Merab Dvalishvili Fends Off O'Malley, Stakes His Claim as King
For fight fans packed inside Newark’s Prudential Center—or glued to their screens across the globe—UFC 316 served up a classic: high drama, electrifying action, and two title fights with unexpected turns. In the spotlight, Merab Dvalishvili kept his iron grip on the men's bantamweight crown by handing Sean O'Malley a humbling defeat. The tension in the air was real every round, with O'Malley trying his usual footwork and crisp punches, but it wasn't enough to keep the Georgian powerhouse at bay. Dvalishvili pressed forward, mixing blinding takedown shots with relentless pressure. By the third round, O'Malley’s gas tank looked shaky as Dvalishvili muscled him to the canvas, then slickly slid into a rear-naked choke O’Malley simply could not escape—forced to tap as the arena roared.
For Dvalishvili, this win was more than a belt defense; it was a showcase of evolution. Critics often pinned him as a grinder, but the finish showed off new layers to his game and sent a message to would-be contenders. O’Malley, who came in with a wave of confidence and fanfare, now faces tough questions on bouncing back from his first submission loss inside the Octagon.
Kayla Harrison Arrives: Dominance Defined
If there was any doubt about Kayla Harrison’s credentials, they got wiped away before the second round bell. Squaring off with gritty ex-champ Julianna Peña, Harrison made her mark for the bantamweight title. She pressed for takedowns early, shrugging off Peña’s resistance and unleashing punishing top control. In round two, Harrison cinched up a deep submission, forcing the tap and leaving Peña shell-shocked. The crowd reaction matched the hype—this felt like the start of a new era on the women’s side.
Since crossing over to UFC, Harrison hadn’t faced anyone as respected as Peña, but her unbeaten streak now looks unstoppable. Her powerful ground game, honed in Olympic judo, left little doubt she’s a special talent. For Peña, it’s a tough fall after the highs of previous title runs, but no doubt she’ll regroup—her heart’s never been in question.
Some fans and pundits are already eyeing potential super-fights for Harrison. With every win, her list of challengers grows, and so does the buzz around her presence in the UFC.
Beyond the title fights, the undercard did its job: keeping fans on the edge. Joe Pyfer outworked Kelvin Gastelum over three rounds for a solid unanimous nod from the judges. Mario Bautista out-hustled Patchy Mix, frustrating him with volume and movement. Kevin Holland, famous for mixing things up, finished Vicente Luque with a slick d’arce choke—no decision, just dominance.
Fans love a big finish, and Joshua Van delivered, flooring his opponent with a head-turning KO. Murzakhanov did the same, while Waldo Cortes Costa squeezed by Serghei Spivac with a gritty points win.
The action didn’t stop between the cage and the crowd. All eyes darted to a ringside moment when former President Donald Trump made his entrance, shaking hands with the fighters as cameras flashed and social feeds exploded. No punches thrown, but he stole plenty of attention.
All told, UFC 316 wasn't short on surprises, finishes, or talking points. Whether you came for the titles, the knockouts, or just the circus, Newark delivered a wild night for fight fans.
