Context:

Merab Dvalishvili successfully defended his 135-pound championship title at UFC 316 by defeating Sean O'Malley in the third round through submission. The event, held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, witnessed the attendance of notable figures such as President Donald Trump and Mike Tyson. Another highlight of the event was Kayla Harrison's victory over Julianna Peña, making Harrison a UFC champion after winning two Olympic gold medals in judo and a successful career in the Professional Fighters League. Harrison's win has set up a potential showdown with Amanda Nunes, who has expressed interest in returning to fight Harrison for the 135-pound belt. The presence of Trump added to the spectacle, as he received a warm reception and interacted with fighters like Kevin Holland and Joe Pyfer, who celebrated their victories with gestures honoring the President's attendance.

Dive Deeper:

• Merab Dvalishvili retained his 135-pound UFC championship by defeating Sean O'Malley via submission in the third round, marking his 13th consecutive MMA victory and reinforcing his dominance in the division.

• The UFC 316 event was attended by President Donald Trump and boxing legend Mike Tyson, adding a layer of prestige and excitement to the proceedings, with Trump receiving a standing ovation upon his entrance.

• Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic judo gold medalist, claimed the 135-pound championship by defeating Julianna Peña with a submission just before the end of the second round, marking her rapid rise in the UFC after transitioning from the Professional Fighters League.

• Post-victory, Harrison publicly called out Amanda Nunes, who had retired in 2023 but showed willingness to return for a fight against Harrison, setting the stage for a highly anticipated future matchup in the UFC.

• The event also featured impressive performances from other fighters, such as Kevin Holland, who won his bout with Vicente Luque and celebrated by shaking hands with Trump, and Joe Pyfer, who defeated Kelvin Gastelum while draped in the American flag.

• Harrison's challenge to Nunes and their subsequent face-to-face encounter in the cage heightened the event's drama, with fans eagerly anticipating a clash between the two champions.

• The involvement of President Trump and his interactions with fighters during the event underscored the crossover appeal and high-profile nature of UFC 316, as it blended sports with political and celebrity presence.