UFC 316 – Matchmaking The Exciting Main Card

The most recent UFC PPV is now one for the books because the UFC rolled into New Jersey for UFC 316 this previous weekend. We heard ‘and new’ together with ‘and nonetheless’ within the two headlining fights, with Kayla Harrison and Merab Dvalishvili reigning supreme.

Elsewhere, Joe Pyfer, Mario Bautista and Kevin Holland all got here away with massive wins on the UFC 316 important card. We play matchmaker for all of the winners and losers on the UFC 316 important card.

UFC 316 – Matchmaking the Essential Card

Merab Dvalishvili vs Cory Sandhagen

The Machine closed out UFC 316 in model to increase his profitable run to 13 straight, submitting Sean O’Malley within the third spherical of their rematch. He not solely closed the door on that rivalry, however he additionally put himself in query because the bantamweight GOAT.

His subsequent combat writes itself. Cory Sandhagen is 4-1 in his final 5, solely dropping to Umar Nurmagomedov in a title eliminator. He’s obtained a method that Merab hasn’t seen earlier than and can ask the champ questions. Guide it for later within the yr.

Sean O’Malley vs Umar Nurmagomedov

0-2 in opposition to Dvalishvili. 0-1 in opposition to Dvalishvili. It is sensible, proper? O’Malley must rebuild after struggling two losses, the second extra devastating than the primary. He wants to enhance if he’s to return to the title image any time quickly. Nurmagomedov additionally must bounce again from a loss to the champ. What higher means to try this than to face the previous champion and the person who has simply competed for the belt? This may very well be enjoyable, nevertheless, Dana White is more likely to look additional down the division for Suga subsequent.

Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes

Want we are saying extra? Kayla Harrison dominated Julianna Pena to a third-round submission at UFC 316, placing her within the dialog for the best feminine fight sports activities athlete of all time. The 2-time Olympic gold medalist and new UFC bantamweight champion put a beating on the previous champion and set her sights on Nunes. The GWOAT, Nunes, confirmed that she could be popping out of retirement and can be trying to compete for the primary time since June 2023.

That is the combat to make and anticipate it in early 2026.

Face-to-face! 🔥👀 New champ 🇺🇸 Kayla Harrison meets WMMA GOAT 🇧🇷 Amanda Nunes after profitable the UFC bantamweight title at #UFC316.

Nunes retired two years in the past and enters the UFC Corridor of Fame on June 26 — nevertheless it seems like she’s obtained yet one more in her.#WMMA #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/oPJ0ifcUvQ

— Girls’s MMA Rankings (@WMMARankings) June 8, 2025

Julianna Pena vs Norma Dumont

Julianna Pena proved at UFC 316 that she isn’t worthy of a spot on the prime desk. Nobody can deny that she’s obtained grit, willpower and turning into a two-time champion isn’t straightforward. Nonetheless, the elite of the division have performed along with her after they have had the possibility.

Nobody is fascinated about a Raquel Pennington rematch. Ketlen Vieira vs Pena may very well be a painful watch. Norma Dumont is 8-2 in her UFC profession and is at present having fun with a 5 combat undefeated run. It is sensible and with a win, the Brazilian may power her means into the title image.

Joe Pyfer vs Abus Magomedov

Joe Pyfer can be a tricky one to match subsequent. He isn’t at present ranked and people ranked #14-8 are all booked. #15 Abus Magomedov is the one man who isn’t booked, ranked and never close to the highest of the division. There’s little upside to preventing Pyfer. He’s robust, hits exhausting and isn’t an enormous identify. With that being stated, until Magomedov faces Jared Cannonier subsequent, he’ll like meet Pyfer after his UFC 316 win.

Kelvin Gastelum vs Who Cares

With respect, who cares who Kelvin Gastelum faces subsequent? He’s 3-7 since his corridor of fame combat with Israel Adesanya again in 2019 and hasn’t appeared good in any of his wins. He hasn’t completed a combat since Michael Bisping took him on at very quick discover in 2017. He hasn’t put again to again end victories collectively since earlier than his UFC days (2012 for these questioning). He’s caught between welterweight and middleweight and admittedly, is now not a large enough identify to make the principle card.

Perhaps e book him in a wild rematch with Israel Adesanya and simply hope and pray that they produce a barnburner like they did beforehand… it’s unlikely although.

Mario Bautista vs Marlon Vera

Mario Bautista placed on one of many extra suprising, eye catching performances at UFC 316. He risked all of it, taking up an unranked debutant in Patchy Combine, nevertheless, confirmed the previous Bellator champion that there are ranges to this sport and that UFC veteran, Bautista is on a unique stage. Extending his profitable run to eight, Bautista wants an enormous combat subsequent.

At UFC 316 he was initially scheduled to face Marlon Vera, nevertheless, Vera needed to withdraw. Rebook that one, as a result of it would defaintely be enjoyable.

Patchy Combine vs Cody Garbrandt

Combine put in one of the vital underwhelming performances in current reminiscence from a newcomer who entered with such hype. He talked an enormous sport and people within the know have been extraordinarily excited to see him lastly make it and pull on the UFC gloves. His lack of defensive consciousness shocked many, nevertheless, as he cruised to a unanimous resolution loss.

Subsequent must be Cody Garbrandt. Though No Love has a combat this weekend, whatever the outcome, the UFC ought to e book him vs Combine subsequent. It will be enjoyable, thrilling on the ft and a very good check for each males if it hits the ground. All of the stress could be on Combine to lastly decide up a UFC win. Dana, BOOK IT!

Kevin Holland vs Carlos Prates

Kevin Holland put in one of many performances of his profession at UFC 316, tapping out Vicente Luque within the second spherical. With this win, he prolonged his welterweight profitable run to 2 straight and through his post-fight interview, he promised he would stick round at 170lbs.

Though he referred to as out Colby Covington, Carlos Prates could be way more entertaining. Each males like to strike, a followers dream. Covington gained’t take the combat. Prates wants a win after dropping in a disappointing trend final trip and Holland would supply a reputation, a possibility and a fan-friendly combat. Guide it for a important occasion.

Vicente Luque vs Mike Malott

Though Luque misplaced at UFC 316, his inventory didn’t drop. He’s by no means going to be a champion and is extremely unlikely to achieve the highest 10 once more. He does, nevertheless, all the time placed on entertaining fights.

Mike Malott remains to be on the comeback path after dropping to Neil Magny in 2024; nevertheless, he has gone 2-0 since then. He’s on the cusp of a rankings spot, however wants that well-established identify on his document, and Luque may present him that. It’s an thrilling combat between two guys who all the time come to combat. Let’s see it.