On June 7, 2025, UFC 316 unfolded at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The event brought major shifts in the bantamweight and women’s divisions. Not only did it feature career-defining performances, but it also delivered decisive outcomes across the board. This pivotal event set a strong tone for the UFC’s second-half 2025 schedule. Headlining the card was a title rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley, while Kayla Harrison’s title bout with Julianna Peña served as the co-main event. Here is the UFC 316 Recap:
Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili 2: Bantamweight Championship
In the night’s main event, Merab Dvalishvili defended his bantamweight championship against Sean O’Malley in a heated rematch. Their previous meeting ended in a controversial decision, prompting this definitive showdown.
Dvalishvili wasted no time. He set a relentless pace with takedowns and top pressure. Meanwhile, O’Malley tried to use range and jabs to create space. However, Dvalishvili’s wrestling and cardio were overwhelming. In Round 3, he locked in a modified north-south choke—later dubbed “The Machine Choke”—forcing O’Malley to tap at 4:42.
This victory marked Dvalishvili’s first finish in a title fight and extended his win streak to eleven. It also silenced critics questioning his ability to stop elite strikers. Moreover, he jumped to number two in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings, surpassing Jon Jones and Ilia Topuria.
Afterward, Dvalishvili called for a matchup with Cory Sandhagen, eyeing another high-profile test in one of the UFC’s deepest divisions.
Kayla Harrison Defeats Julianna Peña to Win UFC Bantamweight Title
In the co-main event, Kayla Harrison made her UFC bantamweight debut against Julianna Peña for the vacant 135-pound title. Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and former PFL champion, admitted that cutting to 135 nearly broke her physically and mentally.
Despite the struggle, Harrison delivered. She scored a takedown in the first round and controlled Peña with ease. In the second round, Harrison advanced to side control and transitioned into a kimura submission. Peña tapped with only five seconds left in the round. With the win, Harrison became the UFC women’s bantamweight champion in her debut.
Following the win, Amanda Nunes entered the Octagon and announced her return. Now, a highly anticipated clash between Nunes and Harrison appears imminent.
Peña, who sustained serious shoulder and elbow injuries, was issued an indefinite medical suspension. Despite this, she stated she plans to recover and eventually challenge the winner of Harrison vs Nunes.
Kevin Holland Submits Vicente Luque in Welterweight Clash
Kevin Holland returned to action in a welterweight matchup against Vicente Luque. Known for his unpredictable style and striking, Holland took a more composed approach this time. He maintained control in the grappling exchanges and capitalized on an opening in round two. Securing a D’Arce choke, Holland forced Luque to tap. The win earned Holland a Performance of the Night bonus and helped him climb back into contention in the stacked welterweight division.
Joe Pyfer Outpoints Kelvin Gastelum in Middleweight Showcase
In a crucial middleweight bout, Joe Pyfer faced longtime contender Kelvin Gastelum. From the start, Pyfer used jab combos and footwork to avoid Gastelum’s forward pressure.
Although Gastelum had moments of success, Pyfer’s precision and control made the difference. After three rounds, Pyfer won by unanimous decision, keeping his win streak alive and setting up a likely fight with a ranked opponent.
Mario Bautista Outduels Patchy Mix in Bantamweight Showdown
Another notable contest featured Mario Bautista versus former Bellator champion Patchy Mix. Bautista executed a sharp game plan—mixing leg kicks, tight boxing, and takedown defense—to keep Mix on the back foot.
After three rounds of technical exchanges, the judges awarded Bautista a unanimous decision win. This performance may earn him a spot in the bantamweight top 10.
Preliminary Card Highlights: Quick Finishes and Rising Stars
The UFC 316 prelims delivered high drama and violent finishes:
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Joo Sang Yoo scored a 28-second knockout against Jeka Saragih, one of the fastest in UFC lightweight history
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Joshua Van showcased striking dominance with a third-round TKO win over Bruno Silva
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Azamat Murzakanov earned a first-round TKO win over Brendson Ribeiro with crisp and powerful striking
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In the heavyweight division, Waldo Cortes-Acosta picked up a unanimous decision win over Serghei Spivac
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On the early prelims, MarQuel Mederos, Wang Cong, Quillan Salkilld, and Andreas Gustafsson all claimed decision victories
UFC 316 Bonuses
Four fighters earned post-fight bonuses at UFC 316:
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Performance of the Night: Joo Sang Yoo and Kevin Holland
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Fight of the Night: Joe Pyfer vs. Kelvin Gastelum
These bonuses highlighted the event’s mix of dramatic finishes and technical excellence.
UFC Rankings Fallout and What Comes Next
UFC 316 led to several major updates in the official rankings. Merab Dvalishvili moved into second place in the UFC’s pound-for-pound standings, while Kayla Harrison debuted as number one in the women’s bantamweight division.
Despite losing, Sean O’Malley remained in the bantamweight top five, though questions about his future surfaced immediately. Meanwhile, Julianna Peña now faces recovery and a long layoff before returning to title contention.
Looking ahead, UFC 317 is scheduled for July 12, 2025, in Las Vegas. The card will feature a lightweight title bout along with some more exciting matchups. Future key narratives include Dvalishvili’s possible title defense against Sandhagen and Harrison’s rise toward becoming the most decorated female fighter in MMA history. The futures of both Peña and O’Malley are also under speculation as each looks to rebound from setbacks.
Conclusion
UFC 316 proved to be a major turning point in 2025’s MMA season. Merab Dvalishvili’s dominant finish reaffirmed his position as the bantamweight king. Kayla Harrison’s title-winning debut introduced a new contender at the top of the women’s ranks. Meanwhile, standout performances from Kevin Holland, Joe Pyfer, and others kept the night full of momentum-shifting action. As the UFC moves toward its summer schedule, the ripple effects from UFC 316 will continue to shape the storylines and divisions in the months to come.
