Latest news with #Dvalishvili
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
UFC 316 Fight Card: Early Prelims Odds, Picks And Predictions
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 24: Wang Cong of China reacts after her knockout victory against Victoria ... More Leonardo in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on August 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) The UFC 316 pay-per-view fight card is on the horizon. The event, which features two title fights at the top of the card, takes place on Saturday, June 7, from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. While most of the focus will be on Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley and Jessica Pena vs. Kayla Harrison, we want to prepare fans for all of the fights on the UFC 316 fight card. Below, we look at the betting odds, line movement, predictions, and picks for the three-fight early prelim contests on UFC 316. The UFC 316 main event sees UFC bantamweight champion Dvalishvili facing O'Malley, the man he took that title from. In the fight card's co-main event, two-time UFC women's bantamweight champ Pena looks to defend that belt against former two-time PFL lightweight tournament winner Harrison. The main card of UFC 316 streams on ESPN+ PPV following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+. Ariane da Silva vs. Wang Cong - Women's Flyweight Jeka Saragih vs. Joo Sang Yoo - Featherweight Quillan Salkilld vs. Yanal Ashmouz - Lightweight LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 24: Wang Cong of China prepares to face Victoria Leonardo in a flyweight ... More fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on August 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Closing out the UFC 316 early prelims is a women's flyweight scrap between Ariane da Silva (17-10) and Wang Cong (7-1). Da Silva has been with the UFC since January 2019. The 31-year-old joined the promotion with an 11-3 record. Her best UFC run came in 2023 when she went 3-0, defeating JJ Aldrich, Melissa Gatto, and Casey O'Neill. Since her December 2023 submission victory over O'Neill, Da Silva is 0-2, most recently falling to Jasmine Jasudavicius via submission. Da Silva is the No. 13 fighter in the official UFC women's flyweight rankings. Wang joined the UFC in 2024. She came to the promotion with some fanfare because of her 2015 kickboxing win over current UFC women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko. In her UFC debut, Wang scored an impressive knockout win over Victoria Leonardo. However, she lost some shine in her next outing when Gabriella Fernandes choked her out in their meeting in China. In her most recent trip to the Octagon, Wang earned a decision win over Bruna Brasil. The opening odds for this matchup saw Wang open as the -400 favorite over the +330 Da Silva. Today, those odds are -360 for Wang and +295 for Da Silva. Wang's goal will be to keep this fight on the feet because her best route to victory is her striking. Da Silva has been knocked out three times under the UFC banner, and that does not bode well for her in this matchup. The betting pick is Wang to beat Da Silva via knockout. Jeka Saragih (14-4) is the runner-up from the Road to UFC Season 1 lightweight tournament. He comes into UFC 316 with a 1-2 UFC record, most recently losing to Westin Wilson via submission in June of last year. Joo Sang Yoo (8-0) makes his UFC debut at UFC 316. The 31-year-old has three knockout wins, one submission, and four decisions. His most recent victory came in December when he defeated Masuto Kawana via first-round knockout. The opening odds for this matchup favored Sang Yoo (-300) over Saragih (+250). Those odds have widened. Today, Sang Yoo is the -500 betting favorite over the +375 Saragih. Saragih has more experience, but he is struggling with lower-level UFC foes. The pick is for Sang Yoo to pick up a knockout win in this featherweight matchup. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 09: Quillan Salkilld of Australia reacts after a knockout victory ... More against Anshul Jubli of India in a lightweight fight during the UFC 312 event at Qudos Bank Arena on February 09, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Opening the UFC 316 fight card is a lightweight scrap between Quillan Salkilld and Yanal Ashmouz. Salkilld (8-1) scored a UFC deal with a decision win in one of the better fights from the 2024 Dana White's Contender Series bouts. He followed that with a 19-second knockout win over Anshul Jubli at UFC 312, winning a 'Performance of the Night' bonus in the opening fight of the pay-per-view card. Ashmouz (8-1) joined the UFC in 2023 after fights with the PFL, Ring of Combat, and Cage Fury, among others. He is 2-1 in the UFC and coming off a decision win over Trevor Peek in September 2024. The opening odds for this contest had Salkilld as the -220 betting favorite over the +185 Ashmouz. Those odds have shifted. Today, Salkilld is listed at -400, while Ashmouz is the +300 betting underdog. Salkilld is a fighter with a lot of hype thanks to his eight-fight winning streak and his news-making UFC debut. The 25-year-old is someone to watch, and it feels as if the UFC has him booked as the opening fight to make sure fans are in their seats for the start of the UFC 316 fight card. Ashmouz is a smart fighter, but he's giving up height, reach, and power in this matchup, and that does not bode well. The betting pick is for Salkilld to beat Ashmouz via knockout. We will have more on UFC 316 as fight night approaches, including odds, picks and predictions for the prelims and main card. Also, look for UFC 316 results and reactions on fight night.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Merab Dvalishvili gives toe injury update, says UFC 316 feels different than first Sean O'Malley fight
Merab Dvalishvili gives toe injury update, says UFC 316 feels different than first Sean O'Malley fight Show Caption Hide Caption Merab Dvalishvili Talks Sean O'Malley Title Bout Showdown at UFC 316 Merab Dvalishvili speaks with media members at Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas ahead of his UFC 316 title fight against champion Sean O'Malley. LAS VEGAS – Everyone relax. Merab Dvalishvili is fine, according to the man himself. Thursday at Syndicate MMA, the UFC bantamweight champion Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) partook in an open workout before he fielded questions from reporters including MMA Junkie. It's no surprise the first one centered around his health, after he posted video of a toe injury just days ago. "No more black and blue. Still a little fat, but it's good," Dvalishvili laughed. "I'm working. It's a little pinky toe. It won't be any problem. ... That is how it was. But like my coach said, if it's something important, I'm not going to post it. That was not important. Like I said, I have nine other toes and I'm good. ... I was surprised how much reaction there was from people. It's like, guys, it's nothing really. It was nothing." The word "nothing" is relieving to hear for many, but perhaps none enjoy hearing it more than the UFC. Dvalishvili is currently nine days out from headlining UFC 316 on June 6 against former titleholder Sean O'Malley at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The bout is a rematch of their UFC 306 meeting in September. Dvalishvili dominated the first fight, but expects an even better O'Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) this time out. "Him and his coach studied our fight," Dvalishvili said. "They know what are my strongest ways, what are my weaknesses. They have a long camp and I'm waiting and I'm accepting the best version of Sean O'Malley. That's my job to take this fight serious. I should not look down on him because I'm ready to work. Hopefully, I'm going to make it much easier." Due to the one-sidedness and recency of their first meeting, the rematch booking had many fight fans scratching their heads. While the matchup seems the same at face value, Dvalishvili said he's getting different vibes. "It definitely feels different because the first time I was the challenger," Dvalishvili said. "Now, I'm a champion. This time, he's the challenger. I already beat him. In the beginning, it was hard to motivate myself to fight the same guy who I dominated. Now, I know he's going to change a lot of things. He's already changed his lifestyle and everything. We may see Sean defend my takedowns and we may see we go fight striking. I'm ready for that. It's going to be a good fight, for sure. "He's a great striker and I can not relax one second. We all know he can crack me, or maybe I can crack him. If you guys don't believe me, make sure to buy the pay-per-view. It's going to be a great fight. I feel good. It's almost time now. I feel good. On Saturday, I'm going to start the weight cut. Now, I'm still good. I'm still eating everything."
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Ex-champ forced into major lifestyle change and ditches smoking cannabis to win title back at UFC 316
SEAN O'MALLEY has gone to extreme lengths to try to reclaim the UFC men's bantamweight title, including ditching two of his favourite pleasures. The fan favourite's reign as king of the 135-pounders came to a gruelling and energy-sapping end at the hands of Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 last September. 4 4 4 The 30-year-old was forced to take stock of his training and daily habits in the aftermath of the dominant defeat. And he's since decided to forgo two of his favourite pleasures - MARIJUANA and SELF-LOVE. He said on his TimboSuga podcast with head coach Sean Welch: "I haven't j'd the peen (self-loved) once this year – not once in 2025. "Haven't j'd the peen, haven't been on social. I haven't gamed, either. I quit gaming. "I did a lot of gaming, two or three hours a day, and I need to fill it with something. "We've been playing a lot of Texas Hold 'Em poker with the fellas. "It's been too fun. It's like gaming. "You say, 'One more hand.' I quit smoking weed, too. I just stopped randomly. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 4 "I just didn't like the way it made me feel. I'm not overeating. My sleep's better." Despite feeling the benefits of a marijuana-free life, O'Malley admits he'll eventually start smoking the Mary Jane again. He continued: "I'm not done smoking forever, but just right now I don't feel the need to. "And I just don't have any desire to. I feel like it's been good.' O'Malley will look to exact his revenge on Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 316 in Newark a week on Sunday morning. And he believes his wholesale lifestyle changes will bear fruit in the cage. He said: 'I feel like a lot of things that have changed in my life are going to attribute to my performance. "I haven't J'd the peen once this year – not once in 2025." Sean O'Malley, former UFC men's bantamweight champion "For example, not being on social media. I decided in 2025 [that] I'm done with social media. "I don't get on social media, and I feel like that's changed my life. "It's only been three months, but I literally feel like it's changed my life, and I feel like that's going to play a role in my performance. "All those little things –making decisions like that, sacrifices. "I don't believe [social media] is a sacrifice, but giving up something, I feel like that is going to help me perform in the future.'
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
UFC star Sean O'Malley forced to 'level up' ahead of massive rematch
Sean O'Malley's coach Tim Welch has opened up on the impact of the bantamweight king's defeat to Merab Dvalishvili ahead of the pair's eagerly-anticipated rematch Sean O'Malley's long-time coach Tim Welch claims the American's defeat to Merab Dvalishvili forced the former champion to "level up." O'Malley clinched the bantamweight title in 2023 with a knockout victory over Aljamain Sterling and then retained his title against Marlon Vera. But in his second defence of the 135lb title, 'Suga' was thoroughly outclassed by Dvalishvili. Since their first bout, O'Malley hasn't stepped back into the octagon, while Dvalishvili went on to defend the coveted gold prize earlier this year against Umar Nurmagomedov. The two are set to clash again next month, topping the bill at the highly anticipated UFC 316 event on June 7. Ahead of the mouthwatering sequel, 'Suga' changed his ways, and according to the American's long-time coach, the loss had a significant impact on O'Malley, especially compared to when the 30-year-old fell short against Vera in 2020. "I've seen it a lot after a fighter loses — it literally just demoralises them," Welch said on the Ariel Helwani show. "You see their confidence go away. But with Sean, he's not like that. He's a mentally very strong kid, and I knew for a fact that he was going to figure out, 'what's going to be the best mentality I can have after this,' and he's going to do that. It forced him to change a lot of things in his life, and it forced him to just kind of level up. It did kind of humble both of us and it forced us to level up, so his mindset has been so good. "His happiness doesn't come from winning or losing his fights. His happiness comes from his relationships with his family and his health and stuff. So I knew the type of kid he is - I'm around him enough. It's not like he went out there and got his ass kicked [by Dvalishvili]. He didn't walk out of there with black eyes and bruised ribs, a cut face. He was more healthy after that fight, I think, than any of our other fights. Tactical mistakes, [he] got tired, was super bummed out for a little bit, but it definitely woke up a different 'Sugar.'" With only a few weeks left until the showdown, UFC commentator Joe Rogan predicts a challenging night for O'Malley. Dvalishvili, renowned for his relentless style and exceptional cardio, managed six takedowns and had 10 minutes of control time over 'Suga' in their initial bout. Ahead of the rematch, Rogan wonders how O'Malley will manage to keep the champion at a distance. "That's an interesting fight," Rogan said during a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience. "Very interesting fight. I do not know how 'Suga' Sean keeps that guy off of him... He's a f****** animal." "That guy's superhuman. There's no one like him. The cardio that guy has is off the charts. It's just off the charts. I've never seen anything like it. He doesn't get tired. He's full gas, no brakes the entire fight. It's just smothering, overwhelming people. Even [Umar] Nurmagomedov, who's also an animal. He couldn't keep [Dvalishvili] off of him. This m*********** crazy."
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Henry Cejudo on what makes 'greatest bantamweight of all time' Merab Dvalishvili so good
Henry Cejudo on what makes 'greatest bantamweight of all time' Merab Dvalishvili so good Henry Cejudo had high praise for former UFC foe Merab Dvalishvili. Cejudo (16-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) lost to Dvalishvili by unanimous decision at UFC 298. Dvalishvili went on to dethrone Sean O'Malley to become bantamweight champion at UFC 306, and notched his first title defense by handing Umar Nurmagomedov his first loss at UFC 311. Olympic gold medalist wrestler and former UFC dual-champion Cejudo was put in unfamiliar territory by Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) when he was taken down five times in their fight. "I knew Merab was really, really good with his chain fighting," Cejudo said on the JAXXON PODCAST. "So, it's not even wrestling, it's how you chain it. That's what separates them. Chaining is really putting the punches together and boom, the level change comes. Rather than just you maybe throwing a right hand and all of a sudden the level change comes. "He's able to mix it very good with his fakes and feints into takedowns. He's a f*cking machine. It's his cardio, it's his conditioning. It's the same reason why he can't knock people out because he just knows that certain threshold where he could just keep it there and take it there. He can't necessarily finish you, but he'll f*cking drown you." Dvalishvili will run things back with O'Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in the UFC 316 main event on June 7 from Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Cejudo sticks by his statement that Dvalishvili is the greatest bantamweight of all time. "I got to give credit to Merab and this is why I would say he's the greatest bantamweight of all time," Cejudo said. "Maybe he doesn't have the title defenses, but look at who he's beat. Yeah (he's better than Dillashaw). Look at the list of who he's beat and how he's beat them. There's a big difference."
