UFC 316: Merab Dvalishvili Chokes Out Sean O’Malley, Julianna Pena Grinds Past Kayla Harrison in Epic Title Bouts

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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Merab Dvalishvili Submits Sean O’Malley to Retain Bantamweight Title

If you expected an O’Malley highlight reel, Merab Dvalishvili had other ideas. Inside a packed arena, Dvalishvili pulled out another gritty performance in defending his men’s bantamweight crown, this time against the flashy former champ Sean O’Malley. Dvalishvili’s wrestling pedigree was front and center. He doggedly chased takedowns the entire fight, making O’Malley’s normally sharp movement look less dangerous round by round. O’Malley kept things interesting with his usual feints and creative striking—some headkicks actually brushed Merab’s fading mohawk—but it only delayed the inevitable.

The end came early in the third. Dvalishvili ducked under a spinning kick, latched onto O’Malley’s hips, and dragged him down. Seconds later, he cinched up a tight rear naked choke. O’Malley fought it, thrashing and clawing, but in the end he tapped, giving Dvalishvili his second straight title defense. For the Georgian, who outpointed O’Malley in a grueling five-rounder last year and survived a scare against Umar Nurmagomedov just months ago, the discussion now shifts to his place among the great 135ers. O’Malley, meanwhile, leaves wondering if he can reinvent his style against relentless pressure wrestlers like Merab.

Juliana Pena Grinds Out Kayla Harrison, Kevin Holland Lights Up the Night

The co-main was billed as a pure style clash: Julianna Pena’s veteran guile versus Kayla Harrison’s world-class judo. Harrison came in with all the hype of an undefeated Olympic champion, but Pena smothered her grappling, never letting the newcomer find a rhythm. Pena battered Harrison with crisp boxing in the clinch and snuck in key takedowns of her own to keep the judges guessing. Harrison showed flashes—her hips are on another planet—but the smarter fighter won on the cards. Pena’s hand went up, and she clutched her women’s bantamweight belt for a second time. Harrison tasted her first loss, but don’t expect her to disappear—her presence shakes up a division that needs fresh faces.

Elsewhere on the main card, Kevin Holland stole some thunder. He forced Vicente Luque to tap with a D’arce choke in the second, then immediately grabbed the mic and threw shade at Colby Covington, turning the arena’s energy up a notch. If you like post-fight drama, Holland always delivers.

Another name fans were watching was Patchy Mix, the former Bellator champ making his big UFC debut. Mario Bautista ruined those plans, dominating him with technical striking and never giving Mix a chance to work his magic on the ground. The judges awarded Bautista a clean unanimous decision.

The prelims weren’t soft, either. Kelvin Gastelum, who’s been rebranding himself as a future title challenger, picked up a win—room to run for him down the line. Joe Pyfer had his hands full but lived to fight another day.

• UFC 316 didn’t just stick to the fights—a very different kind of celebrity showed up. Donald Trump, yes, the former president, walked to the octagon with UFC brass. That fueled wild chatter about whether he’s planning more cameos—or even deeper connections with the world of MMA. No one knows for sure, but it certainly gave the night an electric pop.

From daring chokes to buzzy celebrity sightings, UFC 316 gave everyone plenty to talk about.