UFC 316 is set to deliver an electrifying night of mixed martial arts action on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Headlining the event is a highly anticipated rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley for the UFC Bantamweight Championship. The co-main event features a clash for the women’s bantamweight title between reigning champion Julianna Peña and Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison.
Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2
In their first encounter at UFC 306, Merab Dvalishvili dethroned Sean O’Malley with a dominant unanimous decision, utilizing his superior wrestling to secure six takedowns and control the fight. This victory not only earned Dvalishvili the bantamweight title but also set a new UFC record for most takedowns in the division.
Since then, Dvalishvili has successfully defended his title against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311, showcasing his relentless pace and grappling prowess. Despite suffering a broken pinky toe during training, Dvalishvili remains unfazed, humorously stating, “I still have nine other toes.”
Sean O’Malley, determined to reclaim his title, has made significant lifestyle changes ahead of the rematch. He has eliminated distractions such as social media, marijuana use, and video gaming, focusing entirely on his training. O’Malley has also addressed his previous hip injury, undergoing surgery and enlisting the help of former champions like Demetrious Johnson to enhance his grappling defense.
Co-Main Event: Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison
The co-main event features a compelling matchup between Julianna Peña and Kayla Harrison for the women’s bantamweight championship. Peña, who reclaimed the title with a split-decision victory over Raquel Pennington at UFC 307, aims to solidify her reign against a formidable challenger.
Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist, has quickly ascended the UFC ranks with impressive victories over Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira. Confident in her abilities, Harrison has dismissed comparisons to former champion Ronda Rousey, asserting that Rousey “doesn’t hold a candle to my career.”
Full Fight Card
Main Card:
- Bantamweight Title Bout: Merab Dvalishvili (c) vs. Sean O’Malley
- Women’s Bantamweight Title Bout: Julianna Peña (c) vs. Kayla Harrison
- Bantamweight Bout: Mario Bautista vs. Marlon “Chito” Vera
- Light Heavyweight Bout: Johnny Walker vs. Azamat Murzakanov
- Flyweight Bout: Bruno Silva vs. Joshua Van
- Heavyweight Bout: Serghei Spivac vs. Shamil Gaziev
Preliminary Card:
- Welterweight Bout: Khaos Williams vs. Andreas Gustafsson
- Lightweight Bout: MarQuel Mederos vs. Mark Choinski
Viewing Information
For fans in Bangladesh (BST), the main card is expected to begin at 8:00 AM on Sunday, June 8, 2025. The event will be available for live streaming via UFC Fight Pass and local broadcasters. Please check your local listings for exact broadcast times and channels.
Anticipated Highlights
UFC 316 promises to be a landmark event with high-stakes matchups and potential title changes. The rematch between Dvalishvili and O’Malley offers a classic striker versus grappler dynamic, with both fighters making significant adjustments since their last meeting. Meanwhile, the co-main event showcases the clash between Peña’s championship experience and Harrison’s Olympic pedigree.
With a stacked card featuring rising contenders and seasoned veterans, UFC 316 is poised to deliver an unforgettable night of fights.