Merab Dvalishvili set for rematch title fight with Sean O'Malley in UFC 316 headliner in New Jersey

04/01/2025 07:10 PM

Undisputed bantamweight champion, Merab Dvalishvili is set to take main event honors at UFC 316 in June, taking on former champion and prior foe, Sean O’Malley in a headlining rematch from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Dvalishvili, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, headlined Noche UFC back in September of last year against Montana striker, O’Malley — earning the divisional championship with a one-sided unanimous decision win.

And at the beginning of this year, Georgian star, Dvalishvili co-headlined UFC 311, landing another dominant unanimous judging win over the unbeaten, Umar Nurmagomedov — handing the Russian his first professional loss in a shutout win in California.

Merab Dvalishvili meets Sean O’Malley in UFC 316 headliner rematch

For O’Malley, the Contender Series product has yet to return since dropping his championship to Tbilisi wrestling ace, Dvalishvili in September of last year.

News of the UFC 316 featuring Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley was confirmed by UFC CEO, Dana White tonight on social media.

In the midst of a stunning unbeaten run spanning 12 straight fights, Dvalishvili brought the reign of O’Malley to an end last year, in the latter’s second title defense.

Winning the crown with a knockout of Aljamain Sterling — a training partner of Dvalishvili the year prior, Montana striker, O’Malley would then avenge his first professional loss with a decision win over Ecuadorian challenger, Marlon Vera.

As well as the bantamweight title rematch, the women’s bantamweight crown is also on the line at UFC 316, in a massive co-main event clash.

Booked to return, two-time and current queen, Julianna Pena begins her second reign against the surging promotional-perfect contender, Kayla Harrison over the course of five rounds in ‘The Garden State’.