Merab Dvalishvili

“UFC 316 Shocker: Merab Dvalishvili Dominates Sean O’Malley with Brutal Submission – Full Results & How to Watch”

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"UFC 316 Shocker: Merab Dvalishvili Dominates Sean O’Malley with Brutal Submission – Full Results & How to Watch"

Merab Dvalishvili Submits O’Malley in a Statement Victory

Merab Dvalishvili, widely known for his relentless pace and world-class cardio, proved once again why he’s one of the most feared fighters in the bantamweight division. “The Machine” put on a grappling clinic against Sean O’Malley, eventually tapping him out with a rare north-south choke in Round 3—his first submission victory in the UFC.

The 34-year-old Georgian wrestler improved his record to 20-4, with this win extending his impressive streak to 13 straight victories, tying him for the fourth-longest winning run in UFC history. With this win, he also moves to 2-0 against O’Malley, solidifying his dominance in the rivalry.

Despite showing improved takedown defense in the early rounds—blocking six of Dvalishvili’s first eight takedown attempts—O’Malley couldn’t keep up with the champ’s relentless pressure. By the third round, the wear and tear became evident as Dvalishvili secured three of his last four takedowns and forced a tap.

“He was well trained and prepared, but I’m getting better and better,” said Dvalishvili post-fight. “I have more tools in my pocket I’m still working on, and little by little I will show. Now it’s my time.”

What’s Next for Merab Dvalishvili?

After the fight, Dvalishvili turned his attention to Cory Sandhagen, calling him the most deserving next contender for the bantamweight strap.

“He’s been here so many times. He’s a good, respectful guy, and I like his jokes too,” Dvalishvili said, praising Sandhagen.

O’Malley’s First Career Losing Streak

Sean O’Malley, now 18-3 (1 NC), finds himself on the first losing streak of his professional MMA career. Known for his flashy style and knockout power, O’Malley has long been a fan favorite and one of the UFC’s top draws. However, after losing the title to Dvalishvili at UFC 306 and now suffering a second straight defeat, the road back to the top will be a challenging one.

“I didn’t feel like it was going to go like that,” O’Malley admitted. “Unfortunately, it did. Merab is a motherf***er.”

Co-Main Event: Kayla Harrison Becomes Women’s Bantamweight Champion

In the co-main event, Kayla Harrison (19-1) made history by submitting Julianna Peña (12-6) with a second-round kimura to claim the women’s bantamweight championship. This win marked Harrison’s rise to the top of the UFC after a storied run in PFL and international judo.

"UFC 316 Shocker: Merab Dvalishvili Dominates Sean O’Malley with Brutal Submission – Full Results & How to Watch"

After the win, Harrison had a post-fight staredown with MMA legend Amanda Nunes, who announced she would come out of retirement to challenge Harrison for the title. This sets up one of the most anticipated women’s bouts in recent UFC history.

UFC 316: Full Fight Results

🏆 Main Card (PPV – 10 p.m. ET)

  • Bantamweight Championship: Merab Dvalishvili def. Sean O’Malley via submission (north-south choke) at 4:42 of Round 3
  • Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Kayla Harrison def. Julianna Peña via submission (kimura) at 4:55 of Round 2
  • Middleweight: Joe Pyfer def. Kelvin Gastelum via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27)
  • Bantamweight: Mario Bautista def. Patchy Mix via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Welterweight: Kevin Holland def. Vicente Luque via submission (D’arce choke) at 1:03 of Round 2

🔥 Prelims (8 p.m. ET)

  • Flyweight: Joshua Van def. Bruno Silva via TKO at 4:01 of Round 3
  • Light Heavyweight: Azamat Murzakanov def. Brendson Ribeiro via TKO at 3:25 of Round 1
  • Heavyweight: Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Serghei Spivac via unanimous decision
  • Welterweight: Andreas Gustafsson def. Khaos Williams via unanimous decision

📺 Early Prelims (6 p.m. ET)

  • Catchweight (132 lbs): Wang Cong def. Ariane da Silva via unanimous decision
  • Featherweight: JooSang Yoo def. Jeka Saragih via KO at 0:28 of Round 1
  • Lightweight: Quillan Salkilld def. Yanal Ashmouz via unanimous decision
  • Lightweight: MarQuel Mederos def. Mark Choinski via unanimous decision

UFC 316 Schedule and How to Watch Online

Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025
Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Streaming Platform: ESPN+ (PPV)

🕒 UFC 316 Timings

  • Early Prelims: 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT
  • Prelims: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
  • Main Card: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT

Fans can stream the full fight card live on ESPN+ with a pay-per-view purchase.

How to Buy UFC 316 Pay-Per-View

To watch the main card, fans must purchase the PPV via ESPN+.

  • PPV only: $79.99
  • PPV + ESPN+ monthly plan: $91.98
  • PPV + ESPN+ annual plan: $134.98

Other Streaming Options

You can also access the early prelims and prelims with a regular ESPN+ subscription or on platforms such as:

  • Disney+ (with ESPN bundle)
  • Hulu + Live TV
  • Sling TV
  • DirecTV
  • FuboTV

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

❓ Can I watch UFC 316 for free?

No, UFC 316 is a pay-per-view event. The main card requires a separate purchase. However, early prelims and prelims are accessible via ESPN+ and select streaming platforms.

❓ What time does UFC 316 start?

UFC 316 kicks off with early prelims at 6 p.m. ET, followed by prelims at 8 p.m. ET, and the main card at 10 p.m. ET.

❓ Who won the Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley rematch?

Merab Dvalishvili successfully defended his bantamweight title by submitting Sean O’Malley in the third round.

Final Thoughts

UFC 316 delivered on every level—from brutal finishes to historic title shifts. Merab Dvalishvili’s star continues to rise as he cements his place among the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Meanwhile, Kayla Harrison’s ascension sets up a legacy-defining bout against Amanda Nunes.

With a stacked card, unexpected outcomes, and legends returning, UFC 316 may go down as one of the most exciting events of 2025. Don’t miss the replays and highlights now streaming on ESPN+.

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