Near-Miss Before First Strike
A flimsy guardrail gave way seconds before Merab Dvalishvili’s walkout at UFC 316, sending heavy metal plunging toward the fighter and his team.
“Holy S— Moment,” Says Wood
Coach John Wood recounted on Submission Radio how five fans tumbled through the barricade as it collapsed. “Merab got pushed out of the way just in time,” Wood admitted. “I was s—ting my pants, thinking someone was crushed.”
No Injuries, Fight Goes On
Despite the chaos, everyone escaped unharmed. Minutes later, “The Machine” returned focus to the Octagon—and submitted Sean O’Malley to cement his bantamweight legacy.
Safety Protocols in Question
This marks at least the second railing failure at a UFC event in two years, raising concerns about walkout-area security. Promoters may now face pressure to reinforce fan barriers ahead of future fight nights.
What’s Next for the Bantamweight King?
With his fourth straight emphatic win, Dvalishvili’s attention turns to potential challengers like Cory Sandhagen. But after surviving a near-disaster before the bell, even the toughest contenders may seem secondary to his coach’s lingering adrenaline rush.