Noche UFC 306 Recap, Highlights and Scorecards

Noche UFC 306 at the sphere delivered exhilarating moments inside the brand-new Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 14, 2024. It was an action packed card with stunning visuals, ending in two thrilling championship bouts that saw new champions.

The main event featured a bantamweight title fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley, while the co-main event showcased a trilogy fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso for the women’s flyweight title. The rising stars also put on some great performances, making UFC 306 a night to remember.

The Sphere Experience

The highly anticipated first and last outing of the UFC at the Sphere did not disappoint. The Sphere offered an unparalleled viewing experience, complete with state-of-the-art visuals and immersive elements that elevated the atmosphere for fans. This new venue truly matched the intensity of the fights.

Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili Defeats Sean O’Malley by Unanimous Decision

In the main event, Merab Dvalishvili secured the UFC bantamweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Sean O’Malley (49-46, 48-47, 48-47). Known as “The Machine” Dvalishvili executed his game plan to perfection, showcasing his impressive cardio and utilizing his wrestling-heavy approach to control O’Malley throughout the five-rounds.

O’Malley struggled to find his rhythm and trademark striking was stifled by Dvalishvili’s constant pressure and takedown attempts. Whenever O’Malley looked to land his dangerous shots, Dvalishvili quickly closed the distance, dragged the fight to the mat, and neutralized the champion’s offense.

Dvalishvili’s performance was a masterclass in wrestling dominance. He didn’t just rely on his cardio; he showcased improved top control, keeping O’Malley grounded and working from dominant positions. The victory marked Dvalishvili’s 11th consecutive win, and he joined his teammate Aljamain Sterling as a UFC bantamweight champion. This win shakes up the bantamweight division and many saying that Umar Nurmagomedov is next in line.

Co-Main Event: Valentina Shevchenko Reclaims the Flyweight Title

In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko reclaimed the UFC women’s flyweight championship by defeating Alexa Grasso via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) in their trilogy bout. Shevchenko, one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history, showcased her elite skills, leaving no doubt as she evened the score against Grasso.

The fight played out largely on the ground, where Shevchenko’s grappling and wrestling proved too much for Grasso. “Bullet” was in control for most of the fight, landing perfectly timed takedowns and keeping Grasso on the defensive. Although Grasso threatened with a guillotine choke in the fourth round, Shevchenko remained calm, escaping the submission attempt and resuming her dominance.

Shevchenko becomes the first two-time UFC women’s flyweight champion and marks her 11th UFC title fight. At 36, she once again reigns supreme in the division.

Diego Lopes Calls for Title Shot After Defeating Brian Ortega

Diego Lopes got the biggest win of his career in a dominant performance over Brian Ortega. Lopes won by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27), continuing his rise in the featherweight division. Come Monday, he will be ranked as the top 3 featherweight.

Lopes started strong, wobbling Ortega with punches and hunting for a finish early. Ortega, a former two-time title challenger, was unable to put up with Lopes, as he broke him down with leg kicks and powerful strikes. By the final round, Lopes was in full control, dropping Ortega again and sealing a clean sweep on the scorecards. This marks Lopes’ fifth consecutive win, and he asked for his name to be put on the table for a title fight.

Esteban Ribovics Edges Out Daniel Zellhuber in a War

This fight was an absolute banger and both fighters won fight of the night bonuses, Esteban Ribovics got a split decision win over Daniel Zellhuber (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) in a back-and-forth kickboxing battle. Both fighters traded heavy blows throughout the three rounds, showing their immense hearts.

Ribovics found his success with simple but effective striking, while Zellhuber mixed things up with more varied attacks. However, it was Ribovics who hurt Zellhuber in the final round, securing enough momentum to earn the win on the scorecards. This victory solidified Ribovics’ place as a rising lightweight star, as both fighters put on a performance that had fans on the edge of their seats.

Ronaldo Rodríguez Defeats Ode Osbourne

Ronaldo Rodríguez kicked off the main card with a unanimous decision victory over Ode Osbourne (29-28, 29-27, 29-27). Rodríguez was in deep trouble early when Osbourne dropped him with a counter right hook and nearly finished the fight with a triangle choke. However, Rodríguez survived the submission attempt and came back in the second round as fresh fighter.

By the third round, Rodríguez took control, landing significant ground-and-pound from top position to secure his second UFC victory. At just 25 years old, Rodríguez has quickly become a fan favorite and a promising addition to the flyweight division.

Preliminary Card of Noche UFC 306

The preliminary fights also provided plenty of excitement:

Ignacio Bahamondes delivered a first-round TKO victory over Manuel Torres with a barrage of strikes at 4:02, showcasing his knockout power.
Ketlen Souza submitted Yazmin Jauregui with a rear-naked choke at 3:02 of the first round, earning a quick and decisive victory in the strawweight division.
Joshua Van edged out Edgar Chairez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) in a close flyweight contest.
Rising star Raul Rosas Jr. continued his winning ways with a unanimous decision win over Aoriqileng (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

Looking Ahead

UFC 306 at the Sphere was a remarkable event, not only for the fights themselves but for the way the new venue enhanced the experience for fans and fighters alike. With Merab Dvalishvili now at the top of the bantamweight division and Valentina Shevchenko reclaiming her flyweight crown, the UFC landscape has shifted once again.

As new contenders rise and champions defend their belts, UFC 306 will be remembered as a night where the action inside the Octagon lived up to the grand spectacle of the Sphere.

Noche UFC 306 Recap, Highlights and Scorecards: Dvalishvili Defeats O’Malley and Valentina Schevchenko Reclaims The Flyweight Title