MORNING KOMBAT WITH LUKE THOMAS AND BRIAN CAMPBELL UFC 323 Pregame Preview: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2 Presented By Cuervo® | Morning Kombat
Dec 1, 2025
MMA journalist Jed Meshew joins the hosts to dissect the highly anticipated UFC 323 main event between Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan. They explore Dvalishvili's relentless takedown game and Yan's challenges in their previous bout. The panel discusses the co-main event featuring Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van, with rising star Van's title implications and tactical matchup against Pantoja. Additionally, they touch on Brandon Moreno's underdog status against Tatsuro Taira and weigh in on Henry Cejudo's comeback against Payton Talbott, offering bold predictions throughout.
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Promotion Chooses Star Building Over Strict Merit
- The UFC is deliberately slow-playing certain contenders to build stars like Paddy Pimblett and protect other matchmaking paths.
- Luke Thomas and Jed Meshew argue promotion decisions prioritize star-building and risk management over strict meritocracy.
Hosts Start With Shots And Banter
- The hosts open the show by sharing shots of Cuervo and playful banter to set a loose, combative tone.
- This sets expectations for candid, unscripted commentary throughout the episode.
Avoid Missing The Promotion’s “Train”
- Expect promotions to withhold title shots from fighters who miss prior opportunities or create uncertainty.
- Fighters should avoid missed weight, late pullouts, or behavior that makes the promotion doubt their reliability.