The Prudential Center has the pleasure of hosting the next big PPV event as New Jersey fans prepare to showcase their electric atmosphere.
The last time the event was held in Newark was last year at UFC 302, where Islam Makhachev submitted Dustin Poirier late in the fifth round to remain the King of the Lightweights.
Two anticipated title fights take place in the main and co-main event of UFC 316, as well as being standout rivalries.
But something else you should keep an eye out for are these five battles, which will deliver fireworks inside the Octagon.
Kelvin Gastelum vs Joe Pyfer
A Middleweight matchup that was supposed to happen at the end of March at UFC Mexico City was rescheduled for an even bigger stage.
Gastelum and Pyfer are no strangers to giving UFC fans a wild reaction as both men share 10 fight bonuses between them.
The former Interim Middleweight title challenger has been involved in one of the most exciting wars in UFC history, going the distance with Israel Adesanya in a thrilling striking battle at UFC 236.
The action-packed contest will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year at UFC 312.
Pyfer rarely goes the distance or gets involved in back-and-forth battles, as he loves nothing more than to finish fights.
12 of his 13 victories in MMA have ended with a stoppage, nine by KO/TKO and three by submission.
Based on their last bouts, Gastelum is looking to start a winning streak after a unanimous decision win over Daniel Rodriguez at UFC Saudi Arabia, back in June 2024.
‘Bodybagz’ is also aiming to begin a triumphant run after redeeming his last defeat with a jaw-dropping first-round knockout win over Marc-Andre Barriault at UFC 303.
Both men are exceptionally well-rounded in the Octagon, meaning that we could see an entertaining contest on the feet or ground.
Vicente Luque vs Kevin Holland
You can’t argue with a UFC fight card when two UFC veterans go head-to-head, especially when they’re known for knockouts and submissions.
Luque has been a long-lasting contender in the Welterweight division and has taken on former UFC champions, including Belal Muhammad, Leon Edwards, Tyron Woodley, and Rafael Dos Anjos.
The Brazilian has a total of 20 stoppage victories in MMA and has the second most finishes in the UFC’s 170-pound division with 14.
Holland is arguably one of the most well-respected fighters in the organisation due to his activity as he competes in his 21st fight for the company since 2020.
When victorious, ‘Trailblazer’ rarely goes to the judges’ scorecards with 22 finishes out of 27 triumphs in his professional MMA career.
In terms of their last fights, ‘The Silent Assassin’ earned redemption with a submission victory in just 52 seconds at UFC 310.
The Riverside-born mixed martial artist also redeemed himself with a unanimous decision win at UFC London.
While Holland has been a contender in the Welterweight division, he looks to gain a spot back into the top 15 as Luque defends his #14 ranking.
Bruno Silva vs Joshua Van
Two promising Flyweight prospects that fans believe could be future title challengers.
Both Silva and Van sit above the top 15 in the 125-pound rankings as they look to put on a statement win in Newark, allowing them to battle a top contender in their next bout.
The two contenders share a total of 18 finishes in their MMA careers, suggesting that this fight may not go the distance.
The Brazilian was on a four-fight winning streak, which included three TKO victories and one submission.
However, ‘Bulldog’ was knocked out in his last fight at UFC Tampa by Manel Kape as he searches for a way to get back in the win column.
Van’s hype at Flyweight took a slight downturn at UFC Denver when Charles Johnson surprisingly knocked him out in the third round.
Since then, ‘The Fearless’ stands on a three-fight win streak with all of those contests ending by unanimous decision and being rather entertaining to watch.
With this encounter appearing on the featured prelim, it is hoped not to let down any of the New Jersey fans in attendance.
Azamat Murzakanov vs Brendson Ribeiro
Despite Johnny Walker being the original opponent for Murzakanov, another Brazilian steps up to the plate, and he likes to make quick work of his foes.
After a first-round TKO win, which earned him a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS), the Russian only needed three fights to become a Light Heavyweight contender.
‘The Professional’ is undefeated with 14 victories, stopping 10 of his opponents by KO/TKO, as he is a huge problem on the feet.
Ribeiro similarly entered the organisation with a first-round knockout win on DWCS, but suffered defeat in his first two UFC fights.
‘The Gorilla’ has only gone the distance once, out of his 17 wins in MMA, with 11 of his finishes ending in the first round.
Murzaknov showed what potential he has of being a future title challenger after knocking out Alonzo Menifield at UFC Abu Dhabi in his last fight. As a result, the Russian rose the 205-pound rankings to #12
The Marituba-born fighter earned his first stoppage win in the UFC in his last contest, submitting Diyar Nurgozhay with a Kimura Lock at UFC Vegas 104. Ribeiro is now on a two-fight winning streak heading into Newark.
While the Brazilian has the opportunity of entering the Light Heavyweight top 15, after taking the battle on short notice, all the pressure is on Murzakanov as he tries to defend his undefeated record and #12 contender’s spot
Quillan Salkilld vs Yanal Ashmouz
An unnoticed Lightweight bout that deserves recognition in the Early prelims, ready to provide an energetic start to UFC 316.
Salkilld and Ashmouz share two things in common: they both have the same MMA record (8-1-0) and the same number of finishes, six.
The Australian has only lost on his debut to the sport, as since then, he has been on a sensational rise, making a name for himself in Eternal MMA before competing on DWCS.
The 26-year-old can be seen as unpredictable, earning three KO/TKO triumphs and submissions, as he presents a formidable test for his opponents.
‘The Red Fox’ was undefeated when he entered the UFC, earning a shocking first-round knockout win over Sam Patterson at UFC 286, in enemy territory, on his debut with the organisation.
However, just four months later in the same arena at UFC London, the Israeli suffered his first loss by unanimous decision against Chris Duncan.
Based on their recent performances, it’s tricky to predict who could win this potential three-round war.
Salkilld made his debut for the company at UFC 312, scoring a 19-second knockout over Anshul Jubli in his home country.
Ashmouz went back to winning ways in his last fight when he went to the judges’ scorecards at UFC Vegas 97, earning a convincing unanimous decision win over Trevor Peek.
The Early Prelims are not always eye-catching for some MMA fans, but these two prospects could really make a name for themselves if they pull off a noticeable win.
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