The UFC 316 press conference, held on June 5, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, showcased some of the most intense faceoffs in recent memory. With two title fights headlining the event, tensions were high as fighters came face-to-face ahead of their bouts

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley

The main event features a rematch between current bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and former champion Sean O’Malley. Their first encounter in September 2024 saw Dvalishvili capture the title via unanimous decision. At the press conference, O’Malley confidently predicted a knockout victory, stating, “No one is going to give a f— about Merab after this fight.” Dvalishvili responded by warning O’Malley that continued taunts would only lead to further humiliation. The faceoff was charged with animosity, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch.

 Kayla Harrison vs. Julianna Peña

In the co-main event, two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison faces reigning bantamweight champion Julianna Peña. Despite having only two UFC fights under her belt, Harrison confidently challenged Peña, leading to a heated exchange. Harrison dismissed Peña’s criticism of her grappling approach, countering with a sharp remark comparing their records, stating, “You’ve lost more fights than I’ve lost rounds in MMA.” Tension escalated when Harrison mentioned her intent to fight retired two-division champion Amanda Nunes next, provoking further verbal jabs from Peña. The faceoff remained non-physical, but both fighters clearly signaled their readiness to settle the score in the octagon.

 Highlights

The press conference featured several notable faceoffs:

Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley exchanged intense stares, with O’Malley making bold predictions about the fight’s outcome.

Kayla Harrison and Julianna Peña engaged in a verbal sparring session, with Harrison challenging Peña’s record and future plans.

Other fighters on the card also participated in faceoffs, showcasing the high stakes and rivalries leading up to UFC 316.

For a closer look at these intense moments, you can watch the full press conference faceoffs here:

As UFC 316 approaches, the anticipation continues to build. Fans can expect fireworks in the octagon as these rivalries come to a head.