Saturday night’s return to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, for UFC 316 delivered a memorable evening of action in “The Garden State.” The main card featured a series of electrifying bouts that showcased the skill and determination of the fighters. From Kevin Holland's impressive victory to Merab Dvalishvili's title defense, UFC 316 was a night to remember.
The main card kicked off with Kevin Holland, who secured a dynamic second-round submission win over Vicente Luque. Holland, known for his entertaining style, utilized a D’arce choke to finish Luque just over a minute into the second round. This marked a significant victory for Holland, adding momentum to his career after a previous setback in the middleweight division.
Next up was Mario Bautista, who faced off against Patchy Mix in what was Mix's promotional debut. Bautista showcased his superior striking and grappling skills, earning a unanimous decision victory and extending his winning streak to eight. With this win, Bautista solidified his position as a rising star in the bantamweight division.
The co-main event featured Kayla Harrison, who faced two-time champion Julianna Peña. Harrison dominated the fight, ultimately winning by submission with a kimura in the second round. This victory not only crowned her as the new UFC women’s bantamweight champion but also made her one of the few Olympic gold medalists to hold a UFC title, joining the ranks of Henry Cejudo. After her win, Harrison called out Amanda Nunes, setting the stage for an anticipated showdown later this year.
The main event saw Merab Dvalishvili defend his bantamweight title against Sean O'Malley in a highly anticipated rematch. Dvalishvili continued to assert his dominance in the bantamweight division, submitting O'Malley with a ninja choke in the third round. This victory marked Dvalishvili's 13th consecutive win, further solidifying his status as one of the best bantamweights in UFC history.
Here’s a summary of the main card results from UFC 316:
Merab Dvalishvili defeats Sean O’Malley by submission (ninja choke) at 4:42 of Round 3 Kayla Harrison defeats Julianna Peña by submission (kimura) at 4:55 of Round 2 Joe Pyfer defeats Kelvin Gastelum by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27) Mario Bautista defeats Patchy Mix by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) Kevin Holland defeats Vicente Luque by submission (D’arce choke) at 1:03 of Round 2The preliminary card also showcased exciting matchups, with several fighters making their mark:
Joshua Van defeats Bruno Silva by TKO (strikes) at 4:01 of Round 3 Azamat Murzakanov defeats Brendson Ribeiro by TKO (strikes) at 3:25 of Round 1 Waldo Cortes Acosta defeats Serghei Spivac by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) Andreas Gustafsson defeats Khaos Williams by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26) Wang Cong defeats Ariane da Silva by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) JooSang Yoo defeats Jeka Saragih by KO (left hook) at 0:28 of Round 1 Quillan Salkilld defeats Yanal Ashmouz by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) MarQuel Mederos defeats Mark Choinski by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs O'Malley 2 was a thrilling event that highlighted the incredible talent within the organization. Fans can look forward to more exciting matchups as the UFC continues to deliver high-stakes fights. Be sure to catch future events and witness the next chapter in the careers of these remarkable fighters!
