News
November 20, 2025
Referee, judges selected for Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan, Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van at UFC 323
The referees and judges overseeing the UFC 323 main and co-main events have been selected by the Nevada Athletic Commission. The officials were chosen on Wednesday during a monthly meeting with the commission. In the main event, UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili looks for his fourth title defense in 2025 when he faces Petr Yan [...]
LAS VEGAS - The Nevada Athletic Commission has announced the officials who will be stepping into the octagon for the highly anticipated UFC 323 main and co-main events. The selections were made during the commission's monthly meeting held on Wednesday, setting the stage for what promises to be a night of thrilling fights.
In the main event, bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili will be putting his title on the line against the always dangerous Petr Yan. Dvalishvili, known for his relentless pressure and cardio, is looking to secure his fourth title defense in 2025, a testament to his dominance in the division. Yan, a former champion himself, is eager to reclaim the belt and prove he’s still a force to be reckoned with. The commission has selected experienced referee Herb Dean to oversee the potentially explosive bantamweight clash, tasking him with maintaining order and ensuring the safety of both fighters. The three judges assigned to score the bout are veteran officials Sal D'Amato, Junichiro Kamijo and Ben Cartlidge. Their expertise will be crucial in the event the fight goes the distance.
The co-main event features a flyweight title fight between current champion Alexandre Pantoja and rising contender Joshua Van. Pantoja, a seasoned veteran known for his well-rounded skill set, will be looking to cement his legacy as champion. Van, a relative newcomer to the UFC scene, has quickly made a name for himself with his exciting fighting style and knockout power. Marc Goddard will be the third man inside the octagon, tasked with refereeing this intriguing flyweight contest. The judges who will be scoring the co-main event are Derek Cleary, Chris Lee, and Ron McCarthy, bringing a wealth of experience to the cage side.
The Nevada Athletic Commission’s meticulous selection process aims to ensure fairness and impartiality in these high-stakes matchups. With experienced referees and judges in place, fight fans can look forward to a night of exciting action at UFC 323, confident that the contests will be officiated with the highest level of professionalism.
In the main event, bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili will be putting his title on the line against the always dangerous Petr Yan. Dvalishvili, known for his relentless pressure and cardio, is looking to secure his fourth title defense in 2025, a testament to his dominance in the division. Yan, a former champion himself, is eager to reclaim the belt and prove he’s still a force to be reckoned with. The commission has selected experienced referee Herb Dean to oversee the potentially explosive bantamweight clash, tasking him with maintaining order and ensuring the safety of both fighters. The three judges assigned to score the bout are veteran officials Sal D'Amato, Junichiro Kamijo and Ben Cartlidge. Their expertise will be crucial in the event the fight goes the distance.
The co-main event features a flyweight title fight between current champion Alexandre Pantoja and rising contender Joshua Van. Pantoja, a seasoned veteran known for his well-rounded skill set, will be looking to cement his legacy as champion. Van, a relative newcomer to the UFC scene, has quickly made a name for himself with his exciting fighting style and knockout power. Marc Goddard will be the third man inside the octagon, tasked with refereeing this intriguing flyweight contest. The judges who will be scoring the co-main event are Derek Cleary, Chris Lee, and Ron McCarthy, bringing a wealth of experience to the cage side.
The Nevada Athletic Commission’s meticulous selection process aims to ensure fairness and impartiality in these high-stakes matchups. With experienced referees and judges in place, fight fans can look forward to a night of exciting action at UFC 323, confident that the contests will be officiated with the highest level of professionalism.
Category:
Sports