Overview

• On June 7 at Newark’s Prudential Center, O’Malley will challenge Dvalishvili for the UFC bantamweight title in a rematch many view as a potential GOAT showdown at 135 pounds.
• Following hip surgery, O’Malley has intensified wrestling and grappling sessions and instituted a monthlong hiatus from social media and marijuana to sharpen his title rematch preparation.
• Dvalishvili has admitted difficulty reaching 135 pounds, prompting him to divide his final 10-pound cut over two days and seek UFC performance institute support for a new approach.
• Former champions Henry Cejudo and Daniel Cormier have raised doubts about O’Malley’s camp focus, urging improvements to his takedown defense and get-up game after his 2024 defeat.
• UFC 316 streams live on ESPN+ pay-per-view with the main card beginning at 10 p.m. ET from Newark, New Jersey.