Umar Nurmagomedov’s coach recently heaped praise on Merab Dvalishvili’s relentless fighting style.
“The Machine” turned in arguably the best performance of his career when it mattered most, dominating Sean O’Malley in the main event of Noche UFC 306 last weekend at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, to claim the 135-pound title.
The bout played out precisely as many experts had foreseen, with Dvalishvili applying relentless aggression from the opening bell to the final horn. His barrage of takedowns and commanding grappling exchanges completely neutralized O’Malley’s striking arsenal.
Dvalishvili was all gas, no brakes, taking “Suga” down at will and dictating the pace for the majority of the contest. By the end, the victor was clear, with Dvalishvili claiming UFC gold via a decisive unanimous decision from the judges.
An impressive performance on the biggest stage of them all 😮💨@MerabDvalishvil is the NEW bantamweight champion of the world 👏
Mendez Foresees How Potential Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov Clash Would Play Out
During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Mendez was asked to weigh in on how a potential title showdown between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov might unfold. The renowned MMA coach lauded ‘The Machine’s’ incredible cardio, predicting that the reigning champion would present a formidable challenge for his protégé. However, he noted that the Dagestani has certain advantages that could shift the momentum in his direction.
“It’s going to be fought on the standup, it’s going to be fought on the ground,” Mendez said. “I believe we’re sharper on the stand-up. I believe we’re sharper on the ground. I believe what he has is incredible cardio, and that’s a big part that’s to his advantage. I don’t know of anybody in the bantamweight division that has that kind of advantage. He’s got incredible cardio, so if you’re going to go with him and it’s going to go five rounds, you’ve got to be prepared to go five hard first rounds because that’s what this guy is all about. He’s got an incredible gas tank; he kind of reminds me of Cain Velasquez in the bantamweight division.”
Mendez went on to reveal that Nurmagomedov is poised to be the next challenger for Dvalishvili’s title. According to him, discussions for the potential showdown are already underway, though he expressed some uncertainty about how things will unfold in the near future.
“As far as I know, it [the fight] is being offered. It’s just a matter of whether they can work out the deal. You never know what’s going on behind the scenes, right? So even though I’m telling you this, it may be something else. I do know that we are supposed to be the next challengers after this [Noche UFC 306]. That’s why he [Nurmagomedov] was there. Why did they show him as the next challenger for the title? Why did Joe Rogan even bring it up if they weren’t trying to build up the next fight? It’s the next fight. Now, will it happen? Let’s see.”
Nurmagomedov is riding a six-fight undefeated streak in the Octagon and is fresh off a commanding unanimous decision victory over Cory Sandhagen in the main event of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi this past August.
Following his bantamweight title win in the main event of UFC 306, the promotion was clearly looking to set Merab Dvalishvili up for his first title defense.
Joe Rogan asked the new champion what he thought about the match-up with Umar Nurmagomedov, which is likely next for him.
Despite the broadcast capturing Nurmagomedov’s reaction live from the Sphere, Dvalishvili didn’t answer the question that had been posed to him.
Kamaru Usman Advises Merab Dvalishvili To Face Umar Nurmagomedov Challenge Head-On
In an interview with Dvalishvili on the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Kamaru Usman had offered some words of advice to the title challenger before UFC 306 got underway.
During his post-event recap alongside Henry Cejudo, Usman once again stressed why he thinks that Dvalishvili should be pushing for this fight.
Having already made the case that it’s the biggest fight out there for him right now, Usman also believes that this kind of challenge could elevate the new champion.
Every great fighter needs great rivals to push themselves further than before and “The Nigerian Nightmare” believes that Nurmagomedov offers that.
He referenced his own welterweight title reign and how his two tough fights against Colby Covington were highly significant moments in his career that helped take him to another level in terms of popularity and influence within the organisation.
“Merab is not afraid but I know he’s worried about a guy like Umar and sometimes those are the guys that really put you on that next level. Merab might come out there and look like freaking the best we’ve ever seen. So you, and I needed that dance partner. Colby Covington gave me that and so that’s what Merab, at this point, I think if I had any advice for Merab, it’s too embrace that. It’s too embrace that. You’re right, when they did ask him that question, he kinda danced around it.”
O’Malley did have some success with his striking, especially in the final moments of the fight but he wasn’t able to catch Dvalishvili in the same way that he was able to his teammate, Aljamain Sterling.
The “Funkmaster” has openly admitted that he made some crucial mistakes in that fight back at UFC 292 that as we saw this past weekend, could have been very different if Sterling had more effectively closed the gap on his opponent.
Henry Cejudo Reviews Sean O’Malley’s Performance At UFC 306
On a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, former bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo weighed in with his thoughts on the fight.
Having faced both Sterling and Dvalishvili in the past, Cejudo felt that the challenger would be too much for O’Malley over five rounds.
He also believes that O’Malley’s title back at UFC 292 was a “fluke” after he was able to stop Sterling without really having his grappling game put to the test.
Cejudo made reference to how he was able to put up a better fight against Dvalishvili at UFC 298, where he lost via unanimous decision.
“What can I say? I predicted these things. Sean is not accustomed to going five rounds and he is no accustomed to people on his legs and I just felt like, I still go back and say hey, that fight with Aljamain Sterling, that was a fluke too. Aljamain was still in that fight and people thought I was just hating. It’s like no, I’ve been in there with Merab, I did a whole lot better than Sean did when I fought Merab. I mean I took down Merab, like Merab is lucky that I had that groin injury.”
Merab Dvalishvili captured the UFC bantamweight championship at Noche UFC 306, and while it was a dominant performance, it also came with one of the most bizarre openings to a fight in recent memory.
In the opening seconds, Dvalishvili could be seen mouthing off, but it wasn’t to opponent O’Malley. Rather, the Georgian challenger appeared to be in an argument with the champion’s corner, particularly his coach Tim Welch.
Referee Herb Dean brought a swift halt to the bout to warn Dvalishvili for talking to O’Malley’s corner. Dean also gave a warning to Welch for what commentators referred to as “excessive coaching.” Dean would warn O’Malley’s corner later on in the fight.
The bizarre nature of the pause left many fans confused and looking for clarification. This came especially when the UFC commentary team mentioned that O’Malley’s corner may have initiated the conversation with the title challenger.
On social media the following day, Welch provided clarification on what he was saying.
i said be patient merab, but congrats he fought a great fight
Tim Welch Reveals What He Told Merab Dvalishvili, Tips His Cap To The New Bantamweight Champion
This is not the first time O’Malley’s corner has been at the center of controversy for talking with a fighter.
As shown by the UFC documentary on Roku earlier this year, O’Malley’s corner appeared to communicate with Aljamain Sterling when O’Malley challenged him for the bantamweight title in the main event of UFC 292. “Sugar” to connect with Sterling not long after and finished the fight from there.
On this occasion, O’Malley struggled with the grappling expertise of Dvalishvili, Sterling’s friend and teammate, as he was taken down several times and nearly submitted in a unanimous decision.
O’Malley had successfully defended the title just once, defeating longtime rival Marlon “Chito” Vera at UFC 299.
Dvalishvili, meanwhile, has now won 11 straight fights inside the Octagon.
It would not be far off to say that the performance of Sean O’Malley at Noche UFC (UFC 306) was perhaps the worst he’s ever had in the Octagon — and it ultimately cost him the UFC bantamweight championship.
O’Malley appeared to struggle with the pressure and takedowns brought on by Merab Dvalishvili as the two faced off in the main event at the Sphere. Though “Suga” gave the Georgian some trouble in the fight’s final round, Dvalishvili ended up scoring a unanimous decision to win the title.
Not long after the loss, O’Malley made a brief statement on social media, noting the disappointment left in his performance and the result.
“Over promised under delivered. Sorry. Love you guys,” O’Malley wrote.
Over promised under delivered. Sorry. Love you guys.
Sean O’Malley Admits Bad Night, Dana White Says He Looked ‘Flat’
Though there were bizarre circumstances at the start of the fight, the opening rounds saw Dvalishvili make a statement with several takedowns and a couple of guillotine attempts that troubled O’Malley. The defending champ landed the fight’s strongest strikes toward the end of the third round, but that was after another four minutes of grappling masterclass from the Georgian.
Several front kicks to the midsection left Dvalishvili hurt and in danger in the fifth round, but O’Malley did not turn up the intensity, and it was too little, too late.
Even UFC CEO Dana White noted the poor performance from O’Malley, saying he looked “flat.”
“He didn’t look sharp. He didn’t look crisp,” White said at the UFC 306 post-fight press conference.
Dvalishvili has now won 11 straight fights after dropping his first two Octagon outings. He also gained an ounce of revenge for his teammate and good friend Aljamain Sterling, who O’Malley knocked out at UFC 292 to capture the bantamweight gold.
O’Malley retained the title once, defeating Marlon “Chito” Vera at UFC 299 in March.
On Saturday night, the mixed martial arts leader returned for its latest pay-per-view event.
Noche UFC… I mean UFC 306… I mean Riyadh Season Noche UFC — that’s far too much choice for my brain to handle — was no ordinary MMA card. It was the very first live sporting event to take place inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere.
Dana White’s initial anger at the MGM for not alerting him to the PBC’s quick claim to the September 14 date to stage an always highly anticipated Canelo Álvarez outing birthed a new opportunity. The chance to put on an elaborate and expensive spectacle. The possibility to move beyond the arena setup we’re used to.
With great risk comes great reward. But with great superlatives — and boy did White and other UFC figures throw them around when describing what fans could expect — comes pressure to deliver.
Did they? More on that later.
Tasked with delivering in a different realm of entertainment were the fighters themselves, chief among them the four athletes entering the Octagon with gold on the line. The main event saw Sean O’Malley defend his belt against Merab Dvalishvili in a clash I’d have comfortably placed as the toughest to predict in 2024 in the lead-up. Oh, and the second toughest to predict came right beforehand as flyweight queen Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko completed their historic trilogy.
Elsewhere, the hottest rising name in the game Diego Lopes had his chance to climb into the featherweight top five against Brian Ortega, while Mexican standouts Daniel Zellhuber and Ronaldo Rodriguez looked to celebrate their nation’s independence in style.
But did all those names — and the $20 million Sphere show — come together to put on an exciting night of fights? Let’s find out with all the positives and negatives from Noche UFC 306.
Is getting value for money just not a thing in North America?
Best believe that if I’m spending thousands on cageside tickets to a UFC event (probably should have chosen a career other than MMA writer…), I’m not missing a punch, kick, eye poke, low blow, stance switch or damn syllable that comes out of Bruce Buffer’s mouth.
It seems my fellow Europeans largely feel the same. It is rare to see a super empty venue upon the start of any preliminary card on this side of the pond. In the US, however, it seems to be the opposite. Countless T-Mobile Arena-held PPVs have shown that even the top lineups and spectacles don’t draw those affluent enough for the top seats to the venue on time.
But for the very first live sporting event at the Sphere, that was bound to change. Right? RIGHT?! Miraculously, no. We had the usual selection of absent attendees.
Is it really too much to ask for fighting events to be watched by people who actually like and are there for fighting? Can we not have some sort of 20-question quiz to weed out the fakes? Perhaps that would have given the opening fight of Noche UFC 306 less of an Apex feel to it.
Some empty seats probably didn’t warrant a full negative here, I admit. But it pissed me off and, well, this is my editorial, so that’s that.
The talk of Las Vegas for the past week has been the famed Mexican fighting spirit and toughness. We didn’t get a strong display of that in fight one at Noche UFC 306, but boy did we in the second.
Mexicali’s Edgar Cháirez may not have had many bouts in the UFC, but he’s done his nation proud plenty of times. From going toe-to-toe with the undefeated Tatsuro Taira in defeat on just two weeks’ notice to a first-round triangle choke submission against Daniel Lacerda, “Puro Chicali’s” Octagon fights (no contest aside) haven’t been short on highlights.
Well, we can add the best yet to that after Saturday night. In fact, we can add one of the best highlights of 2024 to the end-of-year reels.
The Mexican produced that in his clash with Joshua Van inside the Sphere. Cháirez found himself in all sorts of trouble midway through round two when he was badly hurt to the liver and the victim of an absolute onslaught of hooks and uppecuts.
As he turned his back against the cage, Mark Smith looked a second away from stepping in. What happened next defied any and all expectation, as “Puro Chicali” uncorked a spinning backfist to rock Van and turn the tables.
Unfortunately for Cháirez, that moment of success wasn’t enough to carry him to victory on the scorecards. But when it comes to the “fight like a Mexican” saying, he fulfilled that and then some to bring some momentum back to the Sphere show alongside an impressive Van.
We completed the trifecta of snoozefest, barnburner, and finish in the opening three fights of the night at Noche UFC 306. And when it comes to the first stoppage inside the Sphere, it was certainly worth the brief wait.
Ketlen Souza continued the trend set by Cháirez and Van by delivering utter violence. Poor Yazmin Jauregui essentially fell to both a knockout and a submission, first being flattened after falling on the much worse side of an exchange of left hooks.
As the Mexican barely woke back up and was probably filled with confusion about the spherical building she found herself in, her Brazilian counterpart met her on the ground, locked in a rear-naked choke, and rendered her unconscious again.
As far as the first finish to take place inside the Sphere, Souza couldn’t have delivered much better.
Souza definitely held on for an extra second, and that is not good to see. We’ve certainly seen more egregious instances of athletes not releasing submissions, but that doesn’t make the Brazilian’s decision to keep choking an unconscious opponent for longer than required any less disappointing.
Positive – A Mexican Warrior
This is the second positive that focuses on a losing Mexican. While a number of results went against the nation on Saturday’s preliminary card, the likes of Cháirez and Irene Aldana did not go down without a fight.
Off the top of my head, it’s certainly up there. But the former title challenger was not deterred, continuing her immense forward pressure through punches coming back her way that no doubt turned he cut from a bad blemish to a gaping wound in the final frame. Aldana’s commitment to throwing the kitchen sink in pursuit of a finish even saw her using her shirt as a blood towel in-between charges forward.
Aldana may not have gotten the result she wanted, but you won’t see many displays of toughness like that. And for that to come after a Fight of the Year contender in 2023, the Mexican is on a bloody run of brutality.
Of course, this fight wouldn’t have been a positive overall without the input of Norma Dumont, who showed her talents fighting off the back foot to actually outbox a boxing specialist in Aldana.
Her performance was impressive, and provided that her weight issues are a thing of the past, the Brazilian is well and truly in title contention at 135 pounds.
Positive – THAT’S How You Open
Raul Rosas Jr. did not really get the memo on what was required to enter bonus contention at the Sphere — or how to open the card at such a special event. Ronaldo Rodriguez and Ode’ Osbourne did.
Saturday’s prelims were strong aside from the dud of a first bout, which was quick to kill the immediate momentum that existed thanks to the intrigue surrounding the Sphere. But when it came to the PPV opener, Rodriguez and Osbourne put on a flyweight firecracker (yes alliteration was taught in junior school, and no, I won’t abandon it as I near 26) that only added to the occasion after the opening two chapters of “For Mexico, For All Time.”
Rodriguez was almost left with egg on his face after his confident walkout and in-cage dancing were quickly followed by a vicious right hand by “The Jamaican Sensation” that appeared set to see the Mexican finished in one round.
Somehow, someway, Rodriguez survived. And more than that, he went about delivering offense of his own en route to taking rounds two and three for the victory on the judges’ scorecards.
I really do hate having to include judging in the negative column because I’d like to avoid re-enforcing people’s often warped view of the scoring criteria and what constitutes a ‘robbery’.
But this can’t be ignored.
Two judges scored the main card opener 29-27 for Rodriguez, granting him a 10-8 in round two. The idea that the Mexican did enough for that and Osbourne didn’t in the first stanza is ludicrous.
The culprits? No prizes for correctly guessing Adalaide Byrd, who evidently has the job security of a worker walking in on their boss cheating on his wife with his assistant to still be judging at the highest level. She joined Ron McCarthy in turning in a real puzzler.
It would have been nice to emerge from such an incredible fight without a judging controversy. But nice things are difficult to come by in MMA.
#UFC306 Official Scorecard: Ronaldo Rodriguez vs Ode Osbourne
Whether down to the magnitude of the event — Sphere debut, Mexican Independence Day celebration, and all that jazz — or simply the fighters put on the lineup by the UFC, the sheer number of matchups that delivered fireworks on Saturday night was obscene.
The battle to secure Fight of the Night honors was already three contenders deep when Daniel Zellhuber and Esteban Ribovics entered the Octagon. They stole it in emphatic fashion and have likely left themselves as the current leaders in the race for 2024’s Fight of the Year.
The star of the show was round three, which began with the Mexican dropping his Argentine foe with a brutal elbow, transitioned to Ribovics pursuing a finish after putting Zellhuber on wobbly legs, and ended with both men trading bombs to the horn.
The fight was utter insanity and, incredibly, once again marked an instance of a Mexican displaying immense toughness and resolve but ultimately falling short when it came to the decision.
But since then, Lopes has continued to impress more and more with each outing. And after doing so with his game attitude against same-day opponent Dan Ige in late June, the up-and-comer let his incredible skills do the talking inside the Sphere, first by dropping “T-City” early and then by dominating the remainder of the contest.
Does Lopes beat champion Ilia Topuria or UFC 308 challenger Max Holloway? Anything can happen, but I don’t think so. But will he give us an entertaining title fight against either man? Absolutely.
The champion may well have been fortunate to escape last year’s Mexican Independence Day celebration with the title still in her possession, but that fight was the furthest thing from the shutout “Bullet” pitched inside the Sphere.
The main negative here is Grasso’s performance, which peaked at some submission attempts that were never really close to putting Shevchenko in too much trouble. And when it came to altering the course of the fight, not much of use came out of the Mexican’s corner, who appeared resigned to simply urging the champ to strike as if she was choosing for the bout to hit the mat.
Shevchenko’s performance was smart and unwavering, and does not contribute to this negative. But after a thrilling main card up to that point — and the expectation of a highly competitive clash — the first women’s trilogy in UFC history was a complete disappointment.
First and foremost were some strange antics from Merab Dvalishvili, who spent the opening seconds screaming at Sean O’Malley’s corner, where Tim Welch was evidently up to his old tricks again. Referee Herb Dean warned him for “excessive coaching.” Does ‘attempting to trick the opposition fighter’ really fall into that bracket? Also, what could have come from said warning should it have been ignored? Are we talking a WWE-style banishment to the back for the coach?
Speaking of Herb…
What on Earth was going through his head toward the end? The veteran official was throwing around some misplaced “keep working” comments during grappling exchanges but it was the final seconds when he went utterly mad, urging the pair to “work” as Dvalishvili circled to protect his guaranteed title win. When did referees’ job description include ‘try to force athletes into a Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje ending’?
Dvalishvili deserves credit for an impressive display of dominance. Wow is he relentless, and wow is his cardio legendary. But when the main talking points from a pay-per-view main event don’t include the fight itself, it has to go into the negative column.
ELEVEN IN A ROW FOR THE MACHINE@MerabDvalishvil is taking home bantamweight GOLD tonight!
It would be remiss of me not to conclude this by commenting on what was, let’s be honest, the main show.
It’s important to note the sheer number of prominent fans and pundits online who decided the Sphere experiment was a failure within five minutes of the prelims. Not only had we been told to expect the big stuff during the main card, but did they really expect one of the card’s main drawing points to be revealed prior to the pay-per-view? For free?!
I have my fair share of criticism for the UFC, but anyone who gave their review of the Sphere’s use on Saturday night during the opening fights was simply always going to be negative about the experience whatever they witnessed.
Sure, things started off slowly, but the increasing spectacle built anticipation heading into the PPV main card, and then things well and truly picked up. While I had little doubt that things would be impressive in-person, I was skeptical about the extent to which the experience would translate to television.
How did it translate? Well, very well.
Even on a desktop screen, the 90-second films had the kind of trippy effect I imagine those in attendance felt (amplified, of course). And the ‘worlds’ that the arena transformed into for each fight were spectacular. The final film wasn’t the strongest and felt like a slightly anticlimactic end, but that by no means takes away from the overall show.
And a word on the ring girls, whose attire matched each chapter of the main card film and provided a fantastic aesthetic. All eyes were on the Sphere, but small details like the selection of ring girls and their elaborate clothing made this even feel even grander.
Now, if you showed me the event without any knowledge of the cost that White and co. have long discussed and told me what we saw was the result of $20 million investment, I’d be shocked. But I admit to being out of the loop when it comes to the price of technology like this, and MMA media doesn’t pay well enough for me to have any grasp of what would be worth $20 million.
The other point to highlight is the UFC CEO’s pre-event remarks, which honestly set the bar to an unattainable level. The event was unbelievable, and I was in awe of the visuals in a way I never have been before when watching a sporting event. In that regard, mission accomplished for the UFC.
But I can’t help feeling the overall consensus would have been stronger had White not spent months on a tour of superlatives that only widened the chance for some detractors to feel underwhelmed.
In a fight that will definitely go down as one of the weirdest title fights in UFC history, Merab Dvalishvili gains revenge on behalf of his team and secures the UFC bantamweight championship, defeating Sean O’Malley in the main event of UFC 306: Noche UFC.
After a start that saw Dvalishvili and O’Malley’s corner be warned for verbally sparring with one another during the fight’s opening seconds, Dvalishvili had a strong performance in the first, thanks to a couple of takedowns and a guillotine choke attempt.
Dvalishvili continued his dominance in the second round, scoring a couple more takedowns and rode it out in top position. Dvalishvili had another choke attempt in the second round’s closing seconds when more bizarreness unfolded. The Georgian kissed O’Malley’s back, causing O’Malley to fire off a punch to the back of Dvalishvili’s head before the end of the round.
The third round proved to be more even, with Dvalishvili continuing to find success on the ground, but O’Malley delivering the fight’s strongest strikes in the final minute of the round. Dvalishvili needed just a minute or so in the fourth round to score another takedown, working over O’Malley in top position and continuing to pummel to keep control of the defending champion.
Even with O’Malley stuffing takedown attempts in the latter rounds, Dvalishvili was dominant when he got on top. Dvalishvili even rocked O’Malley in the closing seconds of the fourth round — a round in which he completely outlanded O’Malley by approximately 60 punches.
Dvalishvili looked to stay on the outside in the fifth round but had to deal with damaging front kicks from O’Malley. Dvalishvili, however, managed to survive the round and landed two additional takedowns.
One judge scored the fight 49-46 and the other two 48-47, all in Dvalishvili’s favor.
Merab Dvalishvili Captures Bantamweight Championship With Strong Decision Win Over Sean O’Malley
20 mil to watch 2 wrestling matches is crazy 😂😂😂 #UFC306#UFCNoche
Dvalishvili has now 11 straight wins after dropping his initial two in the Octagon, coming into the UFC off Dana White: Looking for a Fight.
O’Malley suffers the second loss of his MMA career. O’Malley won the championship with a knockout of Aljamain Sterling – Dvalishvili’s friend and teammate – at UFC 292. O’Malley retained the title against Marlon “Chito” Vera at UFC 299 in a rematch from O’Malley’s first UFC loss.
Noche UFC (UFC 306) took place tonight from the Sphere in Las Vegas, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!
In the main event, Sean O’Malley put his bantamweight title on the line against Merab Dvalishvili. While in the co-main event, Alexa Grasso looked to defend her flyweight title in a trilogy bout with former champ Valentina Shevchenko.
Noche UFC 306 Results:Main Card
Bantamweight Championship Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili def. Sean O’Malley via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47×2)
Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili will fight for the UFC bantamweight championship at UFC 306 in The Sphere, Las Vegas. The title fight is predicted to go either way because both fighters boast contrasting yet very effective styles.
However, the bantamweight division has been so stacked lately that a couple of strong contenders are already waiting for the winner. Former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo is riding a three-fight win streak since moving up and Umar Nurmagomedov has solidified his claim as well with a win over Cory Sandhagen.
Despite no official confirmation, Chael Sonnen believes that Nurmagomedov is indeed the next title contender in UFC’s bantamweight division. He’s also predicted the perfect way to announce the new challenger at UFC 306 itself…
Chael Sonnen Looks Forward To Umar Nurmagomedov Facing Winner Of Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili
On his official YouTube channel, Sonnen revealed that he ran into Nurmagomedov at The Sphere which he doesn’t think of as a coincidence. Instead, the UFC veteran predicts that the no. 2 ranked bantamweight will be seated in the front rows to appear instantly in the Octagon after the main event ends.
“The American Gangster” stated that the UFC would either have Joe Rogan announce Nurmagomedov’s title shot or he would get a proper face-off with the champ inside the ‘Octagon.
“I’m not having the debate of does he deserve it. I’m not having the debate of 18 straight, four years in the company, six in the Octagon, six wins straight. I’m not having that debate. I fully understand he could be number one contender. What I’m sharing for you, if he’s here, and they plan to put him in the front row to potentially, whether it’s a cameo for an announcement that maybe say Joe Rogan will make or it’s an organic face off. He gets in the ring and he goes nose to nose with either Merab or Sean.”
Sonnen then talked about O’Malley and Dvalishvili having contrasting takes on the next title challenger in their division. Dvalishvili thinks Figueiredo’s wins over a former champ and a title challenger make him more deserving of a shot. On the other end, O’Malley seems to have accepted the Russian’s title shot following his win over Sandhagen.
All of this would naturally not matter if Sonnen’s prediction is true. He strongly believes that the undefeated Dagestani prospect is attending the live event only to help the UFC announce the next bantamweight title fight.
It is worth noting that Sonnen doesn’t believe Figueiredo doesn’t deserve to fight for the title yet. He just sees Nurmagomedov as a bigger draw because of his last win and his training family which comprises Khabib Nurmagomedov, Usman Nurmagomedov, and Islam Makhachev, among other dominant fighters.
Read More: Coach Claims Ilia Topuria Is A More Favorable Matchup For Sean O’Malley Than Max Holloway: ‘He’s Pretty Flat-Footed’
With a remarkable 10-fight winning streak under his belt, Dvalishvili has been relentlessly pushing for a long-overdue title opportunity. However, O’Malley chose to defend his belt against Marlon Vera at UFC 299 this past March, successfully avenging the only blemish on his otherwise stellar UFC record.
The 33-year-old Georgian enters the bout riding high after a commanding unanimous decision victory over former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo at UFC 298 in February. Dvalishvili’s unbeaten streak boasts decisive wins over elite competition, including former champions Petr Yan and José Aldo, as well as a host of other top-tier opponents.
Dvalishvili has undeniably toiled tirelessly for his long-awaited title shot, and now he’s primed to prove his mettle on one of the sport’s grandest stages. ‘The Machine’ is more determined than ever to clinch the 135-pound belt…
Dvalishvili Says He’ll Feel ‘Relieved’ After Dethroning O’Malley At Noche UFC 306
During a recent interview with Bleacher Report, “The Machine” gave his insights into the upcoming title clash with O’Malley at Noche UFC 306.
Dvalishvili opened up about the significance of becoming a UFC champion, a status he says he has diligently worked towards throughout his career.
“We [fighters] have just one dream: to become UFC champion,” Dvalishvili said. “After that, I’m really, truly telling you, if I die, I don’t care. I cannot even imagine [having the belt put on me], man. I just want to feel the reality. I am doing everything for that. I don’t wanna even dream about it.”
Dvalishvili also mentioned that he’s uncertain about his plans following a potential title victory this weekend, but he’s certain it would lift a significant weight off his shoulders. He expressed a desire to show that even an ordinary person can achieve their dreams through unwavering dedication and relentless hard work.
“I don’t know what I’m gonna say, I don’t know what I’m gonna do, but I know one thing for sure: I will be so happy, so relieved, and I know I will do lots of great things with the gold and with the UFC belt,” Dvalishvili continued. “I want to travel the world, and I wanna show the people I’m just a normal guy, a small guy, but I’m hardworking, and if I work hard and I got this belt, you guys can get everything too. Just work hard and just chase your dream. Believe in yourself.”
After unseating Aljamain Sterling in August 2023 and withstanding a challenge from Marlon Vera in Miami this past March, “Sugar” is next tasked with stalling the championship ambitions of Merab Dvalishvili to continue his reign atop the 135-pound mountain.
The celebration of Mexican Independence Day will also see the nation’s own champion in action, with Alexa Grasso set to defend her flyweight gold in a trilogy contest opposite Valentina Shevchenko.
Ahead of the event, all 20 fighters successfully made weight. With that, every fight has remained intact, and all that remains on Friday night is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC 306 ceremonial weigh-ins!
Check out a live stream via the official UFC YouTube channel below, commencing at 10 p.m. ET.
Sean O’Malley recently asserted that after Ilia Topuria’s upcoming clash with Max Holloway, the only clear course for “El Matador” is a showdown with him.
Topuria is gearing up to defend his featherweight crown for the first time in a highly anticipated clash against Holloway, headlining UFC 308 on October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
“Suga” has been zeroing in on Topuria ever since retaining his bantamweight title against former foe Marlon Vera at UFC 299 this past March. Following his victory, O’Malley wasted no time in calling out the Georgian-Spanish fighter, even trading jabs with him on social media and igniting talk of a potential champ vs. champ super fight.
However, before O’Malley can lock horns with Topuria, he must first overcome another Georgian obstacle — Merab Dvalishvili.
The 29-year-old Montana native is set to put his title on the line against “The Machine’ in the headlining bout of Noche UFC 306, taking place this Saturday inside the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“The more I think about the Ilia fight, I’m like, you know what, Ilia needs me,” O’Malley said. “Who’s he going to fight next? [If] he goes out there and beats Max [Holloway at UFC 308], who is he going to fight next? I have guys lined up. I have big fights. Ilia needs me more than I need Ilia.”
However, “Suga” voiced some hesitation, suggesting that he doubts Topuria will even make it past “Blessed” at UFC 308.
“To be honest, I don’t think he’s gonna get past Max anyway, so I’m kind of switching gears from that. We got guys like Umar that I think are going to be massive fights,” O’Malley added.”
Although Topuria, who knocked out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 to capture the 145-pound title, has never openly entertained the idea of facing O’Malley, he didn’t entirely dismiss it.
After O’Malley called him out following UFC 299, “El Matador” left the door open for a potential showdown, fueling further speculation about a future clash.
Suga, congrats.. Was a beautiful performance! There is a fight chasing you with Merab.. Get that done first .
In the champion Sean O’Malley, you have an incredibly dangerous striker who is always calm under pressure and reads fights incredible well. Merab Dvalishvili, meanwhile, is a perfect counter part to that and swaps aesthetically pleasing offense for an unbreakable will and never-ending gas tank, which he uses to overwhelm opponents from bell to bell.
In many ways, the two men are the perfect counter to one another and that provides the question: who will be able to implement their specific skillset the best?
This clash of styles that goes back to the earliest days of mixed martial arts is something that John Kavanagh referenced when weighing in with his thoughts.
John Kavanagh Breaks Down UFC 306 Main Event, Picks His Winner
Speaking to Lucky Block in a recent interview, the head coach of Conor McGregor described the upcoming bantamweight title fight as a “throwback.”
Both O’Malley and Dvalishvili are capable in all areas but there’s no denying where they are at their best, which just so happens to be their opponent’s kryptonite in this fight.
“I’m really, I’m really looking forward to that. In MMA today it’s usually two guys that are quite well skilled everywhere. And this one I feel is a bit of a throwback to when you’ve somebody very skilled in striking versus somebody very skilled in grappling, so the classic striker versus grappler. If Merab is unable to close that distance, he’s going to be in a lot of trouble. If Merab can close that distance and start chaining his takedowns together, he’s got the most incredible gas tank. He just goes and goes and goes. If he’s able to get attached, Sean’s in a lot of trouble. So it’s a very interesting fight for me as a fan and as a coach.”
Kavanagh followed up his thoughts on the matchup by giving his prediction for the fight, leaning toward the belt staying in O’Malley’s possession thanks to his lethal striking.
“If you were to put a gun to my head for a prediction, I do think Sean will catch him. He’s such a sharp shooter. He’s got fantastic striking and I could see him landing some of those big stray shots. He has a win over Merab’s teammate Aljamain Sterling so I’m sure that Aljamain is helping out Merab a lot in the preparation for this but Sean is on a real run at the moment and I could just see him getting that finish.”
Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley, who is tasked with getting the better of the surging Merab Dvalishvili if he’s to record a second successful title defense and stall the Georgian’s bid to exact revenge for his teammate Aljamain Sterling’s loss to “Sugar” last year.
Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see Alexa Grasso making a defense of her flyweight gold at the Mexican Independence Day celebration for the second straight year. After her Noche UFC headline rematch with Valentina Shevchenko ended in a draw in 2023, the pair will complete their trilogy inside the Sphere after coaching opposite one another on this year’s edition of The Ultimate Fighter.
Also set to make the walk on Saturday night will be the likes of featherweight fan favorite Diego Lopes, former 135-pound title challenger Irene Aldana, and highly touted youngster Raul Rosas Jr.
Ahead of the event, you can get some help from the group of experts at MMA News by checking out their predictions for the Noche UFC 306 main card here.
Noche UFC 306: O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili Betting Odds
Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 306 (as of 9/13), courtesy of DraftKings.
Main Card:
Sean O’Malley (-125) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (+105)
Alexa Grasso (-130) vs. Valentina Shevchenko (+110)
Brian Ortega (+164) vs. Diego Lopes (-198)
Daniel Zellhuber (-230) vs. Esteban Ribovics (+190)
Ronaldo Rodriguez (-155) vs. Ode’ Osbourne (+130)
Preliminary Card:
Irena Aldana (-115) vs. Norma Dumont (-105)
Manuel Torres (-135) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (+114)
Tasked with aiding in an unforgettable night are a pair of championship headliners, the second of which will see bantamweight kingpin Sean O’Malley top the lineup in defense of his gold against the in-form Merab Dvalishvili.
The Mexican Independence Day celebration will also see one of the country’s own defending her title, with Alexa Grasso completing her trilogy with all-time great Valentina Shevchenko in the co-main event.
Elsewhere, fast-rising featherweight fan favorite Diego Lopes and former two-time title challenger Brian Ortega give their matchup a second go, while the likes of Irene Aldana and Raul Rosas Jr. also take to the cage.
Noche UFC 306: O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili Weigh-In Results
Noche UFC 306 takes place Saturday, September 14 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT.
See above for a replay of the Noche UFC 306 weigh-ins via MMA Fighting, and check out the full results below!
Main Card:
Bantamweight Championship Main Event: Sean O’Malley (135lbs) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (134lbs)
Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is high on the striking of Sean O’Malley, and he thinks Merab Dvalishvili will be in trouble if he finds himself in front of it for too long.
Two pieces of gold will be on the line, with O’Malley’s second defense of the bantamweight title set to follow the trilogy fight between flyweight elites Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko.
“The Last Stylebender” paid close attention to the headliner, assessing how the champ will handle a smothering grappling style from the challenger that he branded similar to that of the great Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Despite high praise for Dvalishvili, however, Adesanya is backing O’Malley to find the knockout blow as the Georgian enters range in pursuit of a takedown.
“Aljo (Aljamain Sterling) couldn’t get him down, and Aljo trains with Merab. I’m sure Merab might get him down, but Sean will probably get back up. And if he (Dvalishvili) doesn’t get him down, he’s in trouble,” Adesanya said. “Styles make fights. Merab’s style is not Aljamain’s style. When we trained together, he had a different pace, cardio, and different energy as well. … Sean can fight. I’ve seen him in round four, round five look clean. But Merab is like, Khabib-esque. He’s a mauler.
“While Sean’s finding his groove, Merab’s gonna put it on him and just try to take him down. If he gets him down, it’ll be just when Sean gets tired,” Adesanya continued. “When you know someone is coming for a takedown constantly, you can find it, you can find the shot, and Sean can find the shot. … Yeah, I’m gonna go Sean by TKO.”
O’Malley will look to prove Adesanya’s prediction correct come fight night in Las Vegas by sending Dvalishvili to the same fate as teammate Sterling fell to in August 2023.
We’re deep into Noche UFC (UFC 306) fight week, meaning it was recently time for the fighters set to be in action on September 14 to take to the stage and answer some questions.
Setting the stage for the headliners will be another title fight, with reigning flyweight queen Alexa Grasso looking to record a second victory over the great Valentina Shevchenko in their trilogy, which comes after their rematch ended in a draw at last year’s inaugural Noche UFC event.
As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes took to the stage on Thursday for the pre-fight press conference. The Noche UFC edition saw every fighter set to make the walk inside the Sphere in two days’ time with mic in hand.
Check out a replay of the presser below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel, followed by all the highlights and faceoffs.
Noche UFC 306 Pre-Fight Press Conference Stream
Noche UFC 306 Press Conference Highlights
"Dreams come true!"@MerabDvalishvil has been waiting a long time to fight for the belt 👊
Belal Muhammad recently had a change of heart regarding his pick for the Noche UFC 306 main event.
O’Malley is poised to put his UFC bantamweight title on the line against Dvalishvili in the headlining bout of one of the year’s most anticipated pay-per-view events, set to take place at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, this Saturday.
Meanwhile, Dvalishvili rides an impressive 10-fight win streak, boasting wins over former champions such as Petr Yan and Jose Aldo. “The Machine” had been campaigning for a title shot for some time, and his wish was finally granted after a commanding victory over former two-division titleholder Henry Cejudo at UFC 298 this past February.
Initially, the defending champion was labeled as the underdog against Dvalishvili, but as fight week unfolded, the tides shifted, and O’Malley emerged as the betting favorite for various reasons.
Likewise, “Remember the Name” has also experienced a shift in perspective, now leaning towards a different pick for the upcoming showdown…
Muhammad Revises His Pick for O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili Showdown
During a recent interview with MMA legend Demetrious Johnson, Muhammad weighed in on the O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili title fight. The newly crowned UFC welterweight champion admitted that just a month ago, he believed “The Machine” had what it took to dethrone O’Malley.
However, after some reflection, he’s now leaning towards “Suga”, confident that O’Malley’s precise, well-timed striking will be enough to counter Dvalishvili’s relentless wrestling and secure his title defense.
“If you’d have asked me maybe a month ago, I would say Merab’s gonna wrestle, and Merab is on another level,” Muhammad said. “Especially with his last fight, beating Cejudo the way he did, but I’ve swayed—I’m picking O’Malley in this fight. I think he’s a sharpshooter; he’s so good at moving laterally. Merab gets hit a lot in a lot of his fights, and he’s been rocked a lot. He’s a ‘Machine’, so he’ll walk through those punches, but I just think that O’Malley hits differently than anybody he’s fought.”
“He has so much confidence after knocking out Aljo, who I think has better striking than Merab. Merab is very wild when he runs in, and even with his takedowns, he’ll sacrifice defense just to shoot in and grab a hold of you. Once he grabs a hold of you, it’s gonna be a long night, but I think that O’Malley has been training for him. He knows how to do that back step. I think I see Merab walking into something.”
“Remember the Name” expressed concerns that Dvalishvili seems to be prioritizing social media promotion over his actual training, implying that he may have lost the fire to win the title. Muhammad also criticized “The Machine” for his recent antics, specifically calling out his decision to publicize suffering a cut during training.
“Merab has just been posting. I think he’s been doing too much social media, thinking about promoting and being a character instead of training hard for the fight. You’re getting stitches, you’re showing you’re getting stitches, then you’re taking them out with scissors, then you’re drinking in Mexico, and you’re showing all of this stuff that does not need to be documented. All of this stuff does not need to be posted. But I think now he’s in that social media mindset where it’s not about the hunger anymore. It’s not, ‘This is my first time getting this title shot; it took me this long to get here; I can’t let the opportunity pass me up.’ It’s, ‘Let me show the UFC that I can be sold. I can sell myself. I can do this,’ and you’re thinking about other stuff instead of the goal, which is to win the fight.”
Umar Nurmagomedov would appear to be next in line for whoever comes out on top in this weekend’s UFC 306 main event.
Champion Sean O’Malley looks to earn his second title defense when he takes on Merab Dvalishvili at the Sphere.
However, in the lead up to this fight, Dvalishvili has explained why he doesn’t believe that Nurmagomedov is currently at the front of the pack.
The cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov is undefeated at 18-0 but his only win over a ranked opponent was his most recent outing against Cory Sandhagen, which elevated him all the way to the #2-spot.
Kamaru Usman Argues Why Merab Dvalishvili Should Be Lobbying For Umar Nurmagomedov Fight Next
On a recent appearance on the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, Dvalishvili once again explained why he doesn’t think Nurmagomedov has got enough high-level wins to justify a title shot.
After hearing Dvalishvili’s reasoning, he looked to get across to him why fighting Nurmagomedov should be an option that he considers rather than disregarding him.
“The Nigerian Nightmare” spoke about how it’s important for a champion to make the most of their time at the top by getting the biggest possible fights out there, which right now in the bantamweight division, means taking on the undefeated contender.
“I get it, if we’re going by the rankings senses, it makes more sense 100% but, at the same time, we have to understand and I want you to understand this. This is one thing I’m gonna tell you Merab. If by God’s grace you are the champion, you have to understand that as the champion, now I have to use this belt, this position to accumulate as much income as I can at that time because time waits for nobody.
“At some point, we’re gonna get old, we’re going to change and the belt is going to change hands, there’s going to be new champions even whether you retire the champion or not. There’s going to be a new champion so the job, the goal, is to pull in as much as you can while you’re in that position and we can’t deny that a fight with a guy like yourself and Umar Nurmagomedov would be a bigger sell than a fight with Deiveson Figueiredo at this time, even though Figueiredo is still, I think, a big name.
Sterling’s reign came to an end at UFC 292 last year where he was stopped by Sean O’Malley in the second round.
Sterling debated whether the referee on that night, Marc Goddard, was guilty of an early stoppage and this is something that Dvalishvili has been very vocal about.
Merab Dvalishvili Says He Wants To Prove That Sean O’Malley Was ‘Lucky’
During a recent appearance on the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, Dvalishvili spoke passionately about his thoughts on the Sterling vs O’Malley fight.
He doesn’t see why the official would call the action when he did because despite the defending champion being dropped, he continued to move before taking several follow-up shots that led to Goddard stepping in.
The challenger says that this gives him more motivation ahead of September 14 where he wants to show that “Suga” had luck on his side on that night in Boston.
“I want to win this fight and I want to show the world he’s just a regular [guy] and he just got lucky because yeah, he did throw punch, he did clip Aljamain Sterling but Marc Goddard really helped him because when Aljo was down, he was keep moving, he was trying to grab the leg, he was moving and where Marc Goddard called him to move, he moved and then he stopped. If you tell him move and then he move, why you stop it you know. Me, when I fight, before the fight in locker room when referee comes I always tell referee, ‘Hey, if I get clipped, don’t stop me. Let me fight, I rather sleep, I rather die. Then, of course, you stop me but long as I’m moving, I’m doing something, please don’t stop me because I don’t need you.’
“Aljo was still in this fight but I was so mad when Marc Goddard stop the fight early again. So yeah, this is also like you said Henry, this is avenge this loss.”
There was a time a few weeks ago, however, when some feared for the matchup’s place on the card after Dvalishvili revealed a deep-looking cut sustained in training on social media.
“The Machine’s” decision to publicly display the cut caused debate, with the UFC CEO being among those unimpressed by Dvalishvili’s antics.
“The whole world knows about Merab’s cut. He posted it. Our guys are so dumb, it’s next-level unbelievable,” White said during a DWCS press conference. “All the stuff I talk about boxing, what I will give boxing, is when something happens in a camp, man, let me tell you what, it does not leak. Our guys can’t f*cking wait to throw it up on social media.
“It’s a small cut. It’s no big deal. But obviously, it needed to be posted,” White continued. “Why the f*ck would you want him to know that? It is next-level stupid. Some of these guys are so stupid it’s mind-boggling. It’s unbelievable.”
Longo On Dvalishvili’s Cut: ‘One Thing Dana Was Really Wrong On…’
During a recent interview with Kevin Iole, Longo looked ahead to Dvalishvili’s long-awaited first opportunity to reach the mountaintop in the UFC.
The veteran trainer was asked about the cut suffered by the Georgian in training, which became one of the hottest topics in the lead-up to Noche UFC 306.
Longo dismissed the importance of revealing such a blemish to an opponent like O’Malley, and he strongly pushed back on White’s reaction to “The Machine’s” social media activity.
“I’m not the social media guy, so I don’t get it. But you have to expect this sh*t with these kids today. They film everything. They film tying their shoelaces,” Longo said. “He’s been a camera guy since the second I met him. He’s crazy with the camera. But look, if it was a knee injury, I’d say that would be a problem. Now you’re gonna target something. (But) he’s gonna get cut in the fight. It is what it is. He’s gonna get punched in the face. … A cut’s a cut, and if it opens up, I don’t think it’ll have an impact on the fight.
“One thing Dana was really wrong on was he called him a dummy. He’s far from a dummy,” Longo continued. “(Dvalishvili’s) very intelligent. He’s a humble guy, got humble beginnings. He’s fighting for his country. There’s certain guys that that type of sh*t means a lot. He’s one of them. He’s (O’Malley’s) gonna have to beat this kid dead, that I guarantee you.”
Dvalishvili will look to display a different type of intelligence come fight night in Las Vegas on Saturday by using his fight IQ to secure a memorable title crowning inside the Sphere.
His opportunity to do so comes in the final fight of the 10-fight lineup, on which he’ll mark the second championship challenger to make the walk after Valentina Shevchenko’s attempt to achieve two-time status at Alexa Grasso’s expense.
While “The Machine” trains in Las Vegas with John Wood these days, he’s still expected to have the likes of coach Longo and teammate Sterling in his corner this weekend.
Noche UFC (UFC 306) is now only a couple of days away, and what better way to get hyped for the upcoming pay-per-view than with some MMA News staff predictions?
The main event will see Sean O’Malley make his second defense of the middleweight title. Following his crowning at the expense of Aljamain Sterling, “Sugar” stalled the championship ambitions of Marlon Vera this past March. He’s now tasked with repeating the feat against a teammate of Sterling’s, charging Georgian Merab Dvalishvili.
Elsewhere on the main card, the fast-rising Diego Lopes once again looks to reach the top five at the expense of Brian Ortega, while Mexican prospects Daniel Zellhuber and Ronaldo Rodriguez hope to make the most of their positions on the prominent card.
Noche UFC 306: MMA News Staff Predictions
Ahead of Saturday’s Noche UFC event, Kyle Dimond, Ryan Jarrell, Thomas Albano, Andrew Starc, Pranav Pandey, and Aakrit Sharma have provided their picks for the five matchups set for the main card.
Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through five cards.
Thomas Albano (19-5)
Ryan Jarrell (15-9)
Kyle Dimond (13-11)
Andrew Starc (7-7)
Pranav Pandey (1-4)
Aakrit Sharma (0-0)
And with that, it’s time for the team’s predictions for Noche UFC 306.
Flyweight: Ronaldo Rodriguez vs. Ode’ Osbourne
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: Osbourne has fought some very tough opposition during his UFC career, but the back-to-back losses are the major concern here. On this night of all nights, it feels like the Mexican fighters are going to have some added momentum, which I think will carry Rodriguez through here by way of a submission. (Prediction: Ronaldo Rodriguez)
Ryan Jarrell: Rodriguez looked impressive in his UFC debut, winning by submission in the second round over Denys Bondar. Meanwhile, this will be Osbourne’s tenth fight inside the UFC Octagon. Osbourne has been stopped in his last two fights and desperately needs to secure a win or possibly face losing his job in the world’s largest promotion. This is a tough fight to pick because I expect Osbourne to come out dialed in and looking his best. Rodriguez is the favorite and I can see a path to victory for the younger fighter, but I am picking Osbourne to show some grit and win a tough fought decision. (Prediction: Ode’ Osbourne)
Thomas Albano: Rodriguez has been on an absolute tear ever since his 2020 loss on Dana White’s Contender Series. He’s won six straight, which includes four finishes – with Rodriguez winning his UFC debut by way of a second-round submission of Bondar. Osbourne has proven to be an exciting fighter in his own right. However, momentum is just simply not on his side. And when you look at the capabilities of both men, Rodriguez’s wrestling is more effective, and his fighting style is more dynamic. Rodriguez is continuing to develop into a well-rounded fighter, and this should help him to another finish on a big stage. (Prediction: Ronaldo Rodriguez)
Andrew Starc: Rodriguez is coming into this one off a submission win against Bondar in his UFC debut this past February. The 25-year-old Mexican is unbeaten in his last six fights, while Osbourne has lost three of his last four, including two via submission. Given the lack of grappling defense Osbourne displayed in his last bout, I think he might be ripe for a another sub in this one. (Prediction: Ronaldo Rodriguez)
Pranav Pandey: Rodriguez may still be flying under the radar, but he’s an absolute force inside the cage. His stunning submission victory over Bondar in his debut made it clear he’s anything but his “Lazy Boy” moniker. Rodriguez brings relentless forward pressure and pairs it with elite grappling skills, making him a dangerous opponent for anyone. On the other hand, Osbourne faces some tough questions about his recent form. Having been caught in submissions in his last two fights, along with showing signs of wear from previous battles, I just can’t envision this fight unfolding in favor of “The Jamaican Sensation.” (Prediction: Ronaldo Rodriguez)
Aakrit Sharma: Rodriguez showed toughness in his UFC debut and proved that he poses a submission threat on the ground as well. Osbourne, meanwhile, is coming off two straight submission losses and is unlikely to want the fight on the ground. I believe Rodriguez is the better fighter everywhere despite Osbourne boasting more experience in the UFC. Although “Lazy Boy” should try to take Osbourne down as a submission is his easiest path to victory, I’m predicting a knockout win for him. Osbourne tends to strike with his hands down, giving a sniper like Rodriguez a ton of space to land the perfect knockout blow. (Prediction: Ronaldo Rodriguez)
Consensus: 5-1 Ronaldo Rodriguez
Lightweight: Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: This should be an absolute firecracker. Ribovics has got some frightening finishes to his name and I think he will test Zellhuber early. That classic Mexican heart is going to be on display here, and I’ve seen more from Zellhuber to suggest that he will do better once this fight goes into deep waters. I expect it to be a barnburner which, slowly, Zellhuber will start to take over in with his pressure and output en route to a TKO finish. (Prediction: Daniel Zellhuber)
Ryan Jarrell: This fight very well could be your fight of the night. Zellhuber has an eight-inch reach advantage and if he uses it effectively, it could be a long night for Ribovics. Having said that, Zellhuber has to be extremely careful with the power that his opponent possesses. We saw Ribovics kick Terrance McKinney into the shadow realm in his last fight, and he has the ability to do it in this fight too. Regardless, I expect Zellhuber to use his reach and fight smartly en route to a decision victory. (Prediction: Daniel Zellhuber)
Thomas Albano: This should be a fun matchup featuring a pair of up-and-coming lightweights. Both men are very talented strikers, and we could be in for a really underrated matchup. Since his win over Lucas Almeida on Dana White’s Contender Series, Zellhuber has won three of four fights he’s had in the UFC, with wins over Lando Vannata, Christos Giagos, and Francisco Prado. Ribovics, meanwhile, has won two of three fights he’s had since his DWCS appearance, including a 37-second knockout of McKinney in May.
If Ribovics is able to get in and land a couple of powerful shots, Zellhuber could find himself in trouble. I, however, feel Zellhuber will be mindful of his distance and look to land from the outside, making solid usage of his significant reach advantage. (Prediction: Daniel Zellhuber)
Andrew Starc: The rangy Zellhuber brings an all-round skillset of striking and grappling to this encounter, along with a three-fight win streak. Ribovics, meanwhile, is coming off a 37-second KO of McKinney in May — one of many knockouts and submissions on his résumé. This will be a contest between two young DWCS alums that I think will be decided by Zellhuber’s superior grappling. (Prediction: Daniel Zellhuber)
Pranav Pandey: This could be an absolute barnburner as both fighters bring well-rounded skillsets to the table. “Golden Boy” enters as the clear favorite, largely due to his significant reach advantage, which could dictate the pace of the fight. Yet, underestimating “El Gringo” would be a mistake. Ribovics not only has the defensive sharpness to evade Zellhuber’s striking but also packs powerful punches that, when paired with his well-timed takedowns, make him a dangerous and unpredictable opponent.
I anticipate this fight unfolding primarily in the striking department, with Ribovics likely keeping his distance and looking to land heavy shots from the outside. The real intrigue, however, lies in how Zellhuber responds, as he’s just as explosive as his opponent. (Prediction: Esteban Ribovics)
Aakrit Sharma: This is my Fight of the Night contender because both fighters are unlikely to shoot for a takedown and have different yet exciting striking styles. “Golden Boy” is a master at managing distance and keeping opponents at bay through teep kicks and knees during the clinch. Ribovics, on the other hand, is a powerful striker who likes to trade in the pocket. His cardio will be an extremely effective tool in this fight, and his pace and power remain the same throughout all three rounds.
Zellhuber’s last win against Prado was extremely impressive as he was more active with punches, kicks, and knees and didn’t get hit a lot like his previous fights. The Mexican struggles against high-paced opponents, though, and Ribovics excels at landing big combinations out of nowhere. Both strikers have a solid chin, so my prediction is Zellhuber to win via decision. (Prediction: Daniel Zellhuber)
Consensus: 5-1 Daniel Zellhuber
Featherweight: Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: When this fight was originally booked for UFC 303, I went with Lopes on the back of his recent form whilst making a note to say that it seems to always be forgotten just how good Ortega is because he’s not that active. Well, after some more time to think about it, I’m going the opposite way.
It does worry me that Lopes throws a lot and Ortega takes too much punishment, even in his wins. I can see this fight being close and I think I’d probably pick Lopes if he had another two rounds to work with. Over three, I think Ortega might be able to hit UFC 306 with another ‘y’all must have forgot’ performance. Or, you could say that to steal a pro wrestling term, I’m going for 50:50 booking.
I picked Lopes last time so I’ll pick Ortega this time. Considering how hard this one is to call, I have no shame in that. (Prediction: Brian Ortega)
Ryan Jarrell: This fight is very interesting on so many levels. When these two were initially matched up, I picked Ortega to get the win. Lopes is someone who is still evolving and has not reached his prime yet. I don’t think we can say the same thing about Ortega. “T-City” had a memorable win over Yair Rodríguez in his last UFC fight and it would be no surprise to see him notch another as an underdog. Having said that, I have to go with the younger fighter here. This would be the biggest win of Lopes’ career thus far, and I think he gets it. (Prediction: Diego Lopes)
Thomas Albano: This is a huge opportunity for Ortega – and an even bigger opportunity for Lopes. Over a year-and-a-half after suffering a shoulder injury against Rodríguez, Ortega returned in a big way by submitting him in spectacular fashion in February. Spectacular is also the word to describe Lopes’ time in the Octagon thus far. Just four fights into the UFC, he’s had a narrow loss to Movsar Evloev and highlight finishes of Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini, and Sodiq Yusuff.
This should be one of the best fights on the card. It’s a big step up to be taking on a two-time title challenger, but it’s the biggest opportunity of Lopes’ life – and he needs to make the most of it. And the thing is, he has the capability to get it done. “T-City” might be tough to finish with a solid chin, but Lopes possesses some explosive speed and power with his striking. Even on the ground, the up-and-comer could be able to duel in grappling with Ortega with his jiu-jitsu experience. Lopes, in fact, has more wins via submission in his MMA career than he holds KO/TKOs. If he continues his run with the kind of circumstances he’s facing here, one can only imagine the kind of major doors that will open for him. (Prediction: Diego Lopes)
Andrew Starc: This is a huge step up in competition for Lopes. Ortega is coming off a submission win against Rodríguez in February, while the Brazilian has racked up three first-round finishes in the past year. Lopes is the bigger man with huge KO power, and both fighters have good grappling. However, I think if “T-City” survives a first-round onslaught from Lopes, his experience will see him get the win. (Prediction: Brian Ortega)
Pranav Pandey: This is easily my favorite matchup on the card, as I believe it has all the ingredients to be the show-stealer of the night. Lopes is on an absolute tear right now, boasting impeccable credentials with knockout potential and a formidable grappling game to match. He poses a serious threat to Ortega, potentially being one of his toughest challenges to date. However, “T-City” is as tough as they come, showcasing sharp boxing skills with impressive volume striking. But what truly sets him apart is his ability to completely shift the momentum when the fight hits the mat. My only concern is whether his durability might be starting to wane.
Both fighters have a warrior’s mentality and won’t back down until the final bell. While Lopes has the edge with his youth and sharpness, Ortega’s resilience is a key factor that can’t be overlooked. He has the ability to turn the tide in the later rounds but must remain cautious of getting caught by the Brazilian’s strikes. Otherwise, “T-City” has the experience and savvy to steal the fight when it matters most. (Prediction: Brian Ortega)
Aakrit Sharma: It’s outrageous to me that Ortega is the underdog against Lopes. The Brazilian prospect has shown resilience and well-roundedness in his UFC fights so far, but Ortega has shared the Octagon for 25 minutes with the likes of Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. Because the fight is three rounds, I’m not expecting either fighter to get finished. Instead, it could be a back-and-forth brawl on the feet with some exceptionally slick scrambles in between. My prediction is for Ortega to win by decision, and his experience fighting way superior competition will be a key factor in the bout. (Prediction: Brian Ortega)
Consensus: 4-2 Brian Ortega
UFC Women’s Flyweight Title: Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: There’s a lot of factors that point to this being Grasso’s time to close out this trilogy, but there are a few issues with that — one being that Valentina Shevchenko is a bit good, and two, I can see there being a fourth fight if “Bullet” reclaims the belt. The former champ just refuses to let the division move on, but I do think that Grasso has enough to win another close fight. The first time, she capitalized on a mistake. The second time, she looked as good as we’ve seen her. I think that trajectory is going to keep climbing here. (Prediction: Alexa Grasso)
Ryan Jarrell: I cannot wait to see what unfolds in this trilogy fight. The former champion is now 36 years old and I think it’s fair to say not in her prime anymore. But I think Shevchenko is still good enough to pick up this win and reclaim the title. Grasso is definitely a tough out and matches up well with the veteran. I would not be surprised if she defends her title and closes this chapter in her career. It’s just hard for me to pick against Shevchenko. I won’t be placing a huge bet on this fight, but give me “Bullet” to win a decision here. (Prediction: Valentina Shevchenko)
Thomas Albano: It’s always great to see a trilogy fight, and considering the circumstances of their first two fights, this will really be enjoyable. We’ve never had a women’s trilogy fight in UFC history until tonight, and so while O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili is the main event, this fight (containing a Mexican-born UFC champion) should have a lot of focus.
If there is something that the first two fights between Grasso and Shevchenko have shown, it’s that Grasso is not afraid and can take it to the longtime former champion. Whether it’s grappling or the clinch, Grasso seems to have an edge. Of course, Shevchenko is known for her crisp, technical, sometimes powerful striking and being able to land from range. Shevchenko is also one of the more unpredictable and creative strikers in the cage with her fighting style, so she can never be counted out of the fight. Shevchenko performed well in both previous outings, but neither fight went her way given that she got caught in the first fight (to Grasso’s credit) and the debatable judges’ cards in the second fight (again, to Grasso’s credit on her own performance).
Though Grasso has gotten the better of Shevchenko twice already, Shevchenko is a smart, dedicated fighter who has definitely learned from the first two outings. Not everyone is ready to consider her no longer the top dog at 125 pounds, and she may very well bring a new plan into this third fight after taking in both of their 2023 outings. My feeling is that “Bullet” reclaims her throne in another competitive outing that may prove to be one of, if not the, best women’s UFC fights in 2024. (Prediction: Valentina Shevchenko)
Andrew Starc: The Shevchenko who a few years ago seemed unassailable is perhaps no longer. 36 years old now, she’s facing an opponent in Grasso who, while maybe not as technically gifted, is certainly in her prime. You could argue Shevchenko was the more dominant in their two previous meetings, and Grasso only clinched victory the first time due to Shevchenko’s slip up. This one could go either way, but it just seems like Grasso is going to pull off the win. (Prediction: Alexa Grasso)
Pranav Pandey: Grasso and Shevchenko now stand on equal footing, with each fighter well-versed in the intricacies of the other’s skills and fighting style thanks to their previous encounters. On paper, “Bullet” seems to outclass the reigning champion in nearly every aspect — whether it’s her unconventional striking, defensive grappling, or overall skillset. However, what sets Grasso apart is her freshness, giving her a physical sharpness advantage over the more battle-worn Shevchenko. Moreover, Grasso carries a surge of confidence from her previous success against Shevchenko, which could be a decisive factor in their next showdown.
Shevchenko brings a menacing arsenal of striking threats, where one misstep from her opponent could lead to an early night. However, in her recent outings, she’s revealed glaring vulnerabilities against skilled grapplers, a weakness Grasso can exploit. If the Mexican plays her cards right and capitalizes on these openings, she has a strong path to victory. (Prediction: Alexa Grasso)
Aakrit Sharma: In their last outing, Shevchenko showed glimpses of a dominant force against Grasso throughout five rounds. She was getting the better of the striking exchanges and could secure four takedowns with over eight minutes of control time. However, the UFC women’s flyweight champion had a couple of huge moments like the second-round knockdown and the ground control in the last frame that made the fight a lot closer than it threatened to be at times.
Although Grasso is unbeaten in two fights against Shevchenko and “Bullet” no longer looks invincible in the Octagon, it’s hard to bet against her. The former champ will still have a massive power advantage and, with the right adjustments, she should be able to get a decision win over Grasso at UFC 306. Grasso’s very tough and has good jiu-jitsu, so I wouldn’t predict a submission or finish win for Shevchenko. (Prediction: Valentina Shevchenko)
Consensus: 3-3
UFC Bantamweight Title: Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili
Images: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC & @ufc/X
Kyle Dimond: This fight is going to be fascinating because of two big questions. We’ve seen Dvalishvili get hurt in the past and survive, but will he be able to do that against a sniper like O’Malley? And how will “Suga” fare against a pressure fighter like “Merab”The Machine.” This has become a real coin flip pick for me in the weeks leading up to this fight but I am going to side with and new.
I don’t see the challenger as someone who is going to lose confidence in this fight if he can’t close that gap or if he gets hurt when doing so. I think O’Malley will more than hold his own but I can also see him being stifled at points in this fight, which will give Dvalishvili the rounds he needs to take home the bantamweight title. (Prediction: Merab Dvalishvili)
Ryan Jarrell: There was a time when I was absolutely convinced that Dvalishvili would eventually be the bantamweight champion and the man to dethrone O’Malley. But I have been slowly losing my confidence in picking the Georgian to get the job done. The main reason is because of how many openings he leaves when closing distance. “Suga” is a sniper and so precise with his punching placement. I just believe that over 25 minutes, there will be a moment when Dvalishvili gets caught and O’Malley capitalizes for the TKO finish. (Prediction: Sean O’Malley)
Thomas Albano: O’Malley’s rise to the UFC bantamweight championship has been nothing short of spectacular and star-making. Having said that, he’s taking on a man who probably would have received a title shot a lot sooner if he was willing to fight his friend and teammate in former champion Aljamain Sterling. O’Malley seems to continue to get better with every fight, but Dvalishvili presents a unique challenge that he hasn’t faced before – and perhaps the toughest that he’s ever faced.
Though it sounds generic to say, this one truly is a striker vs. grappler matchup, and whoever dictates control of the fight determines how this one is going to go. If Dvalishvili is as dominant with his takedowns and his wrestling as we’ve seen him be in the Octagon, it’s going to be a long night for “The Suga Show” and his fanbase. But if O’Malley has really worked on his takedown defense and his wrestling, then he can keep this fight standing, where it will be a great night for him.
Unfortunately for O’Malley and his fans (or for me in case I get this wrong!), I feel like unless I see Dvalishvili be stopped in his relentless takedown pursuits, I’m not going to doubt him. And considering this may be Dvalishvili’s only opportunity at the 135-pound gold after just serving as Sterling’s “bodyguard” of sorts when he was champion, I don’t think Dvalishvili is going to just let this opportunity slip through his fingers. (Prediction: Merab Dvalishvili)
Andrew Starc: Dvalishvili’s relentless wrestling and cardio seem the antidote to O’Malley’s phenomenal striking, but how will the Georgian perform under the pressure of his first title fight? Also factoring into his chances is the fact that Dvalishvili revealed to the world a cut that’s prime for targeted shots from O’Malley, and that he could possibly have a staph infection. O’Malley seems the sort of fighter that steps up a notch in big title fights, and I think he’s going to use his striking to get the win here. (Prediction: Sean O’Malley)
Pranav Pandey: In my view, Dvalishvili poses a formidable threat to Sean O’Malley, primarily due to his relentless pace and suffocating wrestling style, which has consistently left his opponents gasping for air. Yet, “Suga” isn’t one to back down easily. With his exceptional takedown defense and uncanny ability to capitalize on his reach, he’s more than capable of turning a potential wrestling clinic into a striking showcase.What truly sets O’Malley apart, though, is his sharp counter-striking, which could serve as a perfect antidote to Dvalishvili’s forward pressure. His precision and timing allow him to exploit even the slightest openings, forcing opponents to rethink their approach.
I anticipate the early rounds will see both fighters engage in a tactical chess match, cautiously gauging each other’s rhythm and distance, with neither willing to overcommit too early. While “The Machine” has proven time and again that he can push the pace, O’Malley presents a different challenge. His precision striking could sap Dvalishvili’s energy reserves faster than expected. Dvalishvili’s susceptibility to being hit, particularly around the temple, perfectly aligns with O’Malley’s prowess as a devastating headhunter with fight-ending power. While Dvalishvili has the endurance to push the fight into deep waters, evading “Suga’s” pinpoint strikes will be an immense task , though the Georgian has the resilience to pull it off. (Prediction: Merab Dvalishvili)
Aakrit Sharma: Din Thomas rightly predicts that this fight won’t be a back-and-forth. Either Dvalishvili’s wrestling will overwhelm O’Malley for five straight rounds or the champ’s takedown defense and clean striking won’t allow the Georgian to be as relentless as he usually is. O’Malley has really underrated grappling. Petr Yan could take him down at will but “Suga” didn’t take much damage on the ground and hopped back up in several creative ways. He’s improved drastically since that fight, and his ability to hit you as soon as you enter the pocket should be a problem for Dvalishvili. O’Malley’s knees should also serve him well against a grappler like Dvalishvili.
If the fight goes the distance, “The Machine” will most likely get the nod, but my prediction is O’Malley winning via KO before the fourth begins. (Prediction: Sean O’Malley)
Consensus: 3-3
That’ll do it for our Noche UFC 306 staff picks! What do you think? Do your picks look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the full Noche UFC 306 card below.
Main Card:
Bantamweight Championship Main Event: Sean O’Malley (C) vs. Merab Dvalishvili
Flyweight Championship Co-Main Event: Alexa Grasso (C) vs. Valentina Shevchenko
Featherweight: Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes
Lightweight: Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics
Flyweight: Ronaldo Rodriguez vs. Ode’ Osbourne
Preliminary Card:
Bantamweight: Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Aoriqileng
Bantamweight: Irena Aldana vs. Norma Dumont
Lightweight: Manuel Torres vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
Flyweight: Edgar Cháirez vs. Kevin Borjas
Strawweight: Yazmin Jauregui vs. Ketlen Souza
Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com tomorrow for all the results, highlights, and updates on Noche UFC 306!
Dan Hooker recently noted that Sean O’Malley is expertly playing mind games with Merab Dvalishvili in the build-up to their Noche UFC 306 clash.
“Sugar” is slated for his second UFC bantamweight title defense, where he’ll square off against Dvalishvili in the headlining bout of the highly anticipated pay-per-view event, set for this Saturday at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.
He's always had the IT factor ✨@SugaSeanMMA aims to defend his belt at #UFC306!
O’Malley claimed the 135-pound title with a knockout victory over Dvalishvili’s teammate and close ally, Aljamain Sterling, at UFC 292 in August 2023. He went on to defend his belt in dazzling style against Marlon Vera at UFC 299 this past March, putting on a striking masterclass for the full 25 minutes to avenge the lone blemish on his UFC record.
“The Hangman” believes it’s O’Malley’s silver tongue that truly sets him apart, as he skillfully uses his sharp words to rattle his opponents, with Dvalishvili now falling into the same trap…
Hooker Predicts Dvalishvili Could Fall To O’Malley Just Like Sterling
During a recent interview with mainevent, Hooker weighed in on the upcoming O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili title fight. “The Hangman” praised the reigning champion’s ability to expertly use his reach advantage to dominate with his striking.
Drawing comparisons between “The Machine” and Sterling’s fighting styles, Hooker noted that it would be fascinating to see how Dvalishvili approaches O’Malley differently than his teammate did.
“He is incredible at controlling that distance, a sniper, an absolute sniper from range, and that’s the big thing I see in this fight—how will Merab cover that range? Because it’s a very similar style, a very similar opponent to Sean’s last one, Aljamain Sterling. Sterling and Merab have two very similar styles of wrestling; they shoot, and they’re really looking to take you down and put you on your back.”
Hooker emphasized “Sugar’s” knack for skillfully employing trash talk to unnerve his opponents in the build-up to a fight. He pointed out that this tactic worked perfectly against Sterling, causing him to make crucial mistakes that led to his defeat. The 34-year-old Auckland native also believes O’Malley is successfully getting inside Dvalishvili’s head, which could spell trouble for the Georgian fighter.
“‘Sugar’ Sean is a master at mental warfare. He was able to, you know, at the press conference, at the weigh-in, get into Aljamain Sterling’s head. So Aljamain, rather than being patient, taking his time, and setting up to cover that distance, really rushed it. He panicked and rushed. I can already sense that ‘Sugar’ is getting under Merab’s skin, and we still have so much time to go. We still have the weigh-in, the press conference, and media day. There’s still a lot of time to cover and a lot of time for ‘Sugar’ Sean to use that mental warfare.”
The fight card will be headlined by UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, who will make his second title defense against Merab Dvalishvili. Meanwhile, the co-main event will showcase the third, and likely final, meeting between UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko. Alongside these high-profile bouts, the rest of the lineup is filled with fighters of Mexican descent.
It's the fight week we've all been waiting for! 🌞#UFC306 LIVE from @SphereVegas
According to White, the UFC has funneled more than $20 million into the event, with a vision of transforming it into an extraordinary extravaganza by utilizing the Sphere’s 16K wraparound LED screens and immersive auditory experience. The MMA promotion plans to showcase six 90-second vignettes between fights, weaving together a cinematic narrative that celebrates the significant role of Mexicans in combat sports. To further elevate the spectacle, each fight will unfold in what the UFC top brass refers to as “different worlds,” projected across the dome-shaped screen.
Masvidal believes that Noche UFC 306 will deliver a groundbreaking experience, elevated by an electrifying lineup of fights set to captivate the fans…
Masvidal Believes Noche UFC 306 Will Propel Rising Fighters Toward Title Contention
During a recent interview with MMA journalist Kevin Iole, “Gamebred” radiated excitement for Noche UFC 306 and the unparalleled venue experience the event is set to deliver with its top-tier production quality.
The former BMF champion highlighted the Mexican-heavy fight card, confident it will serve as a launchpad for several rising stars to emerge as future title contenders.
“I don’t know if it’ll [the venue] impact the way they fight so much,” Masvidal said. “It’s going to be an experience, though, because I’ve been in there [the Sphere] for a 3D show, and it was amazing. It was mind-blowing—the graphics, the stuff—but obviously, they’re not doing that now. But I still think they’ll play a lot of the graphics on their projectors and stuff, so it’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I really wish I could have made it to this event. The card is stacked from top to bottom with a lot of up-and-coming talent. It’s going to be f**king amazing, maybe even some future world champions on this card right here. So I think it’s a great, great card, man.”
Masvidal eagerly voiced his anticipation for the O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili showdown, noting that both fighters are perfectly balanced, thanks to their diverse and well-rounded skill sets.
“The main event is one that I’ll be watching closely, brother. I’ll be watching the main event 100%. I’m a big fan of both of them. I love Merab’s style—just coming forward, does not give a f**k, does not know how to get tired. This guy just has an unbelievable gas tank, is pretty good at wrestling, and now he’s mixing it up better, where he’s throwing punches and getting right to it. But Sean is a sniper—one shot, one kill type of guy. Great athlete with great distance, great timing, and the longer arms, so it’s going to be a battle. I think whoever can keep it more real is obviously going to win, but it’s going to be a battle no matter what. I think it’s going to end up being a really good fight, or maybe I can see Sean maybe catching him early too—you never know.”
To earn his long-awaited first shot at title glory at the promotion’s second annual celebration of Mexican Independence Day, the Georgian challenger has won 10 straight, most recently at the expense of Henry Cejudo this past February.
We can’t say enough about the #UFC306 Artist Series poster 🔥
Both Dvalishvili and O’Malley were in attendance for Cejudo’s previous outing, which came against “The Machine’s” teammate Aljamain Sterling in Newark last year. After the then-champ defeated “Triple C,” he faced off with “Sugar” inside the Octagon.
While the attention was expected to be on those two, Dvalishvili stole headlines by putting O’Malley’s red jacket on and vaulting the Octagon wall.
Dvalishvili Recalls O’Malley Jacket Incident: ‘What Kind Of Man Is He?
During a recent interview for UFC.com, Dvalishvili looked ahead to his opportunity to unseat O’Malley from the throne and avenge his friend and training partner’s defeat in Boston 13 months ago.
The Georgian was quick to run with the jacket story soon after the May 2023 PPV event, even obtaining a replica and claiming to have stole O’Malley’s clothing item.
That trend has unsurprisingly continued during Noche UFC fight week, with the challenger linking his ability to don O’Malley’s jacket with his plan to have his championship belt wrapped around him next.
“I want to take his belt now,” Dvalishvili said. “I already took his jacket. I have a question for you. He can’t even defend his jacket, how’s he going to defend his belt?
“He give me jacket first, and then after he was crying. What kind of man he is? When you give somebody something, you should not cry and take back. Especially, he was crying in front of boss,” Dvalishvili added.
Given the pair’s previous in-person interactions, fans can perhaps expect some heat between the two when they take to the stage for Thursday’s press conference and Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins.
The Machine is on the hunt this weekend! 👀@MerabDvalishvil is coming for the bantamweight title at #UFC306!
