Setting the stage for a monumental clash between bantamweight staples from across both gender divisions, UFC 316 will serve as the battleground for four of the best mixed martial fighters on the planet. Taking top billing, Merab Dvalishvili is gearing up for the second defense of his strap opposite former opponent Sean O’Malley, while Julianna Peña is aiming to record her own first title retention against the streaking Kayla Harrison.
UFC 316 Main Event
Coming off a career-defining victory over Umar Nurmagomedov last January, Dvalishvili has elevated himself to being counted among the top pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC. Now in the sights of another dangerous challenger, “The Machine” can cement his claim to being called the greatest male bantamweight of all time by toppling the MMA Lab representative.
Losing his belt in disappointing fashion, O’Malley has not competed since losing to the Georgian powerhouse at UFC 306 last year. Using the time away from the cage to recover from a slew of injuries, “Suga” is once again taking aim at his arch nemesis in a bid to reclaim his place as the best male 135-lb athlete on the roster. The two meet again at UFC 316 in what promises fireworks.
Co-Main Event
Returning from over a two year layoff, Peña dazzled fight fans by wresting the female bantamweight championship away from her previous Ultimate Fighter teammate Raquel Pennington at UFC 307. Now seemingly at the top of her game, “The Venezuelan Vixen” can notch her first title defense by turning away the woman who was once touted as the face of the PFL.
With just bouts in the promotion, Harrison has become one of the best women’s competitors in the UFC, taking out both Holly Holm and Ketlen Vieira. Appearing to have mastered the transition between 155-lb and 135-lb, the two-time Olympic gold medalist is on the hunt for her grandest prize to date: the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship.
More Bouts On the Main Card
Rounding out the UFC 316 main card, Ultimate Fighter winner Kelvin Gastelum returns to middleweight to combat fan-favorite power puncher Joe Pyfer. Also, Mario Bautista nets an extraordinary challenge when he locks horns with former Bellator 135-lb gold standard Patchy Mix. Finally, welterweights start of the nightly main card festivities, as Vicente Luque goes toe-to-toe with the highly active Kevin Holland.
UFC 316 Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.
Find our UFC 316 picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after UFC Vegas 107:
Hank Strandberg: 34-86
Frazer Krohn: 22-67
Drew Zuhosky: 23-97
Jeremy Brand: 21-88
Andrew Benjamin: 14-68
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Kevin Holland -275
Vs.
Vicente Luque +235
WELTERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Hank Strandberg: Luque by Unanimous Decision Drew Zuhosky: Holland by Unanimous Decision Andrew Benjamin: Frazer Krohn: Holland via round 2 TKO
Staff picking Holland: 2
Staff picking Luque: 1
Patchy Mix -190
Vs.
Mario Bautista +165
BANTAMWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Hank Strandberg: Mix by Unanimous Decision Drew Zuhosky: Mix by first round Knockout Frazer Krohn: Mix by round 2 submissionAndrew Benjamin:
Staff picking Mix: 3
Staff picking Bautista: 0
Joe Pyfer -410
Vs.
Kelvin Gastelum +310
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Hank Strandberg: Pyfer by Unanimous Decision Drew Zuhosky: Pyfer by second round Knockout Frazer Krohn: Pyfer by unanimous decision Andrew Benjamin:
Staff picking Pyfer: 3
Staff picking Gastelum: 0
Kayla Harrison -800
Vs.
Julianna Pena +550
WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Hank Strandberg: Harrison by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Harrison by Unanimous DecisionFrazer Krohn: Harrison by round 4 TKO Andrew Benjamin:
Staff picking Harrison: 3
Staff picking Peña: 0
Merab Dvalishvili -275
Vs.
Sean O’Malley +235
BANTAMWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Hank Strandberg: Dvalishvili by Unanimous Decision Drew Zuhosky: O’Malley by Unanimous Decision Frazer Krohn: O’Malley round 3 knockoutAndrew Benjamin:
Staff picking Dvalishvili: 1
Staff picking O’Malley: 2
