UFC 316: Two Thrilling Bantamweight Title Fights Headline the card

The highly anticipated UFC 316 event has officially announced its main and co-main events, featuring two electrifying bantamweight title fights. On June 7th, the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, will play host to these thrilling matchups. In the headline bout, reigning champion Merab Dvalishvili will put his 135lb title on the line against the man he dethroned in September, Sean O’Malley. Meanwhile, Julianna Pena will defend her women’s bantamweight title against Kayla Harrison in the co-main event.

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Dvalishvili, the Georgian champion, will be making his second title defense since claiming the belt from O’Malley in September. The 34-year-old successfully retained his title in January with a comeback points victory over Umar Nurmagomedov. On the other hand, O’Malley, also known as “Sugar Sean,” has not competed since losing the belt and faces a rematch against the champion. The American’s worthiness of a rematch has sparked debate among fans, with some questioning whether he deserves another shot at the title.

O’Malley’s rise to prominence began with a knockout victory over Aljamain Sterling in 2023, securing the gold. He successfully defended his title once, outpointing Marlon Vera in a rematch. However, Vera’s candidacy for the title fight was also met with skepticism at the time.

Co-main event

In the co-main event, Julianna Pena will put her women’s bantamweight title on the line for the first time in her second reign. The American, 35, regained the title in October with a narrow decision victory over Raquel Pennington. Pena’s first stint as champion began in December 2021, when she shocked the world by submitting all-time great Amanda Nunes. Although she lost the title to Nunes in their rematch, Pena’s resilience and determination have earned her a second chance at glory.

Challenger Kayla Harrison, a former PFL champion, joined the UFC in April last year and has been making waves in the women’s bantamweight division. The 34-year-old submitted ex-UFC titleholder Holly Holm in her promotional debut and followed up with a points victory over Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307, where Pena regained the title.

Taking TWO title fights to the Garden State 🏆🏆@MerabDvalishvil vs @SugaSeanMMA 2@VenezuelanVixen vs @KaylaH

[ #UFC316 | @Visit_NJ ] pic.twitter.com/rVZUgoK9C9
— UFC (@ufc) April 1, 2025

What fans can expect

With these two thrilling title fights headlining the bill, UFC 316 promises to be an unforgettable event. As the world of mixed martial arts continues to evolve, fans can expect an evening of electrifying action, suspense, and drama. Will Dvalishvili successfully defend his title against O’Malley, or will the American challenger pull off a stunning upset? Can Pena retain her title against the formidable Harrison, or will the challenger’s skills prove too much for the champion? The answers to these questions will be revealed on June 7th at UFC 316.