UFC 306 goes down this weekend live from The Sphere in Las Vegas. The headline, co-main event, and third fight on the main card are all eye-catching, and aside from one or two other highlights, the card is weak overall. The UFC is certainly playing up to it taking place on Mexican Independence Weekend, with a Mexican feel up and down the card, however, as far as megastars or recognisable, household names are concerned, it’s thin.
It’s the fight week we’ve all been waiting for! 🌞#UFC306 LIVE from @SphereVegas
[ @RiyadhSeason #NocheUFC | 10pmET/7pmPT | B2YB @BudLight ] pic.twitter.com/T6p2LBpJfh
— UFC (@ufc) September 9, 2024
Bantamweights take Top Billing
There’s little denying that at the top of the card, headlining the event is the best fight on the card. A bantamweight title clash between the champion, Sean O’Malley and the challenger, Merab Dvalishvili has fans salivating due to an interesting clash of styles, the clear needle between the two men and the questions that each man poses for the other man to answer. Someone’s unbeaten streak has to go, with O’Malley undefeated in seven, including two title fights. Dvalishvili is enjoying a 10 fight winning run, of which just one was a main event, against former champion, Petr Yan.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 13: UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley (L) and Merab Dvalishvili face off during a ceremonial weigh-in at Sphere on September 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. O’Malley is scheduled to defend his title against Dvalishvili at UFC 306 on September 14 at Sphere. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
There’s little to no doubt that the two men have vastly different styles, with O’Malley being a legitimate one-punch knockout artist and his Georgian opponent being a relentless wrestler. The interesting thing is, each man’s potential weakness is the other man’s strength. Dvalishvili often wades in without much consideration for defence, whereas there’s potential that, in a fast paced fight, O’Malley can struggle with the pace (just look at his fight with Petr Yan). Whatever happens, it’s certainly going to be exciting.
Flyweight Trilogy
What can we write about this fight that hasn’t already been written. Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko meet in their third fight with Grasso picking up the victory in their first fight and the two women fighting to a draw in their rematch. This one is slightly different as the two women have competed against each other on the most recent series of The Ultimate Fighter and therefore they are far more familiar with each other than they were previously.
It’s boxing vs muay Thai with each woman having plenty of data on her opponent from their two previous bouts. What will change and has anyone added anything to their game? Only time will tell.
Second Time Lucky
Ranked featherweights meet on the main card as Diego Lopes and Brian Ortega meet in an exciting clash. This fight was originally scheduled for UFC 303, however, despite making weight (after the fight was moved up to lightweight), Ortega wasn’t able to make the walk to the octagon and Dan Ige saved Lopes’ place on the card by stepping in on four hours notice.
Unfortunately for everyone, a little of the allure has gone from the fight itself. Lopes was on a hot streak, blitzing everyone in his way. Finishing three straight and featuring on the blockbuster UFC 300, Lopes put in a bit of a lacklustre performance against Ige. He looked tired and easily hit late on. Granted, he also took the fight on four hours’ notice, so we can’t read too much into it.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) Opponents Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes of Brazil face off during the UFC 306 at Riyadh Season Noche UFC press conference at Sphere on September 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
This is undoubtedly the toughest test of the Mexican’s career thusfar and for Ortega, it’s an opportunity to steal Lopes’ hype as well as putting together back to back wins for the first time since 2017/2018.
Notable Highlights
There’s no denying that the card is certainly top heavy. The inclusion of two title fights certainly highlight that. With that being said, there are a few household names and recognisable highlights further down the card.
The young Mexican future superstar, Raul Rosas Jr makes his fifth walk to the octagon at just 19 years of age. He mixes it up with the extremely experienced Aoriqileng. the Mongolian Murderer has 36 professional fights in comparison to Rosas Jr’s 10.
Mexican former title challenger, Irene Aldana returns to action looking to go on yet another title push as she takes on Brazil’s Norma Dumont. Aldana made her way to the pinnacle of the sport, however, lost out to Amanda Nunes when the women clashed at UFC 289. Dumont has switched between bantamweight and featherweight but last time out at bantamweight dominated Germaine de Randamie, extending her winning run to four straight. The winner of this one positions herself in the title picture for sure.
The always exciting, Ignacio Bahamondes looks for his second win of 2024 as he clashes with Manuel Torres. Joshua Van looks to bounce back from a disappointing loss last time out as he meets Edgar Chairez on short notice. Esteban Ribovics is also featured on the main card.
