The main card lineup for UFC 316, scheduled for June 7, has been updated following the signing of former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix, who has immediately accepted a short-notice fight on the pay-per-view event.
The revised five-fight main card was announced on Saturday night after Marlon “Chito” Vera was forced to withdraw from the card due to an injury sustained during training.
Patchy Mix now steps in to face Mario Bautista in a bantamweight matchup. Their fight joins an already strong card set to take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
This bout marks Mix`s debut appearance in the Octagon. The final champion of Bellator`s 135-pound division has an immediate opportunity to demonstrate his standing among the sport`s elite by facing a top-15 ranked opponent in his first UFC fight.
The main event for UFC 316 remains unchanged: Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili is still set to defend his title in a rematch against Sean O’Malley. Dvalishvili previously defeated O’Malley when they met last September, and they will run back their rivalry on June 7.
The co-main event features reigning women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena taking on two-time Olympic judo gold medalist Kayla Harrison. Since joining the UFC, Harrison holds a 2-0 record within the promotion, including a victory over former champion Holly Holm. She will now attempt to capture UFC gold when she challenges Pena at UFC 316.
The rest of the main card includes a middleweight clash between Kelvin Gastelum and Joe Pyfer, and the welterweight opener pitting Vicente Luque against Kevin Holland on June 7.
The full sequence of fights for the preliminary portions of the card is still being determined.
Confirmed UFC 316 Main Card Bouts:
- Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley
- Co-Main Event: Julianna Pena vs. Kayla Harrison
- Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer
- Mario Bautista vs. Patchy Mix
- Vicente Luque vs. Kevin Holland
