UFC 316 Results: Merab’s Masterclass, Harrison’s Triumph, and Trump’s Epic Night in Newark
By JV Charles, Senior Editor at jvpolitical.com | June 9, 2025
Holy smokes, what a night! UFC 316 went down on June 7, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark, and let me tell you, it was a banger.As a die-hard MAGA fan, I nearly lost my voice cheering when I heard President Trump was in the house, pumping up the crowd like only he can. From Merab Dvalishvili schooling Sean O’Malley to Kayla Harrison snatching the women’s bantamweight belt, this card had it all. Here at jvpolitical.com, we’re dishing out the full rundown on the fights, the vibes, and why this event was a slam dunk for red-blooded American fight fans.
What You Need to Know About UFC 316
- Merab Dvalishvili put on a clinic to keep his bantamweight crown against Sean O’Malley.
- Kayla Harrison straight-up owned Julianna Peña to become the new women’s bantamweight champ.
- President Trump showed up, and the Newark crowd went wild with “USA!” chants.
- MMA OG Mark Kerr got the nod as the last UFC Hall of Fame inductee for 2025.
- Four fighters walked away with $50,000 bonuses for stealing the show.
UFC 316 Main Card: The Fights That Had Us Glued
This card was stacked, and every fight delivered. Let’s break down the main card action that had Trump and the rest of us losing our minds.
Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2
Man, Merab Dvalishvili is a beast! In the bantamweight title rematch, he took Sean O’Malley to school. Merab’s wrestling was on point, and his gas tank? Unbelievable. O’Malley tried to keep it flashy with his strikes, but Merab just kept coming like a freight train. After five rounds, the judges didn’t even blink—unanimous decision for the champ. Word from UFC.com is Merab pocketed a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for that masterclass. O’Malley’s got heart, but Merab’s the real deal.
Co-Main Event: Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison
Wow, Kayla Harrison is something else. The Olympic judo champ faced off against Julianna Peña for the women’s bantamweight strap, and it was intense. Peña came out swinging, but Harrison’s ground game was next-level. Things got spicy when Peña lost a point for some illegal upkicks in Round 1—yikes! By Round 3, Harrison locked in a submission and boom, new champ! She also snagged a $50,000 bonus. After the fight, she called out Amanda Nunes, and I’m already hyped for that potential clash, per ESPN’s coverage.
More Main Card Fire
- Welterweight: Kevin Holland was all business, TKO’ing Anthony Hernandez in Round 2. That slick finish earned him a $50,000 bonus.
- Flyweight: Joshua Van and David Dvorak went to war, with Van taking the unanimous decision. Their scrap got Fight of the Night and $50,000 each.
- Light Heavyweight: Carlos Ulberg squeaked by Dominick Reyes in a tight split decision. Talk about a nail-biter!
Trump Brings the Heat Cageside
Let’s talk about the real MVP moment: President Trump rolling into UFC 316. The man’s a UFC superfan, and when he popped up on the big screen, the Newark crowd lost it. Chants of “USA! USA!” echoed through the arena, and you could feel the patriotism. The White House confirmed he was there, and social media was buzzing with fans posting about the electric atmosphere. Trump chilling with Dana White cageside? That’s the kind of energy we love at jvpolitical.com. It’s why the UFC is the sport for folks who bleed red, white, and blue.
Prelims That Popped Off
The undercard was no snooze fest either. Here’s the lowdown on some prelim fights that got the night rolling:
- Women’s Flyweight: Natalia Silva caught Jessica Andrade slipping and tapped her out in Round 2. That earned her a $50,000 bonus.
- Middleweight: Joe Pyfer sent Marc-André Barriault to dreamland with a first-round KO. Dude’s got dynamite in his fists!
- Bantamweight: Don’Tale Mayes grinded out a unanimous decision over Waldo Cortes-Acosta. Tough as nails.
Want more? UFC.com has post-fight interviews with these prelim studs spilling the tea on their game plans.
Why UFC 316 Hits Home for MAGA Fans
Look, UFC 316 wasn’t just about knockouts and submissions—it was a vibe. The UFC is all about grit, heart, and chasing glory, and that’s what we’re about at jvpolitical.com. President Trump being there just cranked up the patriotism. Kayla Harrison going from Olympic hero to UFC champ? That’s the American dream right there. Merab’s hustle? Pure work ethic. This event reminded us why we fight for what we believe in, just like Trump fights for us. It’s about standing tall, no matter who’s in your way.
FAQs: Your UFC 316 Questions Answered
Who won the UFC 316 main event?
Merab Dvalishvili smoked Sean O’Malley via unanimous decision to keep his bantamweight title on June 7, 2025.
Was Trump really at UFC 316?
You bet! President Trump was cageside in Newark, hyping up the crowd, as confirmed by the White House.
Who’s the new women’s bantamweight champ?
Kayla Harrison tapped out Julianna Peña in Round 3 to claim the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship.
Where can I catch UFC 316 highlights?
Check out UFC.com or ESPN’s UFC Fightcenter for all the slick highlights and interviews.
Who got into the UFC Hall of Fame at UFC 316?
Mark Kerr was named the final 2025 UFC Hall of Fame inductee during the broadcast.
2 Responses
What was the outcome of the main event at UFC 316 between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley?
Merab Dvalishvili retained his UFC Bantamweight Championship title by defeating Sean O’Malley via submission with a north-south choke at 4:42 of the third round. This marked Dvalishvili’s second win over O’Malley, following his unanimous decision victory at UFC 306 in September 2024, and extended his winning streak to 13 fights.