Merab Dvalishvili didn’t just beat Sean O’Malley again, he finished it faster than the first time.
“The Machine” recorded his second straight bantamweight title defense and his second win over O’Malley in the main event of UFC 316 on Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. In many ways, this bout was more competitive than their first meeting at UFC 306, which saw the fighters go the distance and Dvalishvili win a unanimous decision.
This time, O’Malley displayed markedly improved takedown defense, but that only spurred Dvalishvili to further greatness as he still managed to put O’Malley on his back multiple times while attacking with ground-and-pound and submissions.
Dvalishvili definitively broke through O’Malley’s defenses in Round 3 to secure a choke and a tap, improving to 2-0 in their rivalry.
On social media, many fighters reacted by praising Dvalishvili as the best ever to compete at 135 pounds, while others wondered why this rematch was happening in the first place.
Check out fighter reactions below.
Serious question looking for an honest answers, why was O’Malley given a rematch? #UFC316
— Zac Pauga (@ZacPauga) June 8, 2025
@MerabDvalishvil Bantamweight #UFC316
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) June 8, 2025
Great win Merab! Honestly this wasn’t a fight, but straight bullying #ufc316
— Manel Kape (@ManelKape) June 8, 2025
Congrats Merab! That’s a wrap! Good nights guys!
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) June 8, 2025
Merab is amazing #UFC316
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) June 8, 2025
I do want to see Cory fight for the title next but man at the same time I need to see that O’Malley vs sandhagen
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) June 8, 2025
#AndStill #UFC316 pic.twitter.com/fPtBxE8poW
— danawhite (@danawhite) June 8, 2025
Congrats @MerabDvalishvil Amazing! Such a fan #ufc316 @ufc https://t.co/tUbdOkUhKs
— Alex Chambers (@alexchambersmma) June 8, 2025
Unreal performance from @MerabDvalishvil best ever at 135 on a generational run
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) June 8, 2025
Merab really is a machine!!
#UFC316— Ode’ ⭕️sbourne (@OdeOsbourne) June 8, 2025
@MerabDvalishvil just give an master class as always, you can say wherever you want , but he is the goat ! Very exiting to watch , proud of you brother #UFC316
— Johnny Walker (@JohnnyWalker) June 8, 2025
Merab is the Goat now #UFC316
— Terrion Flash Ware (@flashmma) June 8, 2025
LETS FUCKING GOOOOO!!! And stil!! #UFC316
— Vince Morales (@vandetta135) June 8, 2025
Merab looked better than ever! Boxing and submission. #UFC316
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) June 8, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili is an animal!!! #UFC316
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) June 8, 2025
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