UFC 316 is in the books, and Merab Dvalishvili has officially cemented himself as the undisputed bantamweight king after a dominant victory in the rematch against Sean O’Malley. With a performance defined by pace, pressure, and pure grit, Merab has shut down one of the most dangerous strikers in UFC history—twice.

Now that he holds the crown, the question on everyone’s mind is: What’s next for “The Machine”? And beyond that, what should be next for the rest of the key players from this historic card?

Let’s break down every fight to make after UFC 316.

Merab Dvalishvili – Next Opponent: Cory Sandhagen

If there’s one name that makes perfect sense for Merab’s next defense, it’s Cory Sandhagen.

Sandhagen is healthy again and riding a win streak.

Stylistically, he’s a high-volume striker with elite footwork—one of the few bantamweights who might be able to neutralize Merab’s wrestling-heavy pressure.

He’s also ranked among the top contenders and hasn’t had a title shot yet.

Why it makes sense: It’s a fresh matchup, it’s elite vs. elite, and it would test whether Merab can handle a long, rangy technician who doesn’t slow down.

Backup options:

Umar Nurmagomedov (if he gets one more high-profile win)

Henry Cejudo (if he returns and wants to make noise)

Sean O’Malley – Next Opponent: Petr Yan 2

It’s time for Sean O’Malley to regroup. After losing twice to Merab, it’s clear he needs a reset fight—not a step down, but a fight that gives him a chance to reassert his elite skills.

Enter: Petr Yan 2.

Their first fight was razor-close.

Yan also needs a bounce-back moment.

Both are still massive names with fan appeal.Why it makes sense: Two elite strikers, unfinished business, and a chance for either man to stay in the title mix.

Kayla Harrison – Next Opponent: Raquel Pennington (Title Shot)

After her jaw-dropping debut at UFC 316, Kayla Harrison deserves a title shot right now. No tune-ups, no delays.

She’s a two-time Olympic gold medalist.

She just steamrolled a top-5 contender.

The UFC’s women’s bantamweight division needs a new face.

The perfect next step? A title fight against Raquel Pennington.

Why it makes sense: It’s champion vs. destroyer. A proven veteran vs. a surging star. Marketable, high-stakes, and inevitable.

Other Key Matchups to Consider After UFC 316

Aljamain Sterling (now at featherweight): Could face Arnold Allen or Movsar Evloev in a test of how well his skills translate to 145.

Song Yadong vs. Rob Font: A perfect “gatekeeper vs. rising star” matchup to clarify who’s a real top-5 threat.

Marlon “Chito” Vera vs. Dominick Cruz 2: A chance for both men to find relevance again in a crowded division.

Final Thoughts: The Bantamweight Machine Keeps Rolling

With Merab Dvalishvili at the top, the bantamweight division has entered a new era. Gone is the highlight-reel chaos of O’Malley, and in its place stands a champion defined by discipline, cardio, and grit.

This isn’t just a title reign—it feels like the beginning of a grind-heavy dynasty.

Now it’s up to the UFC to line up the right challengers, and up to the rest of the division to find an answer to the most exhausting puzzle in MMA today: how do you stop “The Machine”?