Merab Dvalishvili (crimson gloves) reacts after defeating Sean O’Malley (not pictured) in a bantamweight title battle throughout UFC 316 at Prudential Heart in Newark, New Jersey, US on June 7, 2025. — Reuters
MMA fighter Merab Dvalishvili effortlessly defeated Sean O’Malley in the principle occasion of UFC 316 on Saturday evening in Newark, NJ, securing a third-round modified choke of their rematch to retain the bantamweight championship.
With President Donald Trump watching from cageside, Dvalishvili (20-4) emphatically displayed his wrestling base to tire out the previous champion and make an argument as one of many sport’s finest bantamweights, maybe of all time.
Dvalishvili, who received at 4:42 of the third spherical for his thirteenth consecutive victory, stated he would welcome his subsequent title defence towards Cory Sandhagen (18-5), a winner of 4 of his final 5 fights.
“You’re the man, let’s go,” Dvalishvili stated, indicating that he can be involved in preventing Sandhagen subsequent.
O’Malley (18-3) fell to Dvalishvili final September by unanimous determination, relinquishing his title. O’Malley confirmed the loss was a minor setback, reassuring of a gentle return.
“100%, thank you guys for coming out,” O’Malley stated.
The ladies’s bantamweight title modified palms within the co-main occasion, as Kayla Harrison submitted Julianna Pena with a second-round kimura.
US President Donald Trump attends the UFC 316 occasion on the Prudential Centre in Newark, New Jersey, US on June 8, 2025. — Reuters
Harrison and Pena embraced within the Octagon afterwards, displaying utmost class for each other after Harrison managed each facet of the battle. Harrison stated throughout her post-fight interview that her weight reduce was so draining on Thursday evening that she “wanted to quit,” however it could have been a mistake in her eyes, given that the majority fighters in MMA do not win a UFC title.
Harrison (19-1) known as out Pena’s (13-6) former rival, Amanda Nunes. Nunes (23-5) is a former two-division champion who retired in 2023. As time handed, she teased a comeback. It now appears inevitable, as Harrison and Nunes posed for a face-off and talked of a bout later this 12 months because the Prudential Heart crowd beamed.
Middleweight Joe Pyfer made good on his UFC return, defeating TUF alumnus Kelvin Gastelum by unanimous determination 29-28, 29-27, 30-27. Pyfer (14-3) has received his final two outings, whereas Gastelum (19-10 MMA) is within the midst of a droop.
The soon-to-be UFC Corridor of Fame “Fight Wing” inductee and ex-interim middleweight title challenger, Gastelum has but to win back-to-back fights in six years. His final win got here final June, defeating Daniel Rodriguez (19-5) by unanimous determination.
Bantamweight Mario Bautista shut down the UFC debut of Patchy Combine, successful a one-sided unanimous determination 29-28, 30-27-30-27. The battle primarily stayed on the ft, as Bautista (16-2) has received eight in a row whereas Combine (20-2) was presumed to be a attainable title challenger upon entry into the promotion.Â
The previous Bellator champion should assess what went incorrect earlier than searching for himself within the top-15.
Kevin Holland kicked off the UFC 316 major card in type, securing a D’Arce choke over Vicente Luque at 1:03 of the second spherical.Â
Holland (28-13) has now received three of his final 5, emphasising the necessity to stay a outstanding welterweight contender. Luque (23-11-1), who resides in New Jersey by way of Brazil, has misplaced two of his final three.
