UFC 316 delivered an action-packed night for fans from beginning to end. Dramatic knockouts, slick submissions, and firework-filled decisions lit up the evening. However, as with any UFC card, for every thrilling victory, there is the bitter taste of defeat. Here, we take a look at the biggest stock risers and fallers following an exhilarating night of action.
Reaching GOAT Status – Merab Dvalishvili
Heading into the main event, many had begun to question Dominick Cruz’s seemingly immovable position as the bantamweight division’s GOAT. UFC commentator Jon Anik even suggested that Merab Dvalishvili had already surpassed the future Hall of Famer. While some pushed back on that notion, pointing to UFC 316 as the final test, Merab left no doubts. “The Machine” delivered yet another dominant, relentless performance, overwhelming Sean O’Malley with his pressure and freakish pace before submitting the former champion in the third round. In doing so, Merab silenced critics of his finishing ability and firmly cemented his status as the greatest bantamweight of all time.
It’s now hard to imagine anyone dethroning him anytime soon. A bona fide superstar, Dvalishvili’s stock is soaring after UFC 316.
Rising to the Title Conversation – Joshua Van
Merab wasn’t the only fighter whose stock skyrocketed. Twenty-three-year-old Joshua Van put on another stunning performance in his toughest test to date, dismantling the #12-ranked flyweight Bruno Silva and setting a new division record with four knockdowns.
As the only Burmese fighter in UFC history, Van appears to have all the tools of a future champion. His sharp boxing is now paired with gritty, resilient takedown defence. With eight UFC fights in just two years, Van has quickly earned fans’ respect through his willingness to face tough competition without hesitation. He now stands on the edge of the title conversation, even calling for a fight with #2-ranked flyweight and former champion Brandon Moreno. Whilst a huge leap in competition, Moreno provides the perfect challenge to prove Van’s championship potential.
A Debuting Disappointment – Patchy Mix
Of course, every UFC card has its winners and losers. While we’ve focused so far on those who rose to the occasion, some fighters saw their stock take a hit, and none more than Patchy Mix.
Heading into UFC 316, many viewed Mix’s debut as the arrival of a future contender in the bantamweight division. But his performance was underwhelming. Hesitant and often a stationary target, Mix allowed Mario Bautista to pick him apart. Though Bautista poses a tough challenge for any debutant, fans were left bemused by Mix’s lack of urgency and inability to adapt. Once seen as a potential title challenger, Mix now finds himself possibly facing an unranked opponent next. A stark turnaround is needed in his next fight if those early aspirations are to be revived.
The Fall of a Superstar – Sean O’Malley
Sean O’Malley was once seen as the face of the UFC—a flamboyant showman likened to Conor McGregor. However, in MMA, things change fast, and UFC 316 showed just how fleeting stardom can be. O’Malley entered Newark with everything on the line: a shot to reclaim his belt and avenge a previous loss. Instead, he spent much of the fight defending takedowns before being submitted in the third round by Dvalishvili. Now riding back-to-back dominant defeats, serious questions loom. Is there a future for O’Malley in the bantamweight division? Can he bounce back? The aura of invincibility seems to be fading, and O’Malley must regroup quickly. In MMA, the sport moves fast, and if “Suga Sean” can’t keep up, he will be left behind.
A special mention must also be given to Yoo Joo-sang and Andreas Gustafsson, whose performances inside the cage set the tone for the evening and provided the Newark audience with moments of pure elation. Both men saw their stocks shoot to the stars after their wins, leaving fans eager to tune into their next bouts.
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