Champions Shine Under Newark Lights
UFC 316 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, was teeming with anticipation even before the first punch landed. All eyes were on the main and co-main events, with two belts up for grabs—and neither champion was ready to give theirs away.
For the fans clamoring to see if Merab Dvalishvili could assert dominance over the ever-popular Sean O’Malley once more, they got their answer loud and clear. From the opening round, Dvalishvili’s relentless pace and wrestling acumen set the tone. O’Malley squeezed in a few highlight moments of his own, but judges saw it almost unanimously for the champion: 30-27 on two cards and 29-28 on the third. Dvalishvili’s reign as bantamweight kingpin remains as firm as ever, with his ironclad defense and stamina shining through over five rounds.
Just before that, women’s bantamweight champ Julianna Pena locked horns with the formidable Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist making her run for UFC gold. Pena relied on her battle-tested grit and technical striking, withstanding clinch pressure and using calculated counters. Harrison’s strength in the grappling exchanges was clear, but it wasn’t enough to sway the judges. Pena’s proven staying power in tight moments meant she walked away with her belt, even if the decision didn’t come easy.
Explosive Debuts and Knockout Highlights
Even before the main card started, Newark fans were buzzing from the preliminary bouts. Randy Brown turned in what could easily be a "KO of the Year" candidate with a ferocious, pinpoint strike. The venue roared as his opponent crumpled to the canvas—a moment that will surely make every highlight reel for months.
But Brown wasn’t the only fighter making headlines. Timmy Cuamba, stepping into the octagon for his UFC debut, electrified the arena with a thunderous knockout that announced his arrival in brutal style. For a first-timer on the big stage, Cuamba looked anything but nervous. His knockout power and composure suggest he’s a name fight fans will be saying a lot more in the coming year.
The heavyweight battle between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Serghei Spivac gave pure fight fans a lesson in endurance and tactical adaptation. Cortes-Acosta managed to outwork Spivac across three rounds, earning 30–27 and 29–28 scores in his favor and further cementing his position as a rising force in the heavyweight scene.
On the main card, Azamat Murzakanov continued his quiet march towards the top, improving to a spotless 15–0 record. His calculated approach and ability to impose his will keep making waves in the light heavyweight division. Meanwhile, Quillan Salkilld showed that his Contender Series hype is for real, picking up his second straight UFC win with another clear-cut decision victory.
Flyweights Bruno Silva and Joshua Van battled through three fiercely competitive rounds. Silva managed to edge out Van, keeping his name in the hat for future contender matchups as the division heats up.
Among debuts on the undercard, Malcolm Wellmaker raised eyebrows by submitting Cameron Saaiman, signaling he’s not here just to fill out the roster but to shake things up. Ariane da Silva also announced herself with a gritty win against Wang Cong in the women’s flyweight division, giving fresh blood to a roster hungry for new stars.
While official post-fight bonuses hadn’t been confirmed, it’s tough to see Brown’s KO, Cuamba’s debut bomb, and Wellmaker’s slick submission getting overlooked when it comes to rewarding highlight moments. UFC 316 was one of those cards that didn’t just deliver on paper—it left fans buzzing with the blend of established champions holding strong and new contenders bursting onto the scene.
Diego Vargas
Dvalishvili kept the pace up the whole fight and his wrestling really dictated the action. O'Malley's flashes were impressive but not enough to swing the judges.
Alex Lee
That KO was overrated.
Vida Yamini
Watching the undercard gave a real taste of the depth in the division. Randy Brown showed power that can change a card in a blink. Timmy Cuamba's debut was a statement that his name will be on the radar soon. The way Cuamba landed that punch reminded me of classic knockout artists. Each of those moments builds confidence in the roster. It also shows how fighters are ready to step up when given the chance. The heavyweight clash between Cortes-Acosta and Spivac was a lesson in endurance and strategy. Cortes staying active earned him the win and a higher spot. Meanwhile, Azamat Murzakanov keeps his perfect record and looks like a future contender. The light heavyweight division will notice his progress. Quillan Salkilld proving his Contender Series hype with another decision win adds depth. The flyweights battled hard and those close fights keep the weight class exciting. Malcolm Wellmaker's submission of Saaiman shows grappling talent is still alive. Ariane da Silva's gritty performance adds fresh blood to the women's flyweight. Overall the card delivered a mix of power and skill that fans will talk about for weeks.
James Lawyer
The decision scores reflect the judges' emphasis on control and volume, particularly in the championship bouts. Dvalishvili's ability to maintain a high pace across five rounds aligns with his previous performances. Peña's resilience against a seasoned judoka underscores her championship pedigree. The undercard highlights suggest a promising pipeline for future title challengers.
Abby Culbertson
I feel that hype was unnecessary.
Awolumate Muhammed Abayomi
Big shoutout to the newcomers, they gave us reasons to get pumped for the next season!
Josh Tate
Seeing fresh faces like Cuamba and Wellmaker justifies the hype, their performances were solid and showed heart.
John Smith
Sure, the cards were good but the hype machine never sleeps.
Alex Soete
This event proved the UFC still knows how to build excitement – power punches, slick submissions, and tight decisions keep fans on edge.
Cara McKinzie
Honestly the excitement felt forced, like they were trying too hard to fill a hype void.
Joseph Conlon
While many celebrate the champions' victories, it's worth noting that dominance in the octagon often masks deeper strategic flaws. Dvalishvili's relentless pressure can tire an opponent but also leaves openings for counters if the opponent survives the early rounds. O'Malley's striking, though flashy, sometimes lacks the defensive fundamentals needed for sustained success. Peña's recent win, while impressive, came against a debutant who hasn't faced top-tier competition yet. The same can be said for the undercard stars whose early knockouts may not translate against seasoned veterans. Heavyweight battles like Cortes-Acosta versus Spivac expose stamina issues that become evident in later rounds. Even Azamat Murzakanov's perfect record could be a product of carefully selected matchups rather than pure superiority. Quillan Salkilld's decision wins rely heavily on judges' interpretations of activity, which can be subjective. Flyweight contests often hinge on split-second timing that seasoned fighters can exploit with experience. Malcolm Wellmaker's submission showcase is technically sound but may be challenged by higher-ranked grapplers. Ariane da Silva's gritty win adds depth but does not guarantee future title contention. In sum, the event's highlights should be viewed with a measured perspective rather than uncritical admiration.
Mohit Singh
But those flaws are exactly what make the fights thrilling.
Damian Liszkiewicz
Great night for the sport 😊 the mix of veterans and newcomers keeps the future bright 🌟