UFC 316 Main Event Set for O'Malley-Dvalishvili Bantamweight Title Rematch in Newark

Sean O'Malley will face Merab Dvalishvili in a UFC 316 rematch after losing his bantamweight title to Dvalishvili at UFC 306, a fight O'Malley believes he was destined to lose partly due to a torn labrum and an ominous sign of a dead owl before the bout. Despite Dvalishvili's dominant performance and showboating in their first fight, he admitted he was "going easy" on O'Malley and is now motivated to finish the rematch decisively. Former UFC contender and analyst Chael Sonnen controversially disagrees with the official decision, suggesting O'Malley may have actually won the fight based on his live, commentary-free viewing, particularly impressed by O'Malley's performance in the final rounds. Sonnen has publicly defended the UFC's choice to grant an immediate rematch, emphasizing the close nature of the fight and the influence commentators may have had on public perception. Meanwhile, Dvalishvili is recovering from a swollen toe but insists it will not affect his performance in their upcoming bout at UFC 316, where he seeks his second title defense. This rematch continues to captivate fans and analysts alike due to the controversial first fight and the high stakes involved.