Sean O’Malley came into UFC 306 as one of the promotion’s biggest stars. However, the striker’s ability suffered once he got in the cage with wrestler Merab Dvalishvili, nicknamed “The Machine,” who used his wrestling to neutralize O’Malley to 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.
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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.
It indeed was a love letter to Mexico. The fights that followed the Emmy-worthy show also showcased Mexican pride.
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.
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?
Man, does it feel good to be a CHAMPION 🏆@BulletValentina 💃@MerabDvalishvil 🕺
[ #UFC306 | @RiyadhSeason #NocheUFC ] pic.twitter.com/LcAzyKHzcw
— UFC (@ufc) September 15, 2024
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 provided results from the entire UFC 306 card!
UFC 306 full card 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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