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UFC 323 Salaries For Dvalishvili, Yan, Pantoja and Cejudo

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The UFC presented its final pay-per-view on Saturday night as UFC 323 took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The company went out with a bang before its $7.7 billion move to streaming giant Paramount+, with two titles on the line in Sin City.

In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja put his flyweight title on the line against Joshua Van, before Merab Dvalishvili defended his bantamweight crown against Petr Yan in the evening’s headline contest.

Below is a look at all the action from the main bouts, together with the salaries for selected fighters on the card.

Petr Yan Stuns Merab Dvalishvili in UFC 323 Main Event

Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan at UFC 323

Heading into Saturday’s event, 135lbs titleholder Merab was unbeaten in 14 fights inside the Octagon, including a March 2023 victory over his UFC 323 opponent, Yan. As a result, the 34-year-old was a heavy favourite to get the job done again against the Russian.

However, Yan had other ideas. The defending champion started the five-round headliner in strong fashion, winning the session on each of the judges’ scorecards. Worryingly, though, for Merab, he saw all eight of his first round takedown attempts stuffed by Yan.

After the opening round, Yan found success with takedowns of his own in every frame that followed, including a thunderous slam in the third. When the action returned to the feet, Petr consistently found the target with strikes, relentlessly tagging the Georgian and leaving him bleeding from the nose.

While Dvalishvili certainly had moments of his own in the fight, few argued with the 49-46, 49-46 and 48-47 scorecards in Yan’s favour that Bruce Buffer read out at the conclusion of the contest.

Alexandre Pantoja vs Joshua Van at UFC 323 Lasted Just 26 Seconds

Joshua Van injured

A freak injury saw that co-main event of UFC 323 end up as one of the shortest fights of the year inside the Octagon. Much like Dvalishvili, Pantoja came into the pay-per-view as a long-term champion, this time of the 125lbs division. The 35-year-old Brazilian had reigned since July 2023, and racked up four title defences since.

Understandably, 24-year-old Van entered the cage as an underdog. Unfortunately, the bout lasted only 26 seconds, and provided more questions than answers as a result.

Early in the first round, the champion threw a high kick that was caught by Van. The challenger then threw Pantoja to the mat, at which point it became apparent that something was very wrong.

Almost instantly, referee Herb Dean stepped in to wave off the contest, meaning that Van won the title in the most bizarre circumstances. After the fight, UFC backstage reporter, Megan Olivi, confirmed that she had been told that Pantoja sustained a “left shoulder dislocation” that saw both the end of the fight and his title reign.

Henry Cejudo Retired After Suffering Defeat at UFC 323

Henry Cejudo

Former UFC double-champion Henry Cejudo called time on his mixed martial arts career after losing to Payton Talbot in an action-packed main card bout at UFC 323. The ex-flyweight and bantamweight champion finished his run on a four-fight losing streak.

However, UFC CEO Dana White was so impressed by the heart shown by ‘Triple C’ in his unanimous decision defeat that he promised him a $50,000 bonus for his efforts while speaking to him inside the Octagon.

Elsewhere on the main card, former light heavyweight titleholder Jan Blachowicz fought to a majority draw with Bogdan Guskov in the opening bout on the pay-per-view, while Japanese flyweight Tatsuro Taira knocked out ex-titleholder Brandon Moreno.

UFC 323 Estimated Earnings & Fighter Payouts

Despite not getting the job done on the night and losing his title in the process, Dvalishvili was still the biggest earner, and by some way, taking home a cool $2,342,000 for his night’s work. Yan, meanwhile, pocketed himself $1,432,000 for his troubles.

Other UFC 323 salaries (selected)

Fighter

Estimated total payout

Joshua Van

$1,282,000

Alexandre Pantoja

$732,000

Henry Cejudo

$421,000

Edson Barboza

$421,000

Jan Blachowicz

$321,000

Brandon Moreno

$265,000

Maycee Barber

$220,000

Jalin Turner

$211,000

Fares Ziam

$210,000

Marvin Vettori

$192,200

Tatsuro Taira

$176,000

Manuel Torres

$143,000

Chris Duncan

$125,000

Bruno Ferreira

$124,800

Grant Dawson

$121,000

Payton Talbott

$81,000

Karine Silva

$65,000

Bogdan Guskov

$53,000

Ibo Aslan

$34,500

Antonio Trocoli

$28,000

When is the Next Numbered UFC Event?

Paddy Pimblett

As the UFC prepares to move its content to Paramount+, the promotion will take an extended break before it presents its next major show. However, it’s fair to say that the card for UFC 324 on the 24th of January is so stacked that it will be worth the wait.

In the event’s headliner, Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett meet for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship. There’s gold on the line in the co-main event too, as Amanda Nunes challenges Kayla Harrison for the Women’s Bantamweight Championship.

There are more big names on the card as well, with former bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley taking on Song Yadong and fan favourite heavyweight Derrick Lewis colliding with Waldo Cortes-Acosta.

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Liverpool Hold Talks to Sign ‘Elite’ Winger After Diomande Rejection

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Liverpool have made contact over a deal to sign a winger this summer, according to Sky Sports, as the club are looking to strengthen their forward areas.

It comes after the club were rejected by Yan Diomande for a move, after weeks of pursuing the RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger in the market.

Offers were made to land the 19-year-old, but he has since made it clear that he wishes to join Paris Saint-Germain, ruling out a possible switch to Anfield.

With the tough task of replacing Mohamed Salah on the cards, Liverpool will now need to switch their focus to other possible arrivals on the market, and have lined up a move for one star.

Bradley Barcola France Action Images

According to Sky Sports reporter Sach Tavolieri, Liverpool have been in contact with PSG over a potential deal to sign Bradley Barcola this summer.

It’s claimed that the French club’s move for Diomande has opened up an exit for the winger, who has entered the final two years under contract with the European champions.

Liverpool aren’t the only team who have discussed a move, as the reporter claims that “several clubs” have been contacted over a possible deal for the 23-year-old.

It remains to be seen whether the Reds will get a transfer over the line in the coming weeks, while it’s unclear how much PSG could value the star at.

However, if they do seal a move, it would be an ideal transfer for Andoni Iraola to get sealed for next season.

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Barcola Would Be Ideal For Liverpool

Bradley Barcola (France) Gonzalo Fuentes via Reuters

Barcola’s possible move to Liverpool would be an ideal switch for the Reds, as they need to add some quality in the forward areas after the difficulties of last season.

While Diomande may have been a decent addition, especially for the future, he is still young and his rapid ascent may not guarantee that he will be a success at Anfield.

In Barcola, there is more of a guarantee. The French winger has shown plenty of quality on the biggest of stages, particularly during his spells in the Champions League.


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At 23-years-old, he still has plenty of potential and a long-term future that will protect Liverpool against losing his ability quickly, while he is already performing at a level that has been described as “elite”.

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool can get a move over the line, but he could improve the team drastically moving forward.

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Tottenham In Contact to Sign Maghnes Akliouche Alongside Savinho

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Tottenham Hotspur have been in contact over a deal to sign Monaco winger Maghnes Akliouche this summer, with the player already deciding his next club, according to TEAMtalk.

Tottenham have been the busiest Premier League club in the summer transfer window to date, with four new arrivals through the door before July 1.

Paul O’Keefe had reported that Spurs were looking to make seven signings this summer earlier this month, but it appears as though it could be more if rumours are to be believed.

The North London outfit are already trying to sign both Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes from Newcastle United and West Ham United respectively to bolster their midfield, and if they got both it would take their total to six additions.

O’Keefe himself said that he expected new signings across the front three at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which would then take the total up to nine if they pulled it off.

Of course, signing a striker could depend on either Dominic Solanke or Richarlison leaving the club, with new signings on the wing looking the more likely right now following the exit of Randal Kolo Muani after his unsuccessful loan spell from Paris Saint-Germain.

Akliouche via Reuters

According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham are one of many Premier League clubs who have had intermediaries in contact with Akliouche’s agents during the summer transfer window.

Spurs, along with English rivals Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle, were all scouting the 24-year-old extensively last season, with intermediaries of those clubs maintaining regular contact over whether a move for the ‘insane’ French attacker was possible.

However, talks have since been progressing between Monaco and Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain over a deal, with the player himself deciding he wants to stay in France with the Ligue 1 champions – something he has told his other potential suitors.

Akliouche looks set to cost in the region of £60m, which could prove to be a bargain in the long-term given the versatility he has shown by playing on either wing and through the middle too.

His primary position by far last term was playing from the right flank however, which is interesting given one of Spurs’ other main targets this summer has been the left-sided Savinho.

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Tottenham In Talks Over Savinho Deal

Savinho celebrates a goal for Man City via Reuters

Having tried to sign him last summer, it was no surprise that Savinho was one of the first players heavily linked with a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium now, even though a different manager is in charge.

Spurs look to need another addition on the left wing to boost their squad, and the Brazilian fits the bill given he was seen as good enough for City to sign him in the first place.

According to Fabrizio Romano earlier this month, Tottenham are in talks over a deal to bring the attacker in.

The 22-year-old found first-team minutes harder to come by last season, but Tottenham have still been unable to come to a club-to-club agreement with City to bring him to the capital.

City did only confirm Enzo Maresca as their new manager on Monday, so perhaps that has been one of the hold-ups and now a move can move quickly, or be called off altogether if the Italian decides he wants to keep the South American at the Etihad.

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David Ornstein Drops Exciting Man Utd Transfer Update

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Manchester United have been rumoured to hold an interest in several midfielders this summer, despite having already agreed a deal with Atalanta to sign midfielder Ederson.

The Red Devils have been strongly linked with potential deals for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes over the course of the summer so far. The former is now set for a move to Manchester City, but United are understood to currently be leading the way to sign the latter.

Michael Carrick’s side have seen long-term servant Casemiro depart upon the expiry of his contract, while Manuel Ugarte was also a player subject to a potential departure. However, the Uruguayan is now expected to be sidelined for a significant period of time after suffering knee ligament damage while playing for his country at the World Cup.

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Ugarte injury aside, United are expected to make a number of midfield signings this summer. That’s according to David Ornstein, who has said that the Red Devils’ “midfield is likely to have several incomings this summer”.

Fernandes has been the player most strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford so far this window, especially now since Anderson is set for a switch to the blue side of Manchester.

West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes celebrates scoring Premier League goal against Sunderland via Reuters

The Portuguese was one of the star players in a struggling West Ham side that was eventually relegated last season and the 21-year-old isn’t expected to be part of their Championship squad.

Tottenham Hotspur have also been reported to be in the race for Fernandes, as have Real Madrid. However, United are understood to be leading the pursuit for the midfielder’s signature at this moment in time.

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United also favourites to sign Felix Nmecha

Felix Nmecha Germany Action Images

Another midfielder whose name has been linked with a move to United is Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha.

The German came through the youth ranks at Manchester City and even represented England at youth level before returning to Germany in 2021 to sign for Wolfsburg.

It is understood that United are now the favourites to sign Nmecha, who is currently impressing at the World Cup after an excellent season for Dortmund, helping them finish second in the Bundesliga.

Either way, fans should be excited about the prospect of multiple midfield additions arriving at Old Trafford this summer and the potential profile and calibre of the club’s summer incomings.

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