UFC 316: Man vs. Machine
Foreword:
The 135-pound gold was on the line in both the men's and women's divisions. The main event saw Merab Dvalishvili make his second title defense in a rematch against former champion "Suga" Sean O'Malley for the men's bantamweight championship. In the co-main event, Julianna Peña looked to secure her first title defense against former Olympic judo champion and UFC newcomer Kayla Harrison.
Card Rating: 7.3
Main Event Rating: 7.7
Highlights of the Night: Kayla Harrison (Kimura), Merab Dvalishvili (North-South choke), Kevin Holland (D'Arce choke)
Fight of the Night: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer
Honorable Mentions: Azamat Murzakanov (KO), JooSang Yoo (KO), Joshua Van (TKO)
Build-Up:
The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, played host to two massive title fights at 135 pounds. On the men's side, Merab "The Machine" Dvalishvili has been steamrolling through the division, riding a 13-fight win streak with a résumé that stands among the best in the sport. Leading up to the fight, discussions already placed Merab in contention as one of, if not the greatest bantamweight of all time. Sean O'Malley, a former champion and longtime elite contender, carried lingering doubts after his previous loss to Merab. Yet O'Malley, ever the student of the game, seemed to have studied their first fight and made the right adjustments for this crucial rematch.
In the co-main event, Julianna Peña aimed to further her legacy after recapturing the 135-pound belt to become a two-time champion. But with the women's division in need of fresh challenges, the arrival of Kayla Harrison brought a sense of revitalization. Harrison's elite judo pedigree and physical dominance made her the clear favorite, though Peña's trademark relentlessness and grit promised to push the newcomer to her limits.
The Fight:
The main event offered both men a chance to cement their place among the bantamweight greats. O'Malley sought to prove the division was still the "Suga Show," while Merab looked to remove any controversy from their first meeting with a definitive statement. The Machine's inhuman pace and ever-expanding skillset made him appear in a league of his own.
The co-main event was charged with animosity, the pre-fight mental warfare and verbal exchanges adding fuel to the fire. Harrison entered as the favorite, though questions remained about how her demanding cut to 135 pounds would affect her performance when it mattered most.
The Outcome:
Both the main and co-main events could be described with one word: dominance.
In the main event, Merab Dvalishvili proved too much for O'Malley once again, securing a third-round submission. O'Malley showed clear improvements in his grappling and cardio, but where he elevated his game by 10%, Merab surged ahead by 40%. The Machine lived up to his moniker, suffocating O'Malley with relentless pressure from bell to bell. At this point, Merab appears unstoppable, further separating himself from the pack.
The co-main event erased any doubts about Harrison as she delivered a commanding performance, submitting Peña in the second round. While Peña's heart and skillset remain undeniable, Harrison's physical advantages and elite judo background made this a lopsided affair.
Afterthought:
Machines 2 — Humans 0. The era of mechanical dominance is here. Merab Dvalishvili is redefining the limits of endurance and technique, solidifying his case as the bantamweight GOAT. Meanwhile, Kayla Harrison's coronation as champion feels almost unfair—her freakish strength and technical prowess make her a nightmare matchup for any woman at 135 pounds. A superfight with a legend of women's MMA may be the only way to truly test her.
UFC 316 Highlights:
The New Jersey card delivered thrilling action, with four fighters earning performance bonuses. Kevin Holland reminded everyone he's still a problem at welterweight, submitting veteran Vicente Luque in impressive fashion. However, it was another disappointing UFC debut for a Bellator standout, as Patchy Mix came up short against Mario Bautista.
Other notable performances included Azamat Murzakanov's brutal first-round knockout, JooSang Yoo's lightning-fast finish, and Joshua Van's hard-fought TKO victory over a game Bruno Silva.
This event marked the rise of the "machines" and set the stage for an intriguing new chapter in the bantamweight divisions.
