Roundtable Discussion: How Interesting is the UFC 316 Card?

Experts from MMA Fighting convened to discuss the upcoming UFC 316 event. The main event features a highly anticipated bantamweight title rematch between champion Merab Dvalishvili and former champion Sean O’Malley. Their initial encounter at UFC 306 saw Dvalishvili secure a dominant decision victory to claim the belt. The co-main event also highlights the women`s bantamweight division with a title bout between Julianna Peña and newcomer Kayla Harrison. The winner of this fight potentially sets up a major clash with the returning Amanda Nunes.

Given the significance of the card, three experts – Mike Heck, Alexander K. Lee, and Jed Meshew – shared their perspectives on the key storylines surrounding UFC 316, particularly focusing on the main event`s appeal.

The Main Event: Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2

Mike Heck admitted his initial interest in the rematch was low, around a 2.5 out of 10. However, as fight week approached, his excitement surged to at least an 8. He highlighted the compelling narratives: Could a win solidify Dvalishvili`s claim as the bantamweight GOAT, a conversation some have already started? And for O’Malley, a second loss raises significant questions about his future in the division. Would he move up to featherweight, like Rich Franklin after losses, as suggested by Chael Sonnen? Or would he stay and face rising contenders to earn another shot, similar to Max Holloway`s path? The stakes and potential outcomes are fascinating.

Alexander K. Lee rated his interest at a 7 out of 10, feeling it`s a somewhat generous baseline for a UFC title fight. He confessed that after Dvalishvili`s clear win in the first fight, he wasn`t eager for an immediate rematch. He noted the lack of other immediately compelling challengers for Dvalishvili at the time, with potential opponents like Umar Nurmagomedov or Cory Sandhagen unavailable or previously defeated (Petr Yan). Despite initial reservations, he`s now sold on the rematch, citing O’Malley`s status and the decisive nature of the first fight as paradoxical reasons why a second makes sense.

In contrast, Jed Meshew expressed shock at the higher ratings, placing his interest at a generous 2 out of 10. He labeled it one of the weakest title bookings in recent memory, questioning why O’Malley, who lost clearly just nine months prior and had a title reign with only one defense against Chito Vera (a fight he also felt was undeserved), earned an immediate rematch. He argued the fight itself is likely to be a boring repeat of the first. His biggest critique, however, was directed at Merab Dvalishvili himself. While acknowledging Merab`s exceptional skill and dominance, Meshew finds his grappling-heavy, cardio-focused style “not interesting,” likening it to a “cardio competition” rather than an entertaining fight where a fighter attempts to finish their opponent. He feels optimizing the game for wins doesn`t always equate to entertainment.

State of the Women`s Bantamweight Division

The discussion shifted to the women`s 135-pound division, with Alexander K. Lee playfully asking if something was wrong with the division, while still maintaining a degree of cautious optimism. He hoped a dominant champion like Kayla Harrison could revitalize it, though not overnight. He acknowledged Julianna Peña`s tenacity and potential for a tough fight or even a rematch. The potential for Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes was seen as a legitimate pay-per-view headliner, and even a future matchup with Valentina Shevchenko after a potential superfight could bring buzz back to the division.

Jed Meshew offered a starkly pessimistic view, declaring the division “dead,” only artificially kept alive. He argued the UFC has failed to develop the weight class, resulting in a lack of new talent and a shallow roster. He pointed to outdated rankings featuring fighters who haven`t had recent bantamweight success or are past their prime (like Chelsea Chandler or Miesha Tate). He suggested that if Kayla Harrison wins, the UFC should book her against Amanda Nunes as the division`s final title fight, retire the belt, and potentially revive the weight class years later, similar to lightweight`s history.

Mike Heck landed somewhere in the middle, agreeing the situation is “rough” but seeing potential for “short-term salvation.” He believes Amanda Nunes` teased comeback is likely contingent on Kayla Harrison winning. While acknowledging many expect Peña to be dominated, he believes Peña has a better chance than perceived, especially if the fight goes long. A quick win for Harrison, however, would significantly boost interest in a fight with Nunes. Despite potential big fights at the top, he agreed the lack of depth is a “HUGE problem” for the division.

Other Fights to Watch

Regarding the rest of the UFC 316 card, Jed Meshew found it generally weak outside the main and co-main events. He dismissed many fights, including the highly-ranked heavyweight bout between Serghei Spivac and Waldo Cortes-Acosta, and expressed reservations about Joe Pyfer vs. Kelvin Gastelum due to potential weight-cut issues and drama. He highlighted Vicente Luque vs. Kevin Holland as the most potentially fun fight, with Holland returning to welterweight where he is more effective. Despite Luque`s recent struggles, he remains dangerous. Meshew predicted Holland would likely win but anticipated an enjoyable scrap, potentially the last fun fight of the night. He also gave a shout-out to Joshua Van as always being entertaining.

Mike Heck emphasized the importance of the non-title fight between Mario Bautista and Patchy Mix, especially for hardcore fans. He called Mix a “desperately needed breath of fresh air,” highlighting his status as the former Bellator bantamweight champion looking to prove himself in the UFC after the PFL acquisition. Heck believes this fight is crucial for determining Mix`s ceiling in the UFC: a dominant win, particularly a finish, could make him a superstar and potential title contender, while a loss would likely solidify him as a perennial top-10 fighter but not a title challenger. According to Heck, no fighter on the card outside the title bouts has more at stake than Mix.

Going for a “deep cut,” Alexander K. Lee pointed to Azamat Murzakanov vs. Brendson Ribeiro as one to watch. While acknowledging Murzakanov is a significant favorite, he sees impressive potential in the 36-year-old fighter. In the relatively thin light heavyweight division, Murzakanov is not far from a title shot. Lee believes Murzakanov will be looking to make a statement to improve to 5-0 in the UFC and build his case for future title contention, potentially becoming a title challenger in 2026.