UFC 316 LIVE: Merab Dvalishvili submits Sean O’Malley after Kayla Harrison crowned champion
Dvalishvili dominated to force an O’Malley tap in the third round of their high-stakes rematch
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 names next challenger
Merab 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
Who can stop this man?
UFC 316 LIVE: Merab Dvalishvili vs Sean O'Malley 2
Round 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
Round 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
Round 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
Five 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
Fans 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
O’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.”
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