Merab Dvalishvili produced another dominant title defence to submit Sean O’Malley in their rematch at UFC 316 and stake his claim as the greatest bantamweight of all time.
Dvalishvili made his second defence of the belt, having dethroned O’Malley with a comprehensive decision win in September, before outpointing Umar Nurmagomedov in a stunning comeback in January. And after going two rounds up, he locked in a neck crank in the third round to secure the first finish of his title reign.
It came after Kayla Harrison dethroned Julianna Pena in the co-main event to become the UFC’s bantamweight queen, promptly using the throne to invite women’s GOAT Amanda Nunes to return from retirement in a mouth-watering clash. In lifting the title, judo-master Harrison became only the second athlete ever to boast an Olympic gold medal and UFC gold on their resume.
Also in action were former Bellator champion Patchy Mix, whose UFC debut proved incredibly underwhelming as he lost convincingly to Mario Bautista, as well as fan favourite Kevin Holland, who kicked off the main card with a submission victory over Vicente Luque.
Relive all the action from UFC 316 below:
UFC 316 live
- Merab Dvalishvili submits Sean O'Malley to retain men’s bantamweight title in main event
- Kayla Harrison defeated Julianna Pena to win the bantamweight title in the co-main event
- Amanda Nunes confirmed her UFC return post-fight to set up mammoth bout against Harrison
- Patchy Mix failed to impress on his debut as Mario Bautista stormed to a convincing victory
Merab Dvalishvili submits Sean O'Malley to retain bantamweight title
07:20 , Will Castle
UFC 316 LIVE: Full results
07:01 , Will CastleMerab Dvalishvili def. Sean O’Malley via third-round decision (neck crank, 4:41)
Kayla Harrison def. Julianna Pena vs second-round submission (kimura lock, 4:55)
Joe Pyfer def. Kelvin Gastelum via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27)
Mario Bautista def. Patchy Mix via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Kevin Holland def. Vicente Luque via second-round decision (D’Arce choke, 1:03)
Joshua Van def. Bruno Silva via third-round TKO (ground strikes, 4:01)
Azamat Murzakanov def. Brendson Ribeiro via first-round knockout (ground strikes, 3:25)
Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Serghei Spivac via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Andreas Gustafsson def. Khaos Williams via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Wang Cong def. Ariane da Silva via unanimous decsion (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Yoo Joo-sang def. Jeka Saragih via first-round knockout (left hook, 0:28)
Quillan Salkilld def. Yanal Ashmouz via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
MarQuel Mederos def. Mark Choinski via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
UFC 316 LIVE: No bitterness from Suga Sean
06:45 , Will CastleA grateful Suga Show 🙏#UFC316 | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/LzssPU177r
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) June 8, 2025
UFC 316 LIVE: Merab Dvalishvili's post-fight thoughts
06:30 , Will CastleMERAB JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER!! 💯#UFC316 | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/8vtK8v1ZCl
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) June 8, 2025
UFC 316 LIVE: Merab Dvalishvili names next challenger
06:18 , Will CastleMerab Dvalishvili wants Cory Sandhagen next after submitting Sean O’Malley.
Inject it into my veins.
UFC 316 LIVE: Merab Dvalishvili submits Sean O'Malley to retain bantamweight title
06:15 , Will CastleWho can stop this man?
MERAB TAPPED OUT THE SUGA SHOW!! 😮💨 🇬🇪 🏆#UFC316 | Saturday | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/hM2BKgKn3j
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) June 8, 2025
UFC 316 LIVE: Merab Dvalishvili vs Sean O'Malley 2
06:02 , Will CastleRound three
Merab remains on the offensive and finally gets the takedown as he picks up and DUMPS O’Malley on the mat! We know Merab can compete on the feet, but this is where the Georgian wants to be.
O’Malley struggles and manages to briefly get back to his feet against the fence. But with Merab strangling his hips, he’s able to quickly land takedown number four.
Merab could well by on course to go 3-0 up in this fight - but he’s not settling for a decision! He goes for the neck crank, locks it in and O’MALLEY TAPS! AND STILLLLLLL!
Merab Dvalishvili def. Sean O’Malley via third-round decision (neck crank, 4:41)
Are we looking at the bantamweight GOAT? PHENOMENAL!
UFC 316 LIVE: Merab Dvalishvili vs Sean O'Malley 2
05:55 , Will CastleRound two
Merab rocks Suga just a tad early on with a really nice hook. His striking has vastly improved.
O’Malley comes back with a fierce shot of his own which Merab eats up. They’re now trading punches. Big overhand from Merab gets Suga up against the fence, but he does well to slip out of danger and back into space.
Merab tries to enter to clinch, once again O’Malley slips out. From there, he lands a left flush on the nose of Dvalishvili. Merab responds with another big right hand, bit O’Malley expertly defends the ensuing takedown attempts.
This has been largely on the feet. As O’Malley predicted, this has been a completely different fight to the first.
UFC 316 LIVE: Merab Dvalishvili vs Sean O'Malley 2
05:49 , Will CastleRound one
The O’Malley-partisan crowd are deafening as both try and suss each other out early on.
O’Malley goes to the body before clipping with a jab. He’s staying on the outside and running around, looking for that opening to unload his powerful right.
But it’s Merab who gets the first proper breakthrough of the fight! He clips him with a hook before O’Malley seems to trip, allowing Merab to pounce and try to get it to the mat. However, unlike in the first fight, Suga finds a response and quickly gets to his feet!
He then goes for a knee which Merab counters, causing Suga to slip. This time, the fight stays on the mat, albeit at a RAPID pace! Merab is on top and laying in the ground and pound, which should be enough for him to take the first round.
UFC 316 LIVE: Merab Dvalishvili vs Sean O'Malley 2
05:44 , Will CastleFive rounds for the bantamweight title. The rematch we’ve all been waiting for. AND WE ARE UNDERWAY!
UFC 316 LIVE: Crowd falls over barrier during Dvalishvili walkout
05:38 , Will CastleFans toppled over the barrier as Merab Dvalishvili walked into the arena, knocking into a cameraman.
Luckily, it looked like no-one was badly hurt. That could’ve been serious.
Anyway, onto the main event. Bruce Buffer, do your thing.
UFC 316 LIVE: Sean O’Malley walks out with surprise cornerman
05:33 , Alex PattleO’Malley walks out with his father in his corner tonight, having said at Thursday’s press conference: “It’s a cool gift to be able to give your dad.
“His 60th birthday, he’s gonna be sitting there cageside, watching me fight. There’s nothing better I could give to him. I’m excited for him to be in there.”
More here:
Sean O’Malley to have surprise cornerman in UFC 316 rematch with Merab Dvalishvili
UFC 316 LIVE: Main event time!
05:32 , Will CastleLadies and gentlemen, the time has come!
Tonight’s action culminates with the high stakes rematch between bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley.
Dvalishvili makes his second defence of the belt here, having dethroned O’Malley with a comprehensive decision win in September, before outpointing Umar Nurmagomedov in a stunning comeback in January.
Tonight’s main event is a classic striker versus grappler match-up, with “Sugar Sean” confident he can find the knockout blow that he was unable to produce in his first clash with the Georgian grappler.
Can O’Malley find the goods he failed to deliver in Vegas? We’ll have the answer, right here. Do not go anywhere!
AMANDA NUNES CONFIRMS RETURN!
05:23 , Will CastleKayla Harrison has just invited women’s GOAT Amanda Nunes into the cage after calling her out - and Nunes has ACCEPTED the challenge!
We are getting Harrison vs Nunes. Wow, wow, wow!
Kayla Harrison: 'I wanted to quit'
05:21 , Will Castle“On Thursday night I wanted to quit, I wanted to give up,” Harrison said in an emotional post-fight speech. “But there’s a small voice inside of you that will tell you not to give up, so don’t give up.
“Only God can get that last pound off me,” she added on the brutal bantamweight weight cut. “I can’t do it, I’m not strong enough, it’s too hard. You’ve got to go to a bad place. The only way through is to surrender and have faith.”
UFC 316 LIVE: Kayla Harrison wins bantamweight title
05:17 , Will CastleJulianna Pena knew she could not survive the final seconds of that round without her arm snapping. A ruthless submission by Kayla Harrison.
KAYLA HARRISON BY SUBMISSION TO BECOME THE CHAMP!!! 🏆#UFC316 | Saturday | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/2ylWFiyQ5x
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) June 8, 2025
UFC 316 LIVE: Julianna Pena vs Kayla Harrison
05:14 , Will CastleRound two
Pena is scampering around the edge and not going on the offensive nearly enough in these early rounds. On the scorecards, this could be over by the end of the third.
Harrison gets Pena up against the cage before bringing her down once again. On top, Harrison is in complete control. Pena then rolls and partially gives up her back before Harrison moves into half guard.
A failed attempt at a Japanese arm triangle comes and goes, but as the slapper sounds, she goes for the kimura - AND PENA TAPS INSTANTLY! AND NEWWWWW!
Kayla Harrison def. Julianna Pena vs second-round submission (kimura lock, 4:55)
There is a new bantamweight queen in the UFC!
UFC 316 LIVE: Julianna Pena vs Kayla Harrison
05:07 , Will CastleRound one
Five rounds booked in with bantamweight gold at stake. Here we go!
Harrison looks absolutely massive - crazy to think she’s made 135lbs. Her gameplan is clear: use striking to patrol the distance before shooting for the takedown and utilising her elite grappling acumen.
Harrison gets Pena up against the fence and just like that, drags the champ to the ground. This is worst case scenario for Pena as she enters Harrison’s playground.
Pena initially does well to survive. She pulls butterfly guard before moving to full. However, with Harrison on top, Pena flings two illegal up-kicks. The ref immediately steps in and, crucially, takes a point off Pena. That could be MASSIVE!
That’s a 10-8 round for Harrison. “Julianna Pena, what a beautiful round” is a phrase heard from the champ’s corner. I’m not sure about that...
UFC 316 LIVE: New champion inbound?
04:56 , Will CastleKayla Harrison is the -675 favourite for tonight’s co-main event. Bantamweight queen Julianna Pena has a serious challenge on her hands...
Coming for the gold 🏆
— UFC (@ufc) June 8, 2025
[ #UFC316 | @KaylaH ] pic.twitter.com/j9UbuMVrqI
UFC 316 LIVE: Co-main event is upon us!
04:48 , Will CastleTime for tonight’s co-main event as gold is put on the line!
The women’s bantamweight title will be contested as Julianna Pena aims to extend her second reign, taking on Olympic judo champion Kayla Harrison, who previously held gold in the PFL as well.
Harrison, unbeaten in the UFC, poses a serious threat to Pena’s status on the throne - but she’s overcome worse odds before...
UFC 316 LIVE: Kelvin Gastelum vs Joe Pyfer
04:45 , Will CastleJoe Pyfer apologises to the crowd for “the boring fight” and assures he usually gets finishes - he was just acutely wary of Kelvin Gastelum’s knack for getting hit and coming back harder.
UFC 316 LIVE: Kelvin Gastelum vs Joe Pyfer
04:42 , Will CastleRound three
Gastelum is stepping it up. He’s moving on the offensive and chipping away at Pyfer, taking advantage of the fact Pyfer isn’t throwing much. Saying that, when Pyfer throws, he connects big - as seen when the American echoes a big overhand off the Mexican’s head.
Kelvin then responds with his biggest shots of the fight as he snaps Pyfer’s head back with a sharp combo. It leads to Pyfer resorting to the takedown as the pair end up clinching against the fence.
Another really nice left sparks an impressive end to the fight for Gastelum as Pyfer retreats. The buzzer sounds with the reliable, resilient veteran on top. A very impressive response after a nightmare first round for Gastelum, and we go to the judges...
Joe Pyfer def. Kelvin Gastelum via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27)
It looked like it might be a one-and-done after a dominant first round. But despite letting Gastelum back into the fight, Pyfer does enough to get the job done!
UFC 316 LIVE: Kelvin Gastelum vs Joe Pyfer
04:34 , Will CastleRound two
Early uppercut stuns Gastelum before another nice Pyfer one-two knocks him back. He manages to stay on his feet this time, but every time Pyfer connects, it feels like the fight could end there and there.
Pyfer gets called into a bit of defensive work and rises to the challenge, dodging a couple overhands from Gastelum. The Mexican then moves for the leg kicks, a level change that was probably overdue.
Gastelum is closing the gap more and tries to tee off on Pyfer, getting in there with jabs while the bigger man tries to plot one killer blow.
A better round from Kelvin, no doubt.
UFC 316 LIVE: Kelvin Gastelum vs Joe Pyfer
04:29 , Will CastleRound one
Straight away, the size difference is striking. Pyfer is an enourmous middleweight and Gastelum is, well, a former welterweight.
And it only takes one punch for Gastelum to get knocked down! The ever-resilient Mexican is able to get back up, but within the first minute, his chin takes a serious test.
Pyfer allows Gastelum to get a foothold back in the fight and lands a good left to the body. But after getting hit so heavy so early, he’s hesitant to close the distance.
With good reason too, because after a headkick catches the back of the head, Pyfer drops Gastelum with another vicious right before raining down ground and pound!
Once again, Gastelum is able to survive, but he’s hurt as the first round comes to a close.
Came out SWINGING early 😮💨
— UFC (@ufc) June 8, 2025
[ #UFC316 is LIVE now on @ESPNPlus PPV ] pic.twitter.com/sv3iEJt01g
UFC 316 LIVE: Kelvin Gastelum vs Joe Pyfer
04:21 , Will CastleNext up, Mexican favourite Kelvin Gastelum takes on hard-hitter Joe Pyfer at middleweight!
This has been hotly-anticipated for a while, but was forced to be rescheduled after the original bout for UFC Noche was cancelled.
But we’re getting it now - and with the fighters in the cage, this one gets underway imminently!
UFC 316 LIVE: Patchy Mix vs Mario Bautista
04:13 , Will CastleAfter the Jose Aldo bout, Mario Bautista barely saw his stock rise. He was effective but his style was so boring that not even the purists could really get on board.
That, however, was an absolute clinic. A performance worthy of hurting the hype of debutant Patchy Mix, who has a lot to work on if he ever wants to enter the UFC welterweight title picture.
UFC 316 LIVE: Patchy Mix vs Mario Bautista
04:09 , Will CastleRound three
Patchy finally goes for a takedown but his timing in this has been all wrong. Bautista is a strong grappler and with the added slipperiness that comes with sweat, Mix is going to really struggle to get him to the mat.
Mix’s eye, now bleeding, is also appearing a real problem as his vision becomes increasingly impaired.
The debutant clips Bautista with a hook but it’s still Bautista who is doing the greater damage, responding with a wonderful combination. Mix still looks so stiff and Bautista’s body work is making it increasingly hard from him to change levels.
Mix produces a late flurry as he searches for a Hail Mary finish, but it’s just that - too late. We go to the scorecards...
Mario Bautista def. Patchy Mix via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
A perfectly executed gameplan from Bautista, credit where it’s due. But that was a very, very underwhelming debut from Patchy Mix.
UFC 316 LIVE: Patchy Mix vs Mario Bautista
04:01 , Will CastleRound two
Bouncing Bautista is a cardio king and is looking the complete opposite of Mix, who is so heavy on his feet.
Bautista switches to southpaw and lands a nice left hand, but Patchy responds with a combo of his own just to rattle the cage of his opponent.
Mix’s corner is shouting “level change”, but he’s not adhering. He’s sticking to the kickboxing, and it nearly pays off as he connects with a beautiful headkick that gets Bautista retreating.
Bautista weathers the brief storm and responds by snapping Patchy’s head back with a straight right. The pair enter the final minute trading blows after what has been a much closer round two.
But it’s Bautista who ends on top, poking at Mix and further chipping with body shots as the buzzer goes.
The crowd boos, for some reason. This has been an relentless clinic from Bautista so far, who is this time commanding respect for his display in the cage.
UFC 316 LIVE: Patchy Mix vs Mario Bautista
03:55 , Will CastleRound one
Bautista has started on top here. Two big right hands knocks Patchy back, whose head is not moving. Body kick to a right hand and at the moment, Patchy has no response.
Patchy looks very flat-footed at the moment. Bautista is just picking him a part.
They briefly enter the clinch and Patchy connects nicely with a knee. But as the distance increases again, Bautista keeps chipping away at the body and is staying out of reach of Patchy.
Another nice kick and jab to the body makes Patchy wince. The slapper sounds and Bautista stings the debutant with a right flush on the nose to see out the opening round.
As far as first rounds in the UFC go, that wasn’t good for Patchy Mix. He looks a bit lost in there.
UFC 316 LIVE: Patchy Mix vs Mario Bautista
03:46 , Will CastleNext up, it’s the highly-anticipated debut of Patchy Mix who takes on Mario Bautista at bantamweight.
Mix is a former Bellator bantamweight champion and arrives in the UFC with an impressive record of 20-1 as well as vast hype behind him.
He takes on Bautista, whose previous outing against icon of the sport Jose Aldo, while a win, did nothing to raise his stock with the fans - as he all but hugged the Brazilian for 15 minutes straight to eke out a lacklustre decision victory.
Can Bautista produce something a little more inspiring to derail Patchy before his UFC journey has even started?
UFC 316 LIVE: Mark Kerr inducted into UFC Hall of Fame
03:41 , Will CastleMark Kerr is the final inductee of the UFC Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025!
Kerr was a pioneer of the sport and was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament winner.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who will play Kerr in this year’s release “The Smashing Machine”, will induct him into the Hall of Fame.
UFC 316 LIVE: Kevin Holland calls out 'worst guy at welterweight' Colby Covington
03:36 , Will CastleKevin Holland already has his eyes on getting back in the cage - he wants to stay at 170lbs, and he wants public enemy number one Colby Covington.
“Colby Covington, you’re the worst guy in the welterweight division and I like beating up old sorry people,” Holland said post-fight.
“Luque was a tough fight, Colby will be an easy one. Book us in the summer time, or book us in the fall.”
UFC 316 LIVE: Kevin Holland vs Vicente Luque
03:32 , Will CastleRound two
Early in the second, Holland catches a leg-kick and quickly jumps for the D’Arce choke - Luque is in real trouble here!
It’s locked in tight and while Luque does everything in his power to escape, Holland is so long that there is simply no way out other than to tap - and that’s exactly what he does!
Kevin Holland def. Vicente Luque via second-round decision (D’Arce choke, 1:03)
Holland jumps out of the cage and celebrates by getting a moment one-on-one with Trump, who is sitting cageside.
KEVIN HOLLAND BY SUBMISSION!!! 😤#UFC316 | Saturday | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/Xy6WIshAJv
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) June 8, 2025
UFC 316 LIVE: Kevin Holland vs Vicente Luque
03:28 , Will CastleRound one
We’re off! And right from the outset, Holland is sending a barrage of verbal taunts the way of Luque. We expect nothing less!
Holland goes for the body kick which is caught by Luque, but Holland is able to land a few heavy shots in the clinch to get the crowd going.
Good combination from Luque but Holland reacts with a sharp elbow off the ear that hurts the Brazilian! Luque then comes back with a strong right of his own, and still, Kevin is not relenting with the trash talk!
Luque stuns Holland again with a left hook but nothing devastating as the first comes to a close.
Pumped up, the pair slap hands after the buzzer. Business it may be, but these two are fully committed to putting on a show.
UFC 316 LIVE: Kevin Holland vs Vicente Luque
03:16 , Will CastleRight, who’s ready to get going?
We kick tonight’s main card off with the UFC’s most active fighter as Kevin Holland returns for what is already his third fight of the year, this time against Vicente Luque.
Two proven finishers who will already have their eyes on bonuses, this should be a barnburner as both jockey for positions in the welterweight rankings.
Read more on what Holland had to say on his relentless fight schedule below:
UFC’s most active fighter Kevin Holland ‘had so many fights I don’t remember’
UFC 316 LIVE: Merab’s team to warn ref about controversial O’Malley tactic
03:07 , Alex PattleDvalishvili’s coach has said the bantamweight champion’s team will warn the referee ahead of tonight’s main event, as they aim to combat a controversial tactic used by O’Malley’s trainer.
When O’Malley knocked out Aljamain Sterling to win the belt in 2023, the latter appeared to bite on a deceiving shout from “Sugar Sean”’s coach Tim Welch, who cried: “Aljo, you’ve got to go!” Sterling might have believed it was his own coach shouting, but in any case, he closed range and was knocked out by O’Malley.
Welch tried the same tactic when his fighter defended the gold against Dvalishvili in September, but he was unsuccessful in two senses; Welch was warned by referee Herb Dean, and Dvalishvili cruised to a decision win to become champion.
Ahead of tonight’s rematch, the champion’s head coach, John Wood, will make sure to speak to whichever referee is appointed.
More here:
Merab Dvalishvili’s team to warn referee over controversial Sean O’Malley tactic
UFC 316 LIVE: Time for the main card!
03:05 , Will CastleFasten your seatbelts, it’s time for the UFC 316 main card!
Tonight’s stacked card will culminate in two bantamweight title fights tonight, with the main event pitting men’s champion Merab Dvalishvili against Sean O’Malley.
Dvalishvili makes his second defence of the belt here, having dethroned O’Malley with a comprehensive decision win in September, before outpointing Umar Nurmagomedov in a stunning comeback in January.
Tonight’s rematch in New Jersey is a classic striker versus grappler match-up, with “Sugar Sean” confident he can find the knockout blow that he was unable to produce in his first clash with the Georgian grappler.
And the co-main event sees the women’s bantamweight title contested, as Julianna Pena aims to extend her second reign, taking on Olympic judo champion Kayla Harrison, who previously held gold in the PFL as well.
Also in action are former Bellator champion Patchy Mix, who makes his UFC debut here, fan favourite Kevin Holland, and former title challenger Kelvin Gastelum. Holland’s bout with Vicente Luque and Gastelum’s fight against Joe Pyfer are ones to follow.
We’ll have you covered with all the action, right here!
UFC 316 LIVE: Donald Trump is in the building...
03:01 , Will CastleUS president Donald Trump strolls into the arena ahead of tonight’s main card to (mostly) cheers, accompanied by Dana White.
Better hope Elon Musk isn’t in the crowd, given their explosive, very public divorce. Otherwise, expect a repeat of the Du Plessis-Strickland antics at UFC 296...
The full incident between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis at #UFC296 tonight.
— UFC (@ufc) December 17, 2023
Bring on #UFC297 in January! pic.twitter.com/HQt0Uj1jiv
UFC 316 LIVE: Joshua Van vs Bruno Silva
02:58 , Will CastleRound three
This is KO or bust for Silva.
Van is not rushing into anything - he’s waiting for the perfect openings to do damage, in full knowledge that he just needs to get through the round to win this.
But when he does land, Silva is still able to eat his punches. At least for now...
A vicious body shot lands from Van as a bloodied, hurting Silva retreats to the fence. One more headshot and Silva is dropped and finished!
Joshua Van def. Bruno Silva via third-round TKO (ground strikes, 4:01)
Just 23 years old, this man. Some talent - flyweight has been put on notice!
UFC 316 LIVE: Joshua Van vs Bruno Silva
02:51 , Will CastleRound two
Silva’s corner tells him to keep targeting the legs and that’s exactly what he does to start the second, but it’s Van who’s doing the damage upstairs.
Van is too quick and too precise for Silva, backing out of harm’s way before landing shots off the head of the underdog.
Then BANG! Van drops Silva again with a sharp right hook and goes for the finish, but the Brazilian once again survives! He gets back to his feet and manages to find a takedown - but Van’s defence is superior, with Silva unable to get the reprieve on the mat he so desperately needs.
Silva eats a knee but goes down again as follow-up strikes rain in, but he just about gets to the buzzer. We go to a third.
UFC 316 LIVE: Joshua Van vs Bruno Silva
02:43 , Will CastleRound one
Early knockdown for Silva as he sweeps Van off his feet with a sharp low kick. Perhaps a much-appreciated confidence booster for the heavy underdog of this fight.
Van doesn’t look fazed by this immediate trip to the mat and begins to pop off. Two nice combos gets Silva on the retreat, and it’s the third that drops him! The Brazilian wasn’t expecting the second and third punches to come in, but Van’s speed and power simply overwhelmed him in that moment.
Silva is, however, able to survive and get back to his feet - and he ends the round in decent stead, finding success with those leg kicks.
UFC 316 LIVE: Featured prelim time!
02:32 , Will CastleTime for our featured prelim of the night!
The ever-exciting Joshua Van looks to put flyweight on notice as the Myanmar native takes on Bruno Silva, who was on a four-fight tear before suffering defeat last time out to Manel Kape.
This has everything needed for fireworks.
A reminder that this is our last prelim of the night before the UFC 316 main card kicks off - so stay tuned!
UFC 316 LIVE: O’Malley accepts fans’ frustration at his title rematch
02:28 , Alex PattleSean O’Malley accepts that some UFC fans are frustrated by his title shot against Merab Dvalishvili, after he was easily dethroned by the Georgian in his last fight.
“Sugar Sean vs Merab 2 is happening, and I don’t think people are going to be too happy about it,” O’Malley said in April.
“The last time I fought the best bantamweight in the world – the best bantamweight at the time [Aljamain Sterling] – I got the job done. I’m very confident in my skills.
“Last camp we had some s*** going on. I don’t want to sit here and make excuses. We had a great camp, I showed up, I was in shape, we did what we could with what we were able to do. This camp has already been a lot different, and I’m feeling good. I’m excited to go out there and take care of business.
“Last fight camp, every single journal entry was like, ‘My groin kept me up at night,’ because I tore my labrum 10 weeks before the fight. I tore my groin labrum, and I was having serious groin pain. It was super... it wasn’t ideal.”
More here:
UFC star accepts fans’ frustration at his upcoming title shot
UFC 316 LIVE: Azamat Murzakanov vs Brendson Ribeiro
02:20 , Will CastleRound one
Ribeiro is the first to show signs of getting going as he tees off on Murzakanov with kicks.
The Brazilian is looking pretty confident, before BOOM! Murzakanov shifts the tide dramatically with a heavy left before mauling Ribeiro on the ground! It looked like he verbally tapped in the end, putting an end to the vicious ground and pound. And that’s 15-0!
Azamat Murzakanov def. Brendson Ribeiro via first-round knockout (ground strikes, 3:25)
Azamat Murzakanov got it done and remains undefeated at 15-0!! 😮💨#UFC316 | Saturday | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/B8IbVSeyFS
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) June 8, 2025
UFC 316 LIVE: Azamat Murzakanov vs Brendson Ribeiro
02:13 , Will CastleTo light heavyweight action we go and it’s Brendson Ribeiro up against the undefeated Azamat Murzakanov.
Bruce Buffer is doing his spiel - stay tuned for all the action, up next!
UFC 316 LIVE: Serghei Spivac vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta
02:03 , Will CastleRound three
Waldo changes his shorts and rips the sides to make them more like his originals. Spivac has been told not to go for takedowns because Waldo is “too slippery”. And the third is underway.
Spivac needs to get on the attack after the second and he does just that as he launches a NUCLEAR overhand towards the skull of Cortes-Acosta. He doesn’t catch all of it but he does enough to evoke what, at first, looked like a seismic wobble from Waldo - but it’s actually completely theatrical as Waldo laughs it off.
Some more big shots come in as Waldo comes under pressure. However, he is able to survive and continues to bring the fight to Spivac.
With a minute to go, Spivac picks Waldo up and dunks him down. He gets straight back up but that nevertheless might be enough to win him the round in the judges’ eyes.
A last-gasp firefight doesn’t come to a Max Holloway-esque KO and we go to the judges.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Serghei Spivac via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
UFC 316 LIVE: Serghei Spivac vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta
01:54 , Will CastleRound two
Cortes-Acosta kicks off the second on the offensive, clipping with a right hand over the top before changing levels, jabbing at the body and chopping the wood.
They then come together and let their hands go, with Spivac testing Cortes-Acosta’s chin with a sharp right - it withstands.
Waldo is chipping away at Spivac’s resolve with his low kicks, which aren’t getting checked, but nearly gets caught with a single leg. Great takedown defence showcased to stay upright.
Safe to say both fighters are slowing down, though. We’ll go to a third.
UFC 316 LIVE: Serghei Spivac vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta
01:47 , Will CastleRound one
Cortes-Acosta starts by trying to do damage with the leg kicks but quickly falls victim to a couple big connections from Spivac that has the Dominican on the retreat!
Spivac soon gets Cortes-Acosta down and up against the cage. We already established in the previous fight that the crowd isn’t going to stand for that.
Cortes-Acosta stumbles back out of nowhere - maybe he hurt himself - but returns with a big overhand that echoes off the shiny head of Spivac.
Heavy right hand from the Polar Bear leaves something extra for the judges to mull over after the first.
UFC 316 LIVE: Serghei Spivac vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta
01:41 , Will CastleHeavyweights in action next up as Serghei Spivac faces off against Waldo Cortes-Acosta.
Spivac comes into this off defeat to Jailton Almeida, with this acting as a big opportunity for Cortes-Acosta to break into the top 10.
The big boys are in the cage!
Andreas Gustafsson: 'I'm the least technical fighter in the UFC'
01:36 , Will Castle“I’m the least technical fighter in the UFC, I just love a good fight and a brawl, just like the vikings,” says Gustafsson post-fight.
Not your usual brag, but I’m a fan!
UFC 316 LIVE: Khaos Williams vs Andreas Gustafsson
01:33 , Will CastleRound three
The slapper sounds and it’s more of the same from Gustafsson. He flies in and echoes a shot off the now-bleeding Khaos before promptly getting him against the cage. Williams is just surviving at this point.
“This is a phone booth fight,” says Joe Rogan on commentary. It’s just short punches up against the fence at this point and Williams can only try to defend, his spirit being broken.
Khaos eventually gets away from the cage but he rolls into a worse position with Gustafsson on top, raining down punches as he looks to take the judges out of the equation.
The fight concludes with Gustafsson on Khaos’ back, mauling him to the final buzzer. It goes the distance, but this won’t be a tough decision for the judges to make...
Andreas Gustafsson def. Khaos Williams via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
What a debut!
UFC 316 LIVE: Khaos Williams vs Andreas Gustafsson
01:25 , Will CastleRound two
The second gets underway and, already, Khaos is looking fatigued. Gustafsson is landing big shots and hurts him with a jab to one-two combo.
Another right pings off the chin of Williams before he finally gets taken down. From there, the American is getting mauled. He’s taken to the mat two more times before getting blasted with lefts up against the cage.
Khaos’ corner said he needed to win this round after the first. He’s just been roundly dominated.
UFC 316 LIVE: Khaos Williams vs Andreas Gustafsson
01:20 , Will CastleRound one
Gustafsson comes flying out of the gate, making a beeline for Williams as the pair quickly trade blows, before the Swede gets Williams up against the cage.
After a chaotic start, they remain in the clinch for about 90 seconds with Williams doing well to neutralise Gustafsson’s attempts at a takedown with the underhooks. The crowd start to boo and they eventually get separated.
With airspace between the two, Gustafsson starts swinging again. He’s very reckless but he lands with a heavy left before returning to the clinch - boring for the fans, but no doubt a gruelling way to fight.
The first round ends against the cage.
UFC 316 LIVE: Khaos Williams vs Andreas Gustafsson
01:13 , Will CastleOur first prelim proper of the night is on the way as Khaos Williams and Andreas Gustafsson make their ringwalks.
DWCS alumnus Gustafsson was the third opponent penned in to face Williams tonight, with bouts against Albert Tadevosyan and Uros Medic both cancelled.
UFC 316 LIVE: Early contender for Performance of the Night!
01:08 , Will CastleIt took just 28 seconds for Yoo Joo-sang to SLEEP Jeka Saragih in the early prelims, caught with a vicious left hook. Way to stamp your mark!
MY GOODNESSS!!! 🤯
— UFC_Asia (@UFC_Asia) June 7, 2025
Joo Sang Yoo wasted no time in making his presence felt! #UFC316 pic.twitter.com/mYbVhffUU4
UFC 316 LIVE: Early prelim results
01:06 , Will CastleWe are underway in New Jersey! Here’s a quick recap of the results from the early prelims:
Wang Cong def. Ariane da Silva via unanimous decsion (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Yoo Joo-sang def. Jeka Saragih via first-round knockout (left hook, 0:28)
Quillan Salkilld def. Yanal Ashmouz via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
MarQuel Mederos def. Mark Choinski via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
UFC 316 live: Fight card in full – prelims and main card
Saturday 7 June 2025 23:14 , Alex PattleMain card
Merab Dvalishvili (C) vs Sean O’Malley 2 (men’s bantamweight title)
Julianna Pena (C) vs Kayla Harrison (women’s bantamweight title)
Kelvin Gastelum vs Joe Pyfer (middleweight)
Mario Bautista vs Patchy Mix (bantamweight)
Vicente Luque vs Kevin Holland (welterweight)
Prelims
Bruno Silva vs Joshua Van (flyweight)
Azamat Murzakanov vs Brendson Ribeiro (light-heavyweight)
Serghei Spivac vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta (heavyweight)
Khaos Williams vs Andreas Gustafsson (welterweight)
Early prelims
Ariane da Silva vs Wang Cong (women’s flyweight)
Jeka Saragih vs Joosang Yoo (featherweight)
Quillan Salkilld vs Yanal Ashmouz (lightweight)
Marquel Mederos vs Mark Choinski (lightweight)
