UFC 316 Delivers Drama, Dominance, and Redemption in Newark
Wow, what a night it was at the Prudential Center in Newark for UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs O’Malley 2 ! This card lived up to every bit of the hype, with thrilling fights, huge moments, and a lot to talk about. From the prelims to the championship bouts, this event kept fans on the edge of their seats the entire time.
Let’s start at the top. In the main event , reigning bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili put his belt on the line once again against the flashy and dangerous Sean O’Malley , in a much-anticipated rematch. The energy in the arena was electric when the two stepped into the Octagon. Merab came in with his usual relentless pressure and grappling dominance, but O’Malley showed better takedown defense than in their first encounter. Still, it wasn’t enough. Over five grueling rounds, Dvalishvili’s pace and control were just too much. He retained his title by decision, extending his win streak and proving, once again, why he’s the king of the 135-pound division.
In the co-main event , Julianna Peña defended her women’s bantamweight crown against the decorated Kayla Harrison . This one had fireworks written all over it. Harrison, known for her judo and strength, gave Peña a serious test. But the champion stood her ground, using her striking and cage experience to edge out a razor-close decision. It was a gritty performance from Peña, who silenced critics and proved she’s not giving up that belt anytime soon.
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Elsewhere on the main card, Joe Pyfer scored a statement win over Kelvin Gastelum . Pyfer dropped Gastelum twice in the first round and held on through a hard-fought three rounds to earn a unanimous decision. That’s now 5-1 in the UFC for Pyfer, who’s knocking on the door of the middleweight rankings.
Mario Bautista also made a big statement by outclassing newcomer Patchy Mix across three rounds. With slick striking and smart movement, Bautista picked Mix apart and extended his win streak to eight. He looked sharp, confident, and ready for bigger challenges ahead.
But one of the loudest crowd reactions of the night came when Kevin Holland submitted Vicente Luque in the second round. Holland, always entertaining, not only out-struck Luque in round one, but then locked in a D’arce choke early in round two — Luque’s own signature move. That win puts Holland right back in the mix at welterweight.
The prelims also delivered in a big way. Joshua Van , Azamat Murzakanov , Waldo Cortes Acosta , and JooSang Yoo all picked up highlight-reel finishes. Especially Yoo, who landed a left hook knockout in just 28 seconds!
Overall, UFC 316 was everything fans could ask for. Two title fights, a card stacked with finishes and technical showcases, and fighters stepping up under pressure. Whether you caught it on ESPN+, pay-per-view, or in the arena — this was one of the year’s most memorable fight nights. The road to gold continues, and after tonight, we’ve got plenty of new contenders and storylines to follow.
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