The main card lineup for UFC 316 has been significantly updated following the signing of former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix. Mix has immediately stepped in to accept a short-notice fight on the June 7th pay-per-view event.
This revised five-fight main card was announced Saturday night after Marlon “Chito” Vera withdrew from the card due to an injury sustained during training.
Mix now enters the fold, booked to face Mario Bautista in a bantamweight contest. This fight adds to a strong lineup heading to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Not only does this bout mark Mix`s promotional debut inside the octagon, but it also provides the final Bellator 135-pound champion an immediate opportunity to prove his standing among the elite by taking on a top-15 ranked opponent in his first UFC appearance.
Naturally, the main event for UFC 316 remains unchanged, featuring bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili defending his title in a highly anticipated rematch against Sean O’Malley. The two previously met last September, and are set to clash again on June 7th.
The co-main event pits the reigning women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena against two-time Olympic judo gold medalist Kayla Harrison. Since joining the UFC, Harrison has accumulated a 2-0 record, including a notable victory over former champion Holly Holm. She will attempt to capture UFC championship gold when she challenges Pena at UFC 316.
Completing the main card are two other exciting matchups: Kelvin Gastelum takes on Joe Pyfer in a middleweight bout, and Vicente Luque faces Kevin Holland in the welterweight opener for the main portion of the card on June 7th.
The full fight order, including preliminary bouts preceding the main card, is still yet to be determined and will be announced later.
UFC 316 Main Card:
- Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley (Bantamweight Title)
- Co-Main Event: Julianna Pena vs. Kayla Harrison (Women`s Bantamweight)
- Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer (Middleweight)
- Mario Bautista vs. Patchy Mix (Bantamweight)
- Vicente Luque vs. Kevin Holland (Welterweight)
