UFC 316: Dvalishvili Walkout Incident – Coach Reveals All
- Merab Dvalishvili's dominant performance at UFC 316, where he submitted Sean O'Malley, was almost overshadowed by a dangerous incident before the fight even began.
- The incident occurred as Dvalishvili, known as "The Machine," walked toward the Octagon.
- John Wood, Dvalishvili's coach, recounted the terrifying experiance.
Merab Dvalishvili’s UFC 316 walkout nearly turned disastrous, as a barrier collapsed just before his match against Sean O’Malley. This incident, detailed by his coach, highlights teh chaotic scene in Newark and the close call that could have sidelined the bantamweight contender.News Directory 3 has the exclusive story. Dvalishvili, unfazed, went on to dominate O’Malley, proving his mental fortitude. What were the details of the collapse, and how did it affect Dvalishvili’s performance? Discover what’s next for this rising star.
Merab Dvalishvili Narrowly Avoids Injury During Chaotic UFC 316 Walkout
Updated june 09, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili’s dominant performance at UFC 316, where he submitted Sean O’Malley, was almost overshadowed by a dangerous incident before the fight even began. As Dvalishvili made his way to the cage in Newark, New Jersey, a barrier collapsed under the weight of fans reaching out to him, creating a chaotic scene.
The incident occurred as Dvalishvili, known as “The Machine,” walked toward the Octagon. Fans surged toward him, and the metal barrier gave way, sending several people spilling into his path. Security quickly intervened, shielding Dvalishvili and guiding him away from the potential hazard.
John Wood, Dvalishvili’s coach, recounted the terrifying experiance. He told Submission Radio that he feared someone would be seriously hurt. Wood said Dvalishvili was pushed aside as the barrier fell, landing close to their feet. He described the moment as a “holy s— moment.”
Despite the near-disaster, Dvalishvili proceeded with the fight, delivering a stellar performance against O’Malley. However, he admitted afterward that the walkout incident had almost knocked him out. He told Bloody Elbow that he was nearly struck as people reached for him, and security had to push him against a wall.
While Joe Rogan speculated that Cory Sandhagen would be Dvalishvili’s next opponent, Dana White hinted at other possibilities during the post-fight press conference. The Merab stay in the bantamweight division continues to be one to watch.
“Oh my god, dude, we almost got crushed,” Wood told Submission Radio. “I was s——- my pants, Merab got pushed out of the way as the thing was falling over and it fell right in front of us and almost landed on our feet. There were like five fans that broke the barricade and fell over and I was looking for people being thrusted into the damn thing, it was nuts, man.”
What’s next
Following his victory and the resolution of the walkout incident, Dvalishvili is expected to recover and prepare for his next challenge in the bantamweight division. Potential opponents include Cory Sandhagen, though Dana White may have other plans for the rising star.