UFC 323 Prelim Results: Barber, Ziam and Ferreira Extend Winning Runs in Las Vegas

The prelim card for UFC 323 delivered a mix of tight decisions, late-round drama, and lightning-fast stoppages as several emerging fighters strengthened their position in their divisions. The event, held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, set the stage for a championship double-header headlined by Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan 2 and Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van.

The December 6 card marked the UFC’s final major event of the year, drawing strong attention from fans following an active 2025 season. For many fighters on the prelim lineup, the night served as an opportunity to close the year with momentum and move closer to title contention.

Maycee Barber Returns From Layoff With Decision Win

Maycee Barber made a successful return after nearly two years away, earning a unanimous decision victory over Karine Silva. Barber quickly found herself in trouble early as Silva controlled the grappling exchanges, taking back mount and working for chokes.

The fight turned midway through the first round when Barber escaped, reversed position, and closed the frame with damaging ground-and-pound. As the bout progressed, Barber’s pace and power improved, helping her overcome an illegal upkick in the second round and outscore Silva in the stand-up exchanges.

Silva continued threatening with leg locks in the third, but Barber remained composed, landing the stronger strikes across the final minutes. The win extends Barber’s streak to seven — tying her with Natalia Silva for the longest active run in the women’s flyweight division. Her performance also places her firmly back in the title conversation heading into next year.

Ziam Earns Sixth Straight Win With Late Stoppage

Fares Ziam opened the televised prelims with a calculated performance, stopping Nazim Sadykhov at 4:59 of the second round. The French lightweight kept Sadykhov at range early, using long strikes and timely wrestling to control the pace.

The second round appeared relatively quiet until Ziam connected with a sharp elbow against the fence as the 10-second warning sounded. The strike dropped Sadykhov, and Ziam surged forward with punches until the referee stepped in when Sadykhov stumbled on the restart.

Ziam now carries a six-fight winning streak and continues displaying steady improvement since joining the UFC. His size and increasingly confident approach suggest a move toward the lightweight rankings could come soon.

Ferreira Outworks Vettori in Competitive Three-Round Battle

Brunno Ferreira scored the most significant victory of his career, defeating former title challenger Marvin Vettori by unanimous decision. Ferreira missed weight by three pounds on Friday but entered the bout aggressively, relying on counters and heavier shots to edge ahead on the scorecards.

Vettori had moments late in both the first and third rounds, especially during brief surges that pressured Ferreira, but he never managed to shift momentum fully. Ferreira, a graduate of Dana White’s Contender Series, is now riding a three-fight streak and improving to 6–2 inside the Octagon. His win over a long-standing middleweight contender moves him closer to the division’s Top 15.

Turner Scores First-Round TKO Over Barboza

Jalin Turner, returning from a brief break in competition, delivered one of the night’s most decisive performances. The 30-year-old opened aggressively against veteran Edson Barboza, cutting him with an early elbow and preventing him from settling into rhythm.

Turner maintained steady pressure without rushing, connecting with clean combinations and forcing Barboza to retreat repeatedly. Midway through the round, Turner’s accuracy overwhelmed the Brazilian, sending him to the canvas and securing the stoppage.

The victory may not immediately return Turner to the rankings, but it re-establishes him as a significant lightweight threat heading into 2026.

Baraniewski Lands Wild First-Round Knockout in UFC Debut

Polish newcomer Iwo Baraniewski delivered one of the most chaotic sequences of the night, stopping Ibo Aslan in just 89 seconds. Both fighters traded heavy blows from the opening bell, each appearing close to being finished before Baraniewski connected with a right hand that ended the fight.

Baraniewski, who earned his UFC contract with a 20-second knockout on the Contender Series, remains undefeated at 7–0 with a perfect finishing rate. His explosive start indicates he may be one of the middleweight division’s more unpredictable new talents in the years ahead.

Abdul-Malik Extends Undefeated Record With Quick Submission

Mansur Abdul-Malik continued his rapid rise with a 69-second submission win over Antonio Trocoli. The Contender Series standout closed the distance instantly, secured a takedown, and locked in a modified high-elbow guillotine as Trocoli attempted to stand.

The win moves Abdul-Malik to 10–0 as a professional and 3–0–1 in the UFC. His blend of collegiate wrestling experience and finishing instincts positions him as one of the top emerging names in the 185-pound division.

Santos Opens Event With Third-Round Stoppage

TUF 32 featherweight winner Mairon Santos opened UFC 323 with a third-round TKO against Muhammad Naimov. Santos, who missed weight, controlled much of the bout with leg kicks and selective striking before landing a clean right hand early in round three that ended the contest.

The Brazilian now sits at 18–1 overall and 4–0 in the UFC. At just 25 years old, he remains one of the most promising prospects in the featherweight division.