UFC 316 will host two big title fights at 135 pounds. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
(Jeff Bottari via Getty Images)
UFC 316 is set to feature two major title fights on June 7 as the promotion makes its way back to Newark, New Jersey.
The UFC recently announced that current bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili will headline the event in a rematch against Sean O’Malley at the Prudential Center. Additionally, the women’s bantamweight title will be up for grabs with Julianna Peña defending her title against Kayla Harrison in the co-main event.
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Dvalishvili and O’Malley previously faced off at UFC 306 in September 2024, with Dvalishvili emerging victorious and capturing the 135-pound belt. Since then, Dvalishvili has secured another unanimous decision win over Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January. On the other hand, O’Malley will be returning to the octagon for the first time since losing to Dvalishvili in September.
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Peña and Harrison have also been out of action since their wins at UFC 307 in October 2024. Peña reclaimed the women’s 135-pound title with a split-decision victory over Raquel Pennington, while Harrison notched her second straight UFC win by defeating Ketlen Vieira.
Kayla Harrison gets her first shot at a UFC title after going 2-0 in the promotion. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
(USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect / Reuters)
Aside from the headline fights, the UFC also announced a change to the UFC Kansas City lineup, with Ian Machado Garry set to face Carlos Prates in a welterweight clash.
Prates was originally scheduled to fight Geoff Neal at UFC 314 but Neal’s injury led to the matchup change. Prates aims to extend his winning streak, while Garry looks to bounce back after his first career loss.
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The current fight lineup for UFC 316 includes:
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Bantamweight championship: (C) Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley
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Women’s bantamweight championship: (C) Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison
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Bantamweight: Marlon Vera vs. Mario Bautista
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Flyweight: Bruno Gustavo da Silva vs. Joshua Van