NEWARK, N.J. — Kayla Harrison added a prestigious UFC belt to her growing collection of championship titles, capping off her victory with a warm embrace from former President Donald Trump. Holding her newly-earned title, Harrison encountered fellow bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili backstage, fresh off his own successful defense at UFC 316.
Dvalishvili, in high spirits from maintaining his impressive 13-fight win streak, dominated in the 135-pound main event. Together, he and Harrison, each basking in their victories, shared a celebratory moment. “Congratulations, champ! Let me raise your hand,” Dvalishvili cheerily remarked, signaling a shared sense of triumph.
As Harrison relished her success, she received a quick tip from Dvalishvili on holding her UFC belt for photographs. Yet, her time as champion may face an imminent challenge. Her next opponent could be none other than former champ Amanda Nunes, eyeing a comeback from retirement.
On the same night, Dvalishvili demonstrated his prowess against Sean O’Malley by forcing a tap-out in the third round, while Harrison compelled Julianna Peña to quit barely seconds before the second round concluded. The event, held at Prudential Center, drew notable figures, including Trump and the legendary boxer Mike Tyson.
Hailing from Georgia, 34-year-old Dvalishvili seized the championship previously with a decisive, albeit unflashy, unanimous win over O’Malley the previous year. Post-defeat, O’Malley recalibrated his lifestyle, eliminating negative habits like marijuana use and opting for a more natural look, swapping his trademark colorful locks for braided brown hair.
Despite the changes, the outcome remained unchanged as Dvalishvili sustained his dominance, improving his record to 20-4. His spirited celebration saw him atop the cage, addressing the 17,343-strong crowd, savoring his standing among the UFC’s top streaks.
Only halfway through the night meant mixed results for the bantamweight champions. Harrison, initially battling significant weight-cutting challenges to reach 135 pounds, continued to cement her legacy as a formidable force in female MMA. She is no stranger to success under the spotlight.
Harrison holds the distinction of being the first American judoka to win an Olympic gold, achieving this feat at the 2012 London Games and repeating in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. She transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2018, claiming stardom with a Professional Fighters League career that included two $1 million prize championships before shifting her focus to the UFC last year. Her ascension to champion status took just three fights, now bolstering her record to an impressive 19-1.
Following her triumph, Harrison expressed her desire to face Amanda Nunes, widely recognized as one of the greatest. “I definitely want to fight Amanda. She’s the greatest of all time,” stated Harrison, aiming to claim that title for herself.
Nunes, having entered the cage at the encouragement of announcer Joe Rogan and the crowd, agreed to the showdown. She, a future UFC Hall of Famer, ignited excitement among fans alongside Harrison, pledging to uplift women’s MMA to unprecedented heights.
The crowd exploded earlier that evening when Trump made his entrance to a boisterous reception prior to the UFC pay-per-view’s commencement. Accompanied by UFC President Dana White, Trump’s presence was a notable highlight.
Before the match kicked off, Harrison mirrored her judo tradition by offering Trump a respectful bow, later concluding with a heartfelt hug. She shared photos with the former president and his group, receiving a congratulatory peck on the cheek.
Trump’s attendance had other fight-night tributes; Kevin Holland bested Vicente Luque and exchanged greetings with Trump and White, while Joe Pyfer, victorious over Kelvin Gastelum, proudly donned the American flag, lauding the presence of both the former President and Tyson.