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: Main event time!
Ladies 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!
Kayla 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'
“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
Julianna Pena knew she could not survive the final seconds of that round without her arm snapping. A ruthless submission by Kayla Harrison.
UFC 316 LIVE: Julianna Pena vs Kayla Harrison
Round 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
Round 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?
Kayla Harrison is the -675 favourite for tonight’s co-main event. Bantamweight queen Julianna Pena has a serious challenge on her hands...
UFC 316 LIVE: Co-main event is upon us!
Time 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
Joe 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
Round 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!
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