UFC 306 in The Sphere truly was a love letter to Mexico. The fights that followed the Emmy-worthy show showcased Mexican pride. The top two fights saw two massive title changes.
In the main event, Merab Dvalishvili used his wrestling to halt Sean O'Malley in his tracks and win the UFC bantamweight title.
It was a long time coming for Dvalishvili, who opted not to fight friend Aljamain Sterling when he was the champion. Instead, he bided his time. When the moment arrived, he delivered, landing multiple takedowns and taking hard shots in stride. At one point, he even kissed O'Malley's back, having some fun.
O'Malley tried to win with big blows in the fifth, but Dvalishvili's defense and wrestling was too much. After five rounds, all the judges scored the contest in favor of the Russian, who outlanded O'Malley in significant strikes 82-47.
Dvalishvili is now on an eleven-fight win streak, beating his fourth straight former champion. He also surpassed Sterling for the longest win streak (ten) in UFC bantamweight history. O'Malley's seven-fight unbeaten streak has come to an end.
It was all part of the unique experience inside The Sphere in Las Vegas. Dana White talked about the venue many times, but to see the production, directed by Carlos Lopez Estrada, come to life was something else. UFC 306 delivered, from the fights to the graphics inside The Sphere.
Valentina Shevchenko somewhat spoiled the party as she neutralized Mexico's Alexa Grasso for five rounds to regain the UFC flyweight title. The former dominant champion took Grasso down eight times, often having a classic Georges St-Pierre-like performance against Grasso, who had chances against Shevchenko but didn't take advantage.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)
Shevchenko, a two-time champion, landed 44 significant strikes compared to Grasso's 18. She has competed for gold since 2017. With the series at 1-1-1, will there be a fourth fight?
Diego Lopes and Brian Ortega were supposed to compete at UFC 303 before Ortega backed out. Finally facing one another, they delivered, especially Lopes. Lopes dropped Ortega multiple times in the fight, crippling him with massive shots to the leg.
Lopes won via unanimous decision, and White told him he might have a three next to his name in the featherweight rankings. The 29-year-old is on a four-fight win streak, while Ortega is now 1-3 in his last four fights.
Esteban Ribovics and Daniel Zellhuber competed in a Fight of the Year contender. Zellhuber, the Mexican warrior, took it to Ribovics, who almost beat "Golden Boy" in the third round following an onslaught of shots. Like Ribovics in the early rounds, Zellhuber survived and connected with his own shots.
The fight was a remarkable display of resiliency by both men, who wowed the crowd with each hard shot.
Ronaldo Rodriguez vs. Ode Osbourne opened the main card. Rodriguez embodied the Mexican fighting spirit for three rounds, winning via unanimous decision. He got locked in a triangle for about two minutes in the first but stormed back in the second, using a body triangle to freeze Osbourne.
"Lazy Boy" has now won seven in a row. He ended a long losing streak for Mexican fighters that started with the prelims.
The Sporting News will provide results, highlights, and analysis for UFC 306 at The Sphere.
UFC 306 results, highlights
Merab Dvalishvili finally wins UFC gold, dethrones Sean O'Malley
Round five: Both were tentative in the round. Dvalishvili stopped the lack of offense with another takedown. He landed hard knees to the body of O'Malley. Herb Dean tried taking control of the fight by forcing it to the feet. A takedown attempt got blocked. A body kick landed from O'Malley. Knee from O'Malley. One last takedown by Dvalishvili before the final bell.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Dvalishvili (50-45)
Round four: A shot by O'Malley connected. Followed by another jab. Huge takedown by Dvalishvili. A slicing elbow cut Dvalishvili by the eye. Dvalishvili landed elbows on the floor, and stuffed a comeback by going halfguard. O'Malley got back up but it didn't last long. Dvalishvili started to land massive shots.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Dvalishvili (40-36)
Round three: A knee by Dvalishvili landed while he rushed him into the corner. He continued to land knees to O'Malley. Dvalishvili pushed O'Malley back, but the latter tried to land hard shots. Big left landed from O'Malley. Another left and a knee to end the round.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 (30-27)
Round two: High kick attempt by Dvalishvili. He moved O'Malley back and landed a massive takedown as O'Malley swung away. Dvalishvili smothered him. O'Malley grabbed inside Dvalishvili's glove and Herb Dean was having none of that. Dvalishvili ragdolled O'Malley into the corner, landing brutal knees. Dvalishvili kissed O'Malley's back, which angered O'Malley.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Dvalishvili (20-18)
Round one: O'Malley pressed forward right away. Dvalishvili with a leg kick as he talked to O'Malley's corner. O'Malley landed to the body and tried for a spinning kick. Herb Dean trying to give a warning to O'Malley's corner. Leg kick by Dvalishvili. O'Malley with a boxing jab and a few combinations. Head shot by O'Malley. Takedown attempt by Dvalishvili and O'Malley went down. Back up, Dvalishvili forced O'Malley into the corner. Right hand by Dvalishvili and another takedown. Guillotine attempt but Dvalishvili is really just pressuring O'Malley.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Dvalishvili
The main event is up next: Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC bantamweight title.
Take 2: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in MSG is official. Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira 2 also on the card.
Valentina Shevchenko holds gold again in one-sided Alexa Grasso beatdown
Round five: Grasso's corner implored her to use her hands. Inside leg kick by Shevchenko, who then landed combinations. Grasso had nothing to offer. Grasso took her down but Shevchenko got back up and took Grasso down. The end result seems inevitable as Shevchenko turned back the clock.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Shevchenko (50-45)
Round four: A guillotine attempt by Grasso to open the round. Grasso went from her back to reversing the hold to get a better hold. Shevchenko got out of it. Shevchenko with an arm triangle but lost it right away. It is a Georges St-Pierre-like performance by Shevchenko.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Shevchenko (40-36)
Round three: Shevchenko landed kicks and combinations. A head kick connected. A big knee from the clinch connected. Shevchenko with another takedown. It was a dominant round for Shevchenko. Grasso needs a finish.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Shevchenko (30-27)
Round two: Grasso's corner wanted more activity. Shevchenko landed combinations and took her down again. Grasso was neutralized on the floor. Armbar attempt by Grasso but Shevchenko got out of it and went to side control. Both got back up. Grasso tried a takedown but Shevchenko put her back on the floor. Grasso with a triangle and now a kimura attempt.
SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Shevchenko (20-18)
Round one: Both landed flurries to start things off. Shevchenko clipped Grasso with a right hook. The former champion with another jab and then took Grasso down to the floor with ease. Grasso with a submission attempt, showing she can be dangerous even on the ground. Not much action, but Shevchenko did land small shots while on the floor.
SN unofficial SN scorecard: 10-9 Shevchenko
Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 3 for the UFC flyweight title is next. Can Grasso further expose Shevchenko, or will the latter hold gold again?
Diego Lopes is the future, runs through Brian Ortega
12:09 a.m. ET: Right hand by Lopes, and Ortega countered by trying to stuff him into the corner. They exchanged combinations. Lopes landed harder shots that pushed Ortega back. He landed rights as Ortega pressed forward. Lopes with a big shot that dropped Ortega again. He got on Ortega's back and then slugged it out before the final bell.
12:05 a.m. ET : Lopes started round two with combinations, similar to the first round. Ortega landed a right. He attempted a takedown. The pace slowed down here. Lopes landed some good leg kicks as well as a head kick. He followed it up with combinations. A kick dropped Ortega. Lopes continued with kicks to hurt Ortega. Lopes continued to land leg kicks in round three. He landed combinations in the pocket, as did Ortega. Ortega needed a finish and he took that to heart in the round.
11:55 p.m. ET: One-two combination by Lopes connected right away. Ortega got stuffed by the cage and put to the ground. Lopes continued to pour shots while Ortega was down. Ortega had a cut by his left eye. Kick by Ortega. Both are back on their feet. Ortega with a few jabs followed by combinations. A right by Lopes connected. A body and head shot connected by Lopes.
Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes is up next. Hours before they were supposed to fight at UFC 303, Ortega backed out due to weight cut issues.
Esteban Ribovics and Daniel Zellhuber compete in Fight of the Year contender
11:26 p.m. ET : Spinning backfist by Ribovics, but Zellhuber landed multiple elbows in return. Both landed right hands in an active third. A big elbow by Zellhuber dropped Ribovics. Thumb to the eye by Zellhuber. Multiple shots connected by Zellhuber. Huge right by Ribovics, who backed "Golden Boy" into the corner and landed an onslaught of shots. Body shots connected and then Zellhuber fired back. What a third round. Ribovics with more shots that Zellhuber absorbed. Zellhuber did get stunned with a right.
11:20 p.m. ET: Ribovics with several jabs and right hands to open round two. Zellhuber tried landing leg kicks but Ribovics countered. They both pressed forward, but Ribovics landed cleaner shots. Zellhuber started to connect at a quicker pace. Right hand by Ribovics followed by combinations from the out and inside. He added kicks to his offense as well as elbows.
11:14 p.m. ET: Ribovics with straight shots to open things up. Zellhuber followed things up with punches on the inside. "Golden Boy" landed several jabs to an unprotected Ribovics. He continued his onslaught with body shots. Ribovics landed solid shots of his own. Body shots connected as he pressed forward. Ribovics with solid combinations upstairs.
11:05 p.m. ET : Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics is up next following another Sphere background transition. Mexico's Zellhuber is properly named "Golden Boy," and is considered the future.
Resilient Ronaldo Rodriguez beats Ode Osbourne
10:48 p.m. ET: Rodriguez went for a takedown but got blocked by Osbourne. Osbourne landed leg kicks as Rodriguez pressed forward. The former landed a big shot to a moving Rodriguez and the latter landed a hook. Rodriguez tried for a finishing blow multiple times. Osbourne with a takedown attempt. They exchanged shots and Osbourne landed the takedown. Kimura attempt by Rodriguez. Back up, Rodriguez blocked another takedown attempt. They exchanged shots on the floor. Rodriguez won in a wild fight.
The fight is either 19-19 or 18-18 depending on how you scored it.
10:40 p.m. ET: Osbourne landed shot to Rodriguez's face to open round two. Rodriguez pushed him to the cage but got caught in the guillotine. Rodriguez got out of it and ended up on Osbourne's back. He flattened Osbourne with elbows. With a body triangle on, Rodriguez smothered Osbourne. Osbourne looked tired. He did reverses in the last 20 seconds and landed big shots to the face of Rodriguez.
10:33 p.m. ET: Osbourne started with sharp shots, including a left hand. His speed was impressive. A massive strike dropped Rodriguez. He tried for the triangle choke and landed elbows to Rodriguez's head. Rodriguez got out of it but Osbourne still had the edge. The former woke up and landed punishing shots to Osbourne. Ode did land shots from the bottom that pushed Rodriguez's head back.
10:17 p.m. ET: Ronaldo Rodriguez vs. Ode Osbourne opened the main card.
The first of six chapters celebrating Mexico opened things up. The Sphere looks like an incredible experience. It may not be the first time that is mentioned.
10:05 p.m. ET: The Sphere atmosphere changed again as the main card began.
9:58 p.m. ET: Aldana with a left hook to open the third, and Dumont acknowledged it with shots of her own. Straight jabs by Dumont, and Aldana turned into a bloody mess. Dumont landed clean shots each time Aldana tied to land an attack. The former's nose appears broken. Hooked landed by both, then Dumont landed combinations to Aldana's cut. Dumont won via unanimous decision.
9:50 p.m. ET: Aldana tried to go on the offensive but Dumont had a great defensive game. The former did land a few leg kicks. Dumont fired shots through the defense of Aldana. Overhand shots by Dumont land. Aldana landed a counter strike straight to Dumont's face, but she didn't give it the time of day. Dumont would not stop moving. Aldana was busted open. It appeared to be from a clash of heads.
9:43 p.m ET: Dumont started things off with some leg kicks, though Aldana was the one pressing forward. The former started to press forward with combinations landing. She brushed off any attack from Aldana and landed counter shots along with a power left. Dumont continued to punish Aldana, who still was strong enough to continue.
9:35 p.m. ET: Irena Aldana vs. Norma Dumont finishes the prelims. Aldana is coming off a Fight of the Year candidate against Karol Rosa. The Sphere just went through a background change. Dana White was right to brag how big this event would be.
9:18 p.m. ET: Torres landed a leg kick but tripped when he connected. He followed it up with another big shot, staying on his feet this time. They traded shots, and Bahamondes landed a big leg kick to the head. He then landed a body kick. A big right by Bahamondes connected and Torres went down. Bahamondes smothered him. Back up, Torres landed a knee by the cage. Another right connected and it's all over.
9:11 p.m. ET: Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Manuel Torres is up next.
8:50 p.m. ET: Both came in hot right away. Jauregui landed flurries, from head shots to straight body blows. Souza with combinations, but Jauregui fought back with leg kicks. A knee and an elbow to the top of the head of Souza connected. Jauregui got hit below the belt right after Souza did. Jauregui got dropped and slept from the choke. What a finish!
Yazmin Jauregui vs. Ketlen Souza in strawweight action is next. A new level of The Sphere just opened up, the experience has started.
Van won via unanimous decision.
8:34 p.m. ET: With a minute left in round two, both landed shots on the floor. Good luck to the judges scoring that one. Van reached and connected a hard shot in round three. Chairez used his reach to land combinations. Van with a body shot and a right to the top of Chairez's head. Chairez slipped and Van got on top. Heel hook attempt. Back up, and Van may have taken too many chances. He landed another takedown. Chairez tried to submit him, but Van landed ground strikes to block them. The last few seconds of the fight saw Van hold Chairez down to the floor.
8:26 p.m. ET: Van landed inside shots in round two, along with another low kick. Chairez continued to press forward. Van wih combinations. He landed body and head shots and Chairez started to retreat. A spinning backfist in the corner and Van got hurt, just as it looked like Chairez was about to lose. Van ended up on top. On their feet, Van acted as the aggressor. Spinning kick by Van. Combinations by Chairez. Takedown by Van. Submission attempt by Chairez. What a round!
8:21 p.m. ET: Chairez with solid kicks to start, going from the leg of Van to the body. Van with a few combinations that connected as Chairez continued to land leg kicks. A leg kick had Van moving funny. Van countered with a low leg kick himself. Chairez pressed forward, feeling confident after each shot. A strike and leg kick dropped Van, who retreated.
Edgar Chairez vs. Joshua Van in a flyweight fight is up next.
8:07 p.m ET : At a certain point, Aoriqileng landed harder blows while on the floor. Rosas did enough, as he won via unanimous decision.
8:03 p.m. ET : Both exchanged shots in round two. Aoriqileng tried to knock Rosas out, but the young fighter had excellent timing on his defense. This is the most patient we have seen Rosas in his young career. Aoriqileng landed crisp shots, and may have won that round. Rosas with a takedown, his second of six attempts. He smothered Aoriqileng, landing hard knees to his thigh.
7:52 p.m. ET: Rosas started things off with leg kicks. Aoriqileng tried to land flurries. Rosas attempted a takedown and got it. He has the tough task of opening the Sphere event and has succeeded so far. Aoriqileng gave up his back and Rosas locked in a rear-naked choke. Rosas had about three minutes of ground control time.
7:40 p.m. ET: Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Aoriqileng starts things off. Rosas, 19, is one of the youngest members of the roster.
7:30 p.m. ET. We are live! The Sphere is looking spherical. Dana White has talked about the venue many times, but to see the production come to life is something else.
7 p.m. ET: We are 30 minutes from the start of UFC 306, and videos from inside of The Sphere are being released.
Hello everyone, and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of UFC 306.
UFC 306 results
Main Card
Merab Dvalishvili def. Sean O'Malley (c) via unanimous decision for the UFC bantamweight title (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
Valentina Shevchenko def. Alexa Grasso (c) via unanimous decision for the UFC flyweight title (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Diego Lopes def . Brian Ortega via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Esteban Ribovics def. Daniel Zellhuber via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Ronaldo Rodriguez def . Ode Osbourne via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Prelims
Norma Dumont def . Irena Aldana via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ignacio Bahamondes def . Manuel Torres via TKO (4:02 into round one)
Ketlen Souza def . Yazmin Jauregui via rear-naked choke (3:02 into round one)
Joshua Van def. Edgar Chairez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Early Prelims
Raul Rosas Jr. def . Aoriqileng via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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