It’s finally here. After months of waiting, a once-in-a-lifetime pay-per-view show from MMA‘s top promotion, the UFC is happening tonight. The Las Vegas Sphere plays host to the second annual edition of Noche UFC.
All told, tonight’s card will feature 10 bouts throughout the night. Live coverage begins at 7:30 pm ET/ 4:30 pm PT with a single prelim on ESPNNEWS, ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass.
One note for subscribers of DIRECTV: The two-week-old dispute between the satellite provider and The Walt Disney Company has been settled as of earlier today, meaning all ESPN-branded networks, as well as owned-and-operated ABC stations in affected metropolitan areas, have returned to the lineup.
Late prelims air on ESPNNEWS and ESPN+ at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT before going to ESPN+ pay-per-view at 10 pm ET/ 7 pm PT for the main card.
Main Event
At the top of the bill tonight is a battle for the UFC Bantamweight Championship. Incumbent 135-lb. champion Sean O’Malley (18-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) meets challenger and No. 1 contender Merab Dvalishvili (17-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC). This is a five-round fight at five minutes per round to close the show.
This card will be ELECTRIC 💥
We bring you the best finishes from fighters on #UFC306!
[ @RiyadhSeason #NocheUFC | TONIGHT at 10pmET/7pmPT on @ESPNPlus PPV! ] pic.twitter.com/xveoRi6aeK
— UFC (@ufc) September 14, 2024
Co-Main Event
Immediately beforehand, the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship will be at stake in the co-main event. Current titleholder Alexa Grasso (16-3-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) battles No. 1 contender Valentina Shevchenko (23-4-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC). This, too, is a five-round fight at five minutes per round.
Rest of the Card
Also on the main card tonight, you’ll see a featherweight contest pairing No. 3 contender Brian Ortega (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) with No. 13 contender Diego Lopes (25-6 MMA, 4-1 UFC), a lightweight fixture versing Daniel Zellhuber (15-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) against Esteban Ribovics (13-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), and a flyweight fight between Ronaldo Rodriguez (16-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) and Ode Osbourne (12-7 MMA, 4-5 UFC).
Noche UFC (UFC 306) Results:
Main Card: (10 pm ET/ 7 pm PT, ESPN+ pay-per-view)
Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili def. Sean O’Malley by Unanimous Decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47), wins UFC Bantamweight Championship.
Co-Main Event: Valentina Shevchenko def. Alexa Grasso by Unanimous Decision (50-45. 50-45, 50-45.) wins UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship.
Diego Lopez def. Brian Ortega by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27.)
Esteban Ribovics def. Daniel Zellhuber by Split Decision (29-28. 28-29, 29-28.)
Ronaldo Rodriguez def. Ode Osbourne by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27.)
Late Prelims: (8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT, ESPN+ and ESPNNEWS)
Featured Prelim: Norma Dumont def. Irene Aldana by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27.)
Co-Featured Prelim: Ignacio Bahamondes def. Manuel Torres by TKO (Ground and Pound) at 4:02 into Round 1.
Ketlen Souza def. Yasmin Jauregui by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 3:02 into Round 1.
Joshua Van def. Edgar Chairez by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28.)
Early Prelim: (7:30 pm ET/ 4:30 pm PT, ESPN+, ESPNNEWS, UFC Fight Pass)
Raul Rosas Jr. def. Aori Qileng by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28. 29-28.)