UFC 316 Recap: Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2 – A Night of Redemption, Dominance, and Rising Stars

Live from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, UFC 316 delivered in every way — from brutal knockouts to jaw-dropping submissions. Headlined by two blockbuster title fights, this stacked card kept fans on the edge of their seats all night.

Main Event: Dvalishvili Silences the Hype Again

(C) Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili (19-4) once again proved he has Sean O’Malley’s number. In their highly anticipated rematch, Dvalishvili defended his title in dominant fashion, shutting down the flashy striker’s offense with relentless pressure and grappling.

It’s his second title defense in 2025 and a performance that further cements his place atop the 135-pound mountain. For O’Malley (18-2, 1 NC), it’s back to the drawing board.

Co-Main Event: Peña Holds Off the Storm

(C) Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison
In her toughest test yet, two-time champ Julianna Peña (13-5) stood her ground against Olympic judoka and rising contender Kayla Harrison (18-1).

The bout was a gritty battle between Peña’s scrappy volume and Harrison’s powerhouse grappling. In the end, Peña dug deep and did just enough to earn a hard-fought decision, silencing critics and holding onto her bantamweight belt.

Main Card Highlights

Mario Bautista Hands Patchy Mix First UFC Loss

Result: Bautista def. Mix via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Mario Bautista extended his win streak to eight in a clinical performance against the debuting Patchy Mix. From the opening bell, Bautista was sharp, slick, and in control, out-landing Mix and exploiting defensive holes.

This was a big statement for Bautista, especially after his controversial win over Jose Aldo. Beating a former Bellator champ this decisively could finally earn him a top-tier name next.

Kevin Holland Submits Luque With His Own Move

Result: Holland def. Luque via Submission (D’arce choke) – Round 2, 1:03

Kevin Holland pulled off one of the night’s most poetic finishes, tapping Vicente Luque with a D’arce choke — Luque’s signature submission. After landing a nasty elbow in Round 1, Holland capitalized in Round 2, taking Luque down and locking in the choke.

That’s back-to-back wins for “Trailblazer,” who seems back in form after a rocky start to the year.

More Main Card and Prelim Results

• Joshua Van def. Bruno Silva via TKO (strikes), Round 3, 4:01
• Azamat Murzakanov def. Brendson Ribeiro via TKO (strikes), Round 1, 3:25
• Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Serghei Spivac via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Andreas Gustafsson def. Khaos Williams via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
• Wang Cong def. Ariane da Silva via Unanimous Decision (30-27 across the board)
• JooSang Yoo def. Jeka Saragih via KO (left hook), Round 1, 0:28
• Quillan Salkilld def. Yanal Ashmouz via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• MarQuel Mederos def. Mark Choinski via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

How to Watch the Replay

If you missed the action, you can still catch all the fights:

• Main Card Replay: Available on ESPN+ PPV
• Prelims & Early Prelims: Stream on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and UFC Fight Pass

Final Word

UFC 316 wasn’t just a night of fights — it was a showcase of what makes this sport so compelling: heart, grit, and unforgettable moments. Dvalishvili continues his reign, Peña holds the line, and rising names like Bautista and Holland make serious moves up the ladder.

Keep an eye on these fighters — the second half of 2025 is already looking wild.