UFC 316: Fight Analysis and Highlighted Results

UFC 316: Full Card Analysis

UFC’s return to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, crowned a new queen and solidified the bantamweight king as the best 135-pound fighter of all time. However, UFC 316 was not without criticism, as many fights focused on dominant displays and performances, leaving aside the excitement that fans expect. We analyze each fight, evaluating the quality, competitiveness, and what was at stake. Below, the breakdown of the 13 fights on the card.

Men’s Bantamweight Championship

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley

Result: Dvalishvili defeats O’Malley by submission in the third round.

Rating: B+

Dvalishvili delivered another suffocating and relentless performance, submitting O’Malley. His endurance and constantly evolving offensive skills are impressive. O’Malley, confident at first, couldn’t withstand Dvalishvili’s pressure, who finished the fight with a neck crank in the third round. The question now is whether we are witnessing the best bantamweight in UFC history.

Women’s Bantamweight Championship

Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison

Result: Harrison defeats Peña by submission in the second round.

Rating: B

Harrison dominated the fight, imposing her will from the start. Peña couldn’t handle the pressure. Harrison, after an illegal upkick, continued her offense in the second round, finishing with a Kimura in the final seconds. This performance raises questions about a possible fight with Amanda Nunes.

Middleweight

Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer

Result: Pyfer defeats Gastelum by unanimous decision.Rating: D+ Pyfer, after taking down Gastelum, focused on seeking a knockout, turning the fight into an unexciting encounter. Pyfer regretted not having achieved the knockout, so this fight is not recommended for fans.

Men’s Bantamweight

Mario Bautista vs. Patchy Mix

Result: Bautista defeats Mix by unanimous decision.

Rating: C

Although it wasn’t a bad fight, Mix’s performance didn’t meet expectations. The renowned grappler didn’t take the fight to the ground, opting to trade blows with Bautista, which facilitated Bautista’s victory.

Welterweight

Vicente Luque vs. Kevin Holland

Result: Holland defeats Luque by submission in the second round.

Rating: B

Holland delivered one of his best performances, surprising Luque with an anaconda choke. He proved to be a dangerous competitor.

Men’s Flyweight

Bruno Silva vs. Joshua Van

Result: Van defeats Silva by TKO in the third round.

Rating: B

Van delivered an excellent performance, outperforming Silva with precise strikes and patience. This victory could make Van a title contender.

Joshua Van, left, won his fourth consecutive fight at UFC 316 against Bruno Silva.

Light Heavyweight

Azamat Murzakanov vs. Brendson RibeiroResult: Murzakanov defeats Ribeiro by TKO in the first round.

Rating: B-

Murzakanov, with his eleventh knockout, proved to be a title contender. Ribeiro was quickly outmatched.

Heavyweight

Serghei Spivac vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Result: Cortes-Acosta defeats Spivac by unanimous decision.

Rating: D

A not very exciting fight that didn’t add anything to the heavyweight division. The fight highlighted the distance between Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall and the rest of the division.

Welterweight

Khaos Williams vs. Andreas Gustafsson

Result: Gustafsson defeats Williams by unanimous decision.

Rating: D+

Gustafsson dominated the fight, but the excessive grappling detracted from the excitement of the match.

Andreas Gustafsson, right, was relentless in his victory over Khaos Williams, but it wasn’t fun to watch.

Women’s Flyweight

Ariane da Silva vs. Wang CongResult: Wang defeats Da Silva by unanimous decision.

Rating: C

Wang, despite Da Silva’s size advantage, dominated the fight. His striking was outstanding.

Peso Pluma

Jeka Saragih vs. JooSang Yoo

Result: Yoo defeats Saragih by KO in the first round.

Rating: A

Yoo achieved a spectacular knockout, comparable to those of Conor McGregor, with a left punch that ended the fight. A work of art.

Lightweight

Quillan Salkilld vs. Yanal Ashmouz

Result: Salkilld defeats Ashmouz by unanimous decision.

Rating: C

Salkilld dominated for two rounds, but Ashmouz reacted in the third, although Salkilld managed to secure the victory.

Lightweight

MarQuel Mederos vs. Mark Choinski

Result: Mederos defeats Choinski by unanimous decision.Rating: C- Mederos dominated with calf kicks, although the fight was not particularly exciting.Overall Grade for UFC 316 Fight Card: C The fight card was saved by the performances of Dvalishvili, Harrison, Yoo, and Van, as the competition overall was poor. The main events highlighted two rising stars with dominant performances. Van showed potential to be a flyweight champion, and Yoo delivered a knockout that will likely be remembered.