UFC 316 Nearly Derailed by Chaos as Crowd Barrier Collapses During Merab Dvalishvili's Walkout (Video)
UFC 316 Nearly Derailed by Chaos as Crowd Barrier Collapses During Merab Dvalishvili's Walkout (Video) originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
When UFC fans attend an event, they anticipate knockouts and submissions, and rarely consider the unpredictable hazards that can occur due to negligence from event organizers. UFC athletes train to handle opponents, not collapsing barriers, rogue spectators, or last-minute logistical nightmares that test their focus. After last night, however, it seems like fighters will have to get used to adapting to whatever madness unfolds on fight night, as it is possible that chaos can erupt outside the Octagon before they face their opponent.
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UFC 316's main event nearly turned disastrous before the fighters even reached the Octagon, as a railing collapsed during bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili's walkout, sending fans and a camera crew tumbling onto the walkway.
UFC CEO Dana WhitePhoto by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Watch a clip of the incident here:
Security personnel swiftly intervened, preventing the champion from being caught in the chaos, though a cameraman was knocked to the ground amid the scramble.
'Everybody was hanging over the edge, and it collapsed,' UFC CEO Dana White remarked at the post-fight press conference. 'Thank God this was a low one, not a high one.'
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, though the UFC faced immediate scrutiny over venue safety protocols.
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Merab Dvalishvili reacted to the UFC 316 barrier collapse with his trademark humor and professionalism.
'What happened was, I was walking and people [tried] to touch me and I [tried] to jump and touch them. I guess they pushed the barrier, and it went up,' Dvalishvili recalled. They almost kicked me in the head and knocked me out before I walked in.''
The champion's ability to shrug off the walkout chaos and dominate O'Malley, submitting him via third-round north-south choke, further cemented his reputation as one of MMA's most unflappable stars.
Regarding his mental state after the incident, Merab said, 'I saw what happened, and I'm just a professional; there was nothing I could do at that time. I cannot really help people. This happened, and I had to make it to the octagon because I was fighting.'
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Related: UFC Seattle Main Event Ends in Chaos Rematch Almost Certain
Related: Dana White Adds Fuel to Jon Jones Retirement Rumors 'If He Wants to Retire, There's Nothing I Can Do"
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
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