UFC 316 delivered two unforgettable title fights—Merab Dvalishvili dominated Sean O’Malley once again, while Kayla Harrison made history by submitting Julianna Peña. Get full results, performance highlights, and what’s next for UFC champions.
📅 Event Overview
Date: June 7, 2025
Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Promotion: Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley 2
Co-Main Event: Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison
UFC 316 stood out for its high-profile rematch, a major women's title shift, and a surprise appearance that grabbed global headlines.
🏆 Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2
Result: Merab Dvalishvili defeated Sean O’Malley via submission (north-south choke), Round 3
Merab Dvalishvili successfully defended his bantamweight title by once again defeating Sean O’Malley, showcasing dominant grappling and relentless pressure. The Georgian powerhouse displayed relentless pressure, high-volume takedowns, and elite-level grappling.
- 3O’Malley stepped into the octagon aiming to settle the score after his previous defeat at UFC 306, but he struggled to counter Dvalishvili’s superior wrestling skills.
- Dvalishvili earned a Performance of the Night bonus and extended his winning streak to 13 consecutive fights.
✅ Source: MMA Mania - UFC 316 Results
🥋 Co-Main Event: Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison
Co-Main Event Recap:
Kayla Harrison showcased her grappling expertise by forcing Julianna Peña to tap out with a kimura in Round 2, marking a dominant performance in her UFC campaign.
This was one of the most anticipated fights in recent women’s MMA history. Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, made her mark by capturing the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship in just her third UFC bout.
1. Peña tried to keep the fight standing, but Harrison’s judo and ground game proved too much.
2. Following her impressive victory, Harrison didn’t hold back and publicly challenged former champion Amanda Nunes, who was watching from ringside.🔥 Other Notable Fights & Highlights
Kevin Holland vs. Vicente Luque
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Result: Holland won via D’Arce choke submission, Round 2
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Another Performance of the Night for Holland, who continues to evolve with every fight.
Joe Pyfer vs. Kelvin Gastelum
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Result: Pyfer won via unanimous decision
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Originally scheduled for UFC 302, the fight finally happened, and Pyfer controlled most of the bout.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Serghei Spivac
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Result: Cortes-Acosta won via TKO, Round 2
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With Shamil Gaziev injured, Cortes-Acosta stepped in on short notice and made the most of the opportunity.
Other Highlights
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Mario Bautista edged out Marlon Vera in a tight bantamweight contest.
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Flyweight contender Joshua Van scored another exciting victory over Bruno Silva.
🎖️ Bonuses & Awards
| Category | Fighter |
|---|---|
| Fight of the Night | Joe Pyfer vs. Gastelum |
| Performance of the Night | Merab Dvalishvili |
| Performance of the Night | Kayla Harrison |
| Performance of the Night | Kevin Holland |
Each winner received a $50,000 performance bonus.
👀 Donald Trump’s Surprise Appearance
In an unexpected turn, former U.S. President Donald Trump appeared at UFC 316, sitting cage-side with UFC President Dana White and Mike Tyson. Trump’s entrance generated loud cheers from the Newark crowd and viral buzz online.
His presence—along with speculation about a future return to office—added a political twist to the evening. He was seen greeting several fighters backstage, including Kevin Holland and Kayla Harrison.
📈 Rankings Impact & What’s Next
Merab Dvalishvili
With back-to-back wins over O’Malley, Dvalishvili has firmly established himself as the top bantamweight. Possible future challengers:
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Cory Sandhagen
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Petr Yan rematch
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Umar Nurmagomedov (rising star)
Kayla Harrison
Now a UFC champion, Harrison has set her sights on a blockbuster fight with Amanda Nunes. UFC President Dana White hinted that Nunes vs. Harrison could headline a 2025 mega-event, possibly International Fight Week.
Kevin Holland
After another spectacular submission win, Holland is knocking on the door of the welterweight top five.
💬 Fan Reactions & Criticism
Despite the electric fights, UFC 316 received mixed pre-fight reviews due to the rematch-heavy main card. However, the final outcomes turned the narrative around, especially with the high-level performances and Trump’s surprise appearance.
Fans on social media praised the event, calling it one of the year’s most overlooked and exciting pay-per-views.
🧠 Final Thoughts
UFC 316 proved doubters wrong. From world-class grappling to shocking submissions and a dose of political spectacle, it had something for everyone.
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Merab Dvalishvili is now a dominant, must-watch champion.
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Kayla Harrison might be the next great icon of women's MMA.
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Kevin Holland continues to build his highlight reel.
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Celebrity Spotlight: The event also grabbed mainstream attention as former U.S. President Donald Trump made a high-profile appearance, drawing reactions across both sports and political circles.
As UFC turns its attention to International Fight Week and UFC 317, the stakes are higher than ever. Visit here to read Larry Hoover related news.
💥 Stay Tuned for More:
Looking ahead, UFC 317 is already building hype with names like Khamzat Chimaev, Dricus du Plessis, and a possible comeback for Conor McGregor promising an electrifying lineup.
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