Merab set to join Khabib, Jon Jones in UFC record books with UFC 316 victory over Sean O’Malley — ‘This is big’

Jesse Holland is among the longest-tenured media professionals in the combat sports news space, covering MMA, professional wrestling and boxing on a full-time basis since early 2004.

Reigning UFC bantamweight champion, Merab Dvalishvili, can do more than just defend his bantamweight title with a victory over Sean O’Malley in the UFC 316 pay-per-view (PPV) main event on Sat. night (June 7, 2025) at Prudential Center in Newark.

He can also join some of the biggest names in history in the UFC record books.

Dvalishvili (19-4) has won 12 straight fights under the UFC banner. Defeating O’Malley this weekend in “The Garden State” would give him 13 in a row, tied with former lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and current heavyweight kingpin, Jon Jones.

“Wow, this is big, and this is another motivation for me,” Dvalishvili told MMA Junkie. “This is great, but I’m just gonna focus for my next fight like I was before. Then, God willing, win this fight and yeah, lots of records, lots of new history will be made and this is good. But it means a lot. Just to be mention my name with these guys, I’m grateful.”

Only three UFC fighters in history have won more than 13 straight. The top spot goes to former middleweight champion Anderson Silva (16), followed by ex-welterweight titleholder Kamaru Usman (15) and soon to be former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (15).

The best of the best.

In addition to Nurmagomedov and Jones, former UFC champions Demetrious Johnson, Max Holloway, and Georges St-Pierre have also registered 13 straight wins. Naturally, this list only changes if Dvalishvili can finish what he started at UFC 306 last fall in Las Vegas.

LIVE! Watch UFC 316 PPV On ESPN+ Here!

CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLE-DIP! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) continues its 2025 pay-per-view (PPV) schedule on Sat., June 7, 2025, with a championship doubleheader headlining UFC 316 from Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. In UFC 316’s PPV main event, Bantamweight roost-ruler, Merab Dvalishvili, defends his title against former division champion, Sean O’Malley, in a highly-anticipated five-round rematch. UFC 316’s PPV co-main event features women’s Bantamweight titleholder, Julianna Pena, facing off against two-time Olympic gold medalist, Kayla Harrison, in a thrilling five-round clash. UFC 316 will also showcase a 135-pound showdown between Patchy Mix vs. Mario Bautista, as well as a Welterweight bout pitting Vicente Luque vs. Kevin Holland and much more! UFC 316’s start time is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (“Early Prelims”), 8 p.m. ET (“Prelims” undercard) and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).

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MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC 316 fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the early ESPN+ preliminary card matches at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by the remaining undercard balance on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, before the UFC 316 PPV main card start time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC 316: “Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here. For the updated and finalized UFC 316 fight card and PPV lineup click here.