As UFC 316 inches closer, anticipation is reaching a fever pitch. Predictions are flooding in from every corner of the MMA world—analysts, fans, and even fighters themselves are all weighing in. With a stacked lineup set to go down tonight at Newark’s Prudential Center, the spotlight is firmly on the headline bout. This isn’t just another rematch. For former champion Sean O’Malley, it’s a shot at redemption—a chance to reclaim the bantamweight crown.

For reigning champion Merab Dvalishvili, it’s an opportunity to cement his legacy and join UFC legends like Jon Jones and Khabib Nurmagomedov. A win would push his remarkable streak to 13 straight victories, further validating his dominance in the division.

With stakes this high, it’s no surprise the matchup has drawn widespread attention. Among the latest to share his take is former UFC lightweight champion ‘Do Bronx’. In a recent Instagram video promoting a betting app, Charles Oliveira made his prediction clear. Despite a friendly past with Sean O’Malley, he’s siding with Merab Dvalishvili to retain his title—mirroring Ilia Topuria’s recent show of support.

Speaking in Portuguese, Charles Oliveira said (translated to English),

“Hey my family, I was turning on my TV to watch UFC 316 and what did I remember? To leave a video for all of you! Remember, you must be 18 or older. Head over to the Rabbit website for my comprehensive prediction for the fight on the main card….For the main card, I’m going to stick with both champions. I will go for bantamweight Merab—that’s my prediction.”

The Brazilian’s message resonated with many fans, as Dvalishvili continues to emerge as the favorite ahead of his highly anticipated clash with Sean O’Malley. With momentum behind Merab Dvalishvili , ‘The Machine’ steps into the octagon as the underdog, facing immense pressure to reclaim his title.

Similarly, Charles Oliveira is preparing for his own moment of truth. At the end of June, during International Fight Week at UFC 317, he will face Ilia Topuria for the vacant lightweight championship—a showdown that has even caught the attention of Sean O’Malley, who shared his own thoughts on the matchup.

Sean O’Malley’s Verdict on Charles Oliveira vs. Ilia Topuria at UFC 317

At 35, Charles Oliveira, who briefly held the lightweight title, is facing what many consider his “last dance.” Determined to leave no stone unturned, ‘Do Bronx’ is preparing to take on the younger, hungrier Ilia Topuria. His aim: to become a two-time lightweight champion, joining UFC legends like BJ Penn and Sean Sherk. But his path will undoubtedly be tough. Meanwhile, former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, gearing up for his rematch against Merab Dvalishvili tonight at UFC 316, understands the pressure of chasing a title again.

Like Charles Oliveira, Sean O’Malley is striving to become a two-time champion. Aware of the high stakes, he shared his thoughts on the UFC 317 headline fight during an interview with MMA journalist Shakeil Mahjouri. ‘Suga’ said, “That’s the one where your heart’s telling you Charles, your brain says Ilia. Can’t count Charles out, Ilia’s on absolute tear. Charles does get hit, Ilia cracks. That fight I’m very excited for.”

Now, as we turn to tonight’s PPV, what’s your take on Charles Oliveira’s prediction? Do you believe Merab Dvalishvili will successfully defend his title against Sean O’Malley and extend his lead to 2-0? Share your prediction below!