UFC 316 Weigh-In Recap: Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley, Peña vs. Harrison Set for War in Newark

Get ready, fight fans—UFC 316 is locked and loaded for Saturday night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey! But before the cage door slams shut and fists fly, all eyes turned to the official weigh-ins, which went down Friday morning at the UFC host hotel in New Jersey. And MMA Junkie was there on the front lines, bringing every ounce (literally) of the drama as fighters stepped on the scale.

🎯 Morning Weigh-In Drama: Calm Before the Storm

The early weigh-ins kicked off the day in classic UFC fashion—no fans, just fighters, coaches, and commission officials in a tense, quiet room. This is where the real work happens. Hydration is gone. Sweat is real. The moment of truth? A cold scale, an official call, and a nod from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

This private weigh-in window is crucial—it’s where fighters officially make weight, no frills. It’s also the calm before the ceremonial weigh-ins, which happen later at 5 p.m. ET, this time in front of roaring fans at the Prudential Center.

💥 Main Event Madness: Dvalishvili vs. O'Malley 2

Let’s talk about the main event, because it's absolute 🔥.

Reigning bantamweight king Merab Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) tipped the scales at 134 pounds, while fan-favorite and former champ Sean “Sugar” O'Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) came in at an even 135. That means their epic rematch for the bantamweight title is officially on.

This isn’t just a fight—it’s personal. Their first clash was electric, and the buildup to this rematch has only intensified the heat. Merab’s suffocating wrestling and relentless pace meet O’Malley’s sniper-like precision and flair. Could be a battle for the ages.

👑 Co-Main Spotlight: Peña vs. Harrison – A Clash of Queens

Now, hold up—we’ve got a women’s bantamweight banger that might just steal the show.

Champion Julianna Peña (13-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) is putting her title on the line against one of the most decorated athletes to ever enter MMA—Kayla Harrison (18-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC). Both women came in at exactly 135 pounds.

Harrison isn’t just another contender. She’s a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, a two-time PFL champion, and comes into this fight as a massive betting favorite (-800). Peña, never one to back down from a challenge, has been fired up all week. The tension is real, and if you’re a fan of elite grappling and heart-pounding pace, you’ll want your popcorn ready.

📺 UFC 316 Main Card Weigh-In Results

📅 Saturday | 🕙 10 p.m. ET | 📺 ESPN, ESPN+

• 🏆 Merab Dvalishvili (134 lbs) vs. Sean O'Malley (135 lbs)
  – Bantamweight Title Fight

• 🏆 Julianna Peña (135 lbs) vs. Kayla Harrison (135 lbs)
  – Women’s Bantamweight Title Fight

• 🧨 Kelvin Gastelum (185 lbs) vs. Joe Pyfer (TBA)
  – Middleweight Slugfest Incoming

• 👊 Mario Bautista (135.1 lbs) vs. Patchy Mix (135.1 lbs)
  – Two rising stars, one gritty war

• ⚔️ Kevin Holland (170.1 lbs) vs. Vicente Luque (170 lbs)
  – Expect fireworks in this welterweight showcase

🚀 Prelim Card Stacked with Action

The UFC 316 undercard is no throwaway. It’s loaded with hungry contenders and future stars looking to break through.

🕗 Prelims | 8 p.m. ET | ESPN, ESPN+

• ⚡ Bruno Silva (125 lbs) vs. Joshua Van (125.1 lbs)
  – Flyweight speed demons square off

• 🔥 Azamat Murzakanov (205 lbs) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (205 lbs)
  – Light heavyweight showdown full of knockout potential

• 🪨 Waldo Cortes-Acosta (265 lbs) vs. Serghei Spivac (251 lbs)
  – Heavyweight brawl between power punchers

• 🚀 Andreas Gustafsson (170 lbs) vs. Khaos Williams (170 lbs)
  – One word: chaos

🕕 Early Prelims | 6 p.m. ET | ESPN, ESPN+

• 🧭 Wang Cong (125 lbs) vs. Ariane da Silva (132 lbs)
  – Note: da Silva missed weight by 7 lbs

• 🥋 Jeka Saragih (145 lbs) vs. Joo Sang Yoo (145.1 lbs)
  – Featherweight fire incoming

• 💥 Yanal Ashmouz (155 lbs) vs. Quillan Salkilld (156 lbs)
  – Expect a sleeper classic

• 🎯 Mark Choinski (155 lbs) vs. MarQuel Mederos (TBA)
  – Lightweight showcase with rising stakes

🚨 A Note on Missed Weight

There’s always one at weigh-ins, and this time it’s Ariane da Silva, who came in at 132 pounds—well over the flyweight limit. No word yet on penalties or whether the fight with Wang Cong will go forward, but this definitely adds some heat to the early prelims.

📣 Final Word: Why You Can’t Miss UFC 316

This card has it all. A title rematch with legacy implications. A potential passing of the torch (or not) in the women’s division. And don’t sleep on the names stacked below—there are killers up and down this event.

From Merab’s relentless grind to O’Malley’s flashy footwork, from Kayla Harrison’s judo dominance to Peña’s gritty will to win—this event is MMA at its purest.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan or tuning in for the first time, UFC 316 promises a night full of chaos, drama, and unforgettable moments.

📍Catch it all Saturday night on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View.

Meta Description (2 lines, under 160 characters):
UFC 316 weigh-ins confirmed: Dvalishvili vs. O'Malley 2 and Peña vs. Harrison are set. Get the full results and all the fight night hype!

Title Suggestion:
UFC 316 Weigh-In Recap: Dvalishvili-O’Malley, Peña-Harrison Set the Stage for Saturday Showdown

Let me know if you want a custom breakdown for each fighter or want promotional content or visuals for social media!