UFC 316: Dvalishvili and Harrison Shine, New Challenges on the Horizon
UFC 316 set the stage for exciting championship fights in the future. Merab Dvalishvili retained the men’s bantamweight title by defeating Sean O’Malley, while Kayla Harrison was crowned women’s bantamweight champion after defeating Julianna Peña in Newark, New Jersey.Both Dvalishvili and Harrison secured their victories by submission, demonstrating their versatility and dominance in the octagon. The next opponents for both champions seem to be defined, with Cory Sandhagen as a possible opponent for Dvalishvili and Amanda Nunes, considered the GOAT (the greatest of all time) in women’s MMA, facing Harrison.
Dvalishvili: The Best Bantamweight in History?
The question of whether Dvalishvili is the best bantamweight in history could cease to be a debate. Despite the impressive competition in the division, Dvalishvili’s dominance since his arrival in the UFC is notable.
With a streak of 13 consecutive victories, Dvalishvili is approaching the record of Islam Makhachev, who leads with 15. Furthermore, he has established a record of 97 successful takedowns in 15 fights, demonstrating his ability to control the fight on the ground. Most impressively, no judge has scored a fight in favor of his opponents.Dvalishvili has defeated renowned figures such as José Aldo, Sean O’Malley (twice), Henry Cejudo, Petr Yan, and Umar Nurmagomedov, solidifying his position at the top of the division. His performance against O’Malley reaffirmed his status, showing constant improvement in his striking, exceptional cardio, and relentless pressure. Sandhagen, his next rival, will present challenges, but Dvalishvili has proven to be a formidable competitor.
The submission over O’Malley was Dvalishvili’s first in the UFC and only the second in his MMA career. With this new facet in his arsenal, the gap between Dvalishvili and the rest of the division could widen even further.
Harrison: Favorite Against Nunes?
Kayla Harrison, after her impressive victory over Julianna Peña, is emerging as the favorite against Amanda Nunes. Harrison demonstrated her ability to adapt to the 135-pound weight and overcome the challenges this entailed.
Knowing Nunes from their time as training partners, Harrison might have an advantage, minimizing the “aura” factor that could affect other competitors. Although Nunes is an MMA legend, age and the brief retirement could influence her performance.
Harrison’s victory over Peña suggests that she might be at her peak. If Nunes isn’t at her best, Harrison could emerge victorious.
Mix and the “Octagon Nerves”
Patchy Mix’s disappointing performance in his UFC debut against Mario Bautista, where he favored striking, sparked debate. Mix, known for his exceptional grappling, failed to prove his worth, opting for a stand-up fight for 15 minutes.
The term “octagon jitters”, used by Dana White to describe the anxiety felt by fighters in their debut, seems to fit Mix’s performance. Slow and hesitant, Mix did not approach the expected level, similar to what was seen in Patricio Pitbull’s debut.
Mix will have opportunities to prove himself in the UFC, but his performance suggests that octagon jitters could be real.
Kayla Harrison, on the right, defeated Julianna Peña by submission in the second round to win the women’s bantamweight title at UFC 316.
