Merab Dvalishvili Submits Sean O’Malley in Dominant UFC 316 Main Event

In the main event of UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2, held tonight at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Merab Dvalishvili retained his bantamweight title with a textbook guillotine (north-south) choke in the third round against Sean “Suga” O’Malley.

🔥 Fight Recap

Dvalishvili came out with his signature relentless pace and wrestling pressure, hunting takedowns from the opening bell. While O’Malley demonstrated improved takedown defense early on, it wasn’t enough to stem the tide.

Midway through the third round, Merab finally forced O’Malley to the mat. From there, he transitioned to a north‑south choke, securing the submission at 4:42 of Round 3. It marked Dvalishvili’s first-career submission by choke and his second submission victory overall.

🏆 Significance & Records

  • Title Defense: This was his third successful defense, cementing his dominance since first winning the belt at UFC 306.

  • Win Streak: Extends his undefeated run to 13 straight wins, placing him among UFC greats like Jon Jones and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

  • Performance Bonus: Earned Performance of the Night, adding to a new wave of elite-level accolades.

  • Grappling Prowess: Joe Rogan called the performance “freakish,” hailing Dvalishvili as possibly the greatest bantamweight ever.

🧭 What Comes Next?

  • Potential Next Opponent: Dvalishvili is eyeing a showdown with No. 4 contender Cory Sandhagen next, calling him the most deserving challenger.

  • O’Malley’s Future: “Suga” appeared discouraged post-fight, hinting at a hiatus, though he was clear he’s not retiring. Analysts suggest he may need a lower-pressure fight to regain momentum.

📌 Final Recap

FeatureResultMethod of VictoryThird-round guillotine (north-south) chokeFinish Time4:42 of Round 3Title StatusRetained Bantamweight ChampionshipWin Streak13 consecutive victoriesBonus AwardPerformance of the NightHistorical AchievementJoins elite streakers like Jones & Khabib

Conclusion: Merab Dvalishvili delivered yet another high-octane performance, turning his endless pressure and elite grappling into a slick submission finish. With a dominant win and heavy accolades, he stands tall as arguably the top bantamweight in UFC history. Meanwhile, O’Malley faces an uncertain but not finished road ahead—his next move pivotal to regaining elite contender status.

Let me know if you’d like this paired with Harrison vs. Peña as a joint recap, or formatted for publishing on a website or social platform.