Saturday night’s return to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey delivered fireworks, as UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2 cemented itself as one of the most memorable cards of 2025. From jaw-dropping submissions to a historic championship crowning, the action inside “The Garden State” Octagon did not disappoint.
Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili Submits Sean O’Malley, Retains Bantamweight Gold
Merab Dvalishvili proved once again why he’s called “The Machine.” In a rematch with former champion Sean O’Malley, the Georgian dynamo extended his winning streak to 13 straight, securing a third-round submission victory via ninja choke at 4:42 to retain his UFC bantamweight title.
Dvalishvili controlled the fight from the outset, smothering O’Malley with relentless pressure, takedowns, and surprisingly sharp striking. After two dominant rounds, he dragged “Suga” back to the canvas late in Round 3 and cinched in a deep choke, leaving O’Malley no choice but to tap.
With back-to-back title defenses in 2025, Dvalishvili is crafting a legacy as possibly the greatest bantamweight in MMA history.
Co-Main Event: Kayla Harrison Wins UFC Gold, Calls Out Amanda Nunes
Kayla Harrison’s UFC rise reached its pinnacle as the two-time Olympic gold medalist submitted former champion Julianna Peña with a kimura at 4:55 of Round 2 to become the new women’s bantamweight champion.
Harrison dominated from the outset, using her elite judo and grappling to keep Peña grounded and frustrated. A pair of illegal upkicks from Peña in the first round cost her a point and set the tone for a rough night. Harrison nearly secured an arm triangle before transitioning to a tight kimura, forcing the tap just before the round expired.
The win puts Harrison alongside Henry Cejudo as the only Olympic gold medalists to win UFC titles. Her night ended with a dramatic face-off inside the cage with the returning Amanda Nunes, setting up a blockbuster showdown later this year.
Main Card Highlights
- Kevin Holland kicked off the main card in style, earning a second-round submission win over Vicente Luque. Holland’s creativity and grappling finesse were on full display as he locked in a D’Arce choke that forced the finish.
- Mario Bautista continued his ascent in the bantamweight division, outclassing former Bellator champion Patchy Mix. With constant pressure and superior cardio, Bautista earned a unanimous decision to notch his eighth straight victory.
- Joe Pyfer closed out the non-title portion of the main card with a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Kelvin Gastelum. Pyfer’s physicality and control on the feet made the difference, adding a significant name to his résumé as he climbs the middleweight rankings.
UFC 316 not only brought clarity to the bantamweight divisions but also set the stage for a historic clash between two elite women’s champions. With Dvalishvili’s dominance and Harrison’s arrival at the top, the second half of 2025 is already shaping up to be unforgettable.
And with Amanda Nunes back in the mix, the UFC women’s bantamweight division just became the most intriguing storyline in the sport.
