UFC 316 is set to be a historic showdown featuring elite bantamweight fighters from both men’s and women’s divisions. Leading the card, Merab Dvalishvili prepares for his second title defense against former rival Sean O’Malley, while Julianna Peña seeks her first successful title defense against the formidable Kayla Harrison.
Main Event at UFC 316
After a significant win over Umar Nurmagomedov last January, Dvalishvili has positioned himself among the top pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC. Facing another fierce contender, dubbed “The Machine,” he aims to solidify his legacy as the greatest male bantamweight by overcoming his opponent from MMA Lab.
Sean O’Malley, who lost his title in a disappointing match against Dvalishvili at UFC 306, has been recovering from multiple injuries and hasn’t fought since. Eager to reclaim his status as the premier 135-pound athlete, “Suga” is set to clash with Dvalishvili once again at UFC 316, promising an exhilarating encounter.
Co-Main Event
Julianna Peña, returning after more than two years, captured the female bantamweight championship from her former Ultimate Fighter teammate Raquel Pennington at UFC 307, delighting fans. Now at her peak, “The Venezuelan Vixen” looks to defend her title against Kayla Harrison, who has been hailed as a leading figure in PFL.
Kayla Harrison has quickly risen in the UFC ranks, defeating notable opponents like Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira. As a two-time Olympic gold medalist, she has smoothly transitioned between weight classes and is determined to capture the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship, aiming for her most significant accolade yet.
Main Card Highlights
The UFC 316 main card will also feature Ultimate Fighter champion Kelvin Gastelum, who returns to middleweight to face fan-favorite Joe Pyfer. Additionally, Mario Bautista takes on the seasoned Patchy Mix, while welterweights Vicente Luque and Kevin Holland kick off the night’s events with an exciting matchup.
UFC 316 Predictions and Staff Selections
The MMASucka team has made predictions based on fights from prominent mixed martial arts organizations, including the UFC, PFL, ONE Championship, and Dana White’s Contender Series. Each event features multiple fights for staff picks, with records being tracked for accuracy.