended with Cejudo’s face covered with blood and pride. Talbott improved to 11-1 and Cejudo fell to 16-6.

Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott: Round-by-round analysis

Round 1

Legend Henry Cejudo hasn’t looked so legendary while losing his last three fights. Can he avoid yet another loss against 27-year-old Payton Talbott?

Cejudo opens with a couple quick low leg kicks. Talbott lands a huge right. But Cejudo marches forward and lands another low leg kick. Talbott lands another left as Cejudo keeps firing those low leg kicks. Talbott noticeably taller. But nothing new for Cejudo.

Cejudo bleeding from the nose and now he’s getting kneed and Talbott lands a left. Cejudo drops Talbott with a right but Talbott quickly back up. And Talbott has tattooed Cejudo’s face and then scores a takedown. In fact, sticks out his tongue in celebration. Talbott scores with a couple of elbows and lands a flurry of shots before Cejudo scrambles to his feet. And Talbott takes him down again HARD seconds before the round ends. Talbott 10, Cejudo 9

Round 2

Talbott drops Cejudo with a right but he quickly scrambles to his feet and now Cejudo is on top! The former Olympic gold medalist wrestler, of course. Cejudo on top but not throwing punches, maybe just catching his breath? Crowd growing restless.

About three minutes left. How will Cejudo use the time? Talbott scrambles to his feet, but Cejudo still has his back. Now they’re separated and Talbott is firing punches and clips Cejudo with a stiff left. Talbott is pouring it on!

Cejudo fighting back and it’s a bloody war. Cejudo a bloody mess but still fighting. Cejudo’s left eye just covered with blood. Round ends. Incredible. Talbott 20, Cejudo 18

Round 3

Cejudo scores with a hard low leg kick. And now he’s firing punches and kicks. Talbott knees Cejudo and he just looks sharper and fresher. Cejudo has no answer for the long limbs that have bloodied his face.

Now they’re clinched. Cejudo’s right eye bleeding again as they’re clinched. Talbott drives his knee into Cejudo’s body but suddenly Cejudo scores the takedown. Talbott quickly back on his feet. Talbott drive his knee into Cejudo’s chest and it’s getting ugly.

Cejudo attempts another takedown but Talbott fends it off. Hard to know who’s wearing whose blood. Talbott pouring it on, but Cejudo swinging for the fences, too. Talbott points to the center of the mat and they brawl as the final seconds elapse. Talbott 30, Cejudo 27

Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov declared majority draw

It’s almost impossible to imagine the 42-year-old Blachowicz reigning atop the light heavyweight division again. But retirement doesn’t appear to be imminent, either.

Despite suffering a beating in the second round, Blachowicz rallied and earned a majority draw against Guskov.

He weathered a flurry of Guskov’s elbows and fists after getting dropped in the second round, then fought his way back in the three-round bout behind an aggressive, jab-heavy attack.

One judge scored it 29-28 for Blachowicz and the two other judges scored it 28-28 – meaning they scored the second round 10-8 in favor of Guskov but gave the first and third rounds to Blachowicz.

Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov: Round-by-round analysis

Round 1

Jan Blachowicz, the former light heavyweight champion, enters this fight having won just one of his last five bouts. At 42, can he get back on track against 33-year-old Bogdan Guskov?

Fighters circling, measuring. Guskov throws a few jabs, not with any serious intention. Blachowicz connects with a low leg kick, tries to follow up with a jab that falls short. Waiting for violence to ensue. Blachowicz scores with a jab and connects with another low level kick. Another kick. But no one is going for broke yet.

Guskov connects with a straight left that backed up Blachowicz. But Blachowicz responds with a couple of lefts. They traded kicks. Jabs are ruling this round. The crowd is getting a little restless. Now whistling ensues. Blachowicz has pounded Guskov’s left leg, but he lands a flurry of punches. Blachowicz 10, Guskov 9

Round 2

Blachowicz sticks Guskov with a solid left and connects with another leg kick. Then Guskov scores with a big right and down goes Blachowicz as Guskov begins the ground and pound and tries to finish the job. Guskov connects with two more big shots.

Blachowicz has Guskov in a heel locker but he breaks free. Lots of time left as Guskov sets up for more ground and pound. Blachowicz taking lots of punishment as Guskov throws elbows and opens up a cut on Blachowicz’s right eye.

Guskov in total control and Blachowicz winces as the punishment continues. Blachowicz punching back, but with no authority. Guskov capitalizing with sharp elbows. Blachowicz 19, Guskov 19

Round 3

Blachowicz comes out with surprising assertiveness, but Guskov scores with a left jab that rattles Blachowicz. Guskov connecting with big shots. Blachowicz still stalking at times and showing some energy. Throwing impressive jabs, but Guskov fires back with a hard right.

Blachowicz is revving up and fires away despite blood running into his left eye. Guskov retreating and growing strangely apprehensive. It’s Blachowicz who’s fighting with more aggressiveness.

They’re at the center of the octagon. Blachowicz knocks Guskov down with a right as the round comes to a close! Unbelievable! Blachowicz 29, Guskov 28

UFC 323 results: Prelims

• Manuel Torres def. Grant Dawson by TKO (1st round), lightweight

• Chris Duncan def. Terrance McKinney by submission (anaconda choke, 1st rd), lightweight 

• Maycee Barber def. Karine Silva by unanimous decision, women’s flyweight
• Fares Ziam def. Nazim Sadykhov by TKO (2nd rd), lightweight

UFC 323 results: Early Prelims

• Brunno Ferreira def. Marvin Vettori by unanimous decision, middleweight
• Jalin Turner def. Edson Barboza by TKO (1st rd), lightweight

• Iwo Baraniewski def. Ibo Aslan KO (1st rd), light heavyweight
• Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Antonio Trocoli by submission (guillotine choke/1st rd), middleweight
• Mairon Santos def. Muhammad Naimov by TKO (3rd rd), featherweight

UFC 323 predictions: Dvalishvili vs. Yan expert picks

Sporting News: Merab via unanimous decision

Daniel Yanofsky writes: ‘Has Yan improved his takedown defense (85%) since the last fight? Even against other opponents, they aren’t on the same level as Merab. Even if injuries may have affected Yan last time, it appears nothing can stop Merab, especially on the floor. Expect the same result here.’

Action Network: Merab Dvalishvili

Billy Ward writes: ‘With the champion only about two years older than the challenger, it’s also hard to say that time could be the equalizer here, as both men are in roughly the same stage of their careers. For all of those reasons, the roughly four-to-one odds on ‘The Machine’ to retain his title feel about right.’

Score and Stats: Merab Dvalishvili

Rick Rockwell writes: ‘You can throw caution to the wind and bet on a KO upset, but I don’t see it happening. Merab wins with defense, timing, pacing, and suffocating wrestling. Yan didn’t have an answer for that in 2023, and he won’t have an answer for it now.’

UFC 323 odds: Dvalishvili vs. Yan fight

Odds via BetMGM as of Thursday.

• Merab Dvalishvili (-500) vs. Petr Yan (+340); For bantamweight title

UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan fight card

Fight card according to ESPN:

Fight card according to ESPN.

Main Card:

• Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan; For bantamweight title
• Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van; For flyweight title
• Brandon Moreno vs. Tatsuro Taira; Flyweight
• Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott; Lightweight
• Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov; Bantamweight

Prelims:

• Grant Dawson vs. Manuel Torres; Lightweight
• Chris Duncan vs. Terrance McKinney; Lightweight
• Maycee Barber vs. Karine Silva; Women’s flyweight
• Nazim Sadykhov vs. Fares Ziam; Lightweight

Early Prelims:

• Marvin Vettori vs. Brunno Ferreira; Middleweight
• Edson Barboza vs. Jalin Turner; Lightweight
• Ibo Aslan vs. Iwo Baraniewski; Light Heavyweight
• Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Antonio Trocoli; Middleweight
• Muhammad Naimov vs. Mairon Santos; Featherweight

UFC 323 preliminary and main card start times

Here are your start times.

• Early Prelims: 6 p.m. ET (FX, ESPN+, Disney+)
• Prelims: 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2, FX, ESPN+, Disney+)
• Main card: 10 p.m. ET (PPV on ESPN+)

UFC 324 moves to Paramount+, ending PPV era for UFC

After UFC 323, the organization now moves on from its PPV model with ESPN and ESPN+. With its seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount, the promise is upwards of 40 UFC events a year. It all begins in 2026 with UFC 324 on Jan. 24, which will broadcast on streaming service Paramount+.

UFC 323 odds: Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan full card

Fight card according to ESPN: Odds via BetMGM as of Thursday.

Main Card:

• Merab Dvalishvili (-500) vs. Petr Yan (+340); For bantamweight title
• Alexandre Pantoja (-265) vs. Joshua Van (+200); For flyweight title
• Brandon Moreno (+110) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-140); Flyweight
• Henry Cejudo (+200) vs. Payton Talbott (-265); Lightweight
• Jan Blachowicz (-140) vs. Bogdan Guskov (+110); Bantamweight

Prelims:

• Grant Dawson (-235) vs. Manuel Torres (+180); Lightweight
• Chris Duncan (-195) vs. Terrance McKinney (+150); Lightweight
• Maycee Barber (-180) vs. Karine Silva (+140); Women’s flyweight
• Nazim Sadykhov (+115) vs. Fares Ziam (-145); Lightweight

Early Prelims:

• Marvin Vettori (-120) vs. Brunno Ferreira (-110); Middleweight
• Edson Barboza (+200) vs. Jalin Turner (-265); Lightweight
• Ibo Aslan (+165) vs. Iwo Baraniewski (-215); Light Heavyweight
• Mansur Abdul-Malik (-1000) vs. Antonio Trocoli (+560); Middleweight
• Muhammad Naimov (+220) vs. Mairon Santos (+295); Featherweight

Ring walk time for Dvalishvili and Yan main event

The Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan fight card consists of 14 fights and will begin at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 6, 2025, with early prelim fights. The main event for the Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan fight is expected to be around 11:30 p.m. ET. However, the duration of the undercard will impact the actual start.

Where is UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan?

UFC 323: Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan will be held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.

UFC 323 live stream

The Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan prelims and early prelims fights will be available to stream on ESPN+ and Disney+, while the main card will be streamed on ESPN Pay-Per-View.

UFC 323 price

UFC events are available to ESPN+ subscribers. The cost of the service is $10.99 a month or $109.99 for the year. The PPV is available for an additional $79.99.

Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan: Tale of the tape