Bantamweight title doubleheader tops UFC’s return to New Jersey

UFC 316 will be headlined by a pair of bantamweight title fights -- a rematch of Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley for Dvalishvili's title, and a women's bout between champion Julianna Pena and Kayla Harrison -- as the UFC returns to New Jersey for the third straight year on Saturday night in Newark, N.J.

All 10 main card fighters were present Thursday afternoon at the pre-fight presser, but the focus shone brightly on the title fights.

Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2) won the belt from O'Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) last September by decision, but both men agreed that this rematch is going to be a different fight. Nevertheless, Dvalishvili did make one promise.

"We can be friends (after the fight)," Dvalishvili said.

While O'Malley didn't directly oblige, he confirmed he is much more confident entering the rematch.

"I'm undefeated in rematches," O'Malley said. "We're gonna keep it that way."

Regarding the co-headliner, both Pena (13-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) and Harrison (18-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) have kept up the trash talk between each other. Pena was critical of Harrison's resume, which the former Professional Fighters League star took personally.

"It would be an honor and a privilege to be the face of women's MMA," Harrison said. "I don't take it lightly. I consider it a huge responsibility and Saturday night, I'm gonna go out there and I'm gonna leave it all in the cage so that I can be ‘and new' UFC champion of the world."

Pena was not amused by Harrison's confidence level, questioning how the former judo Olympian would beat her.

"I'm not going to let this girl talk all over me and try to think she's gonna get into my head. It's not going to happen," Pena said.

Harrison said that with a victory over Pena, she would entertain a fight against future UFC Hall of Famer Amanda Nunes, an ex-rival of Pena's who has hinted she may come out of retirement.

Nevertheless, the card features 13 fights as it is the first of two UFC numbered events this month. The five-fight main card begins at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on ESPN+ pay-per-view. Below is the running order.

Main card (Start time 10 p.m. ET, ESPN+ PPV)

--Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley -- Dvalishvili's UFC bantamweight title

--Julianna Pena vs. Kayla Harrison -- Pena's UFC bantamweight title

--Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer, middleweight

--Mario Bautista vs. Patchy Mix, bantamweight

--Vicente Luque vs. Kevin Holland, welterweight