Tag: Riyadh Season Noche UFC

VIDEO: Sean O’Malley & Merab Dvalishvili Go Back & Forth While Face To Face For UFC 306 Promo

The lead-up to Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili’s UFC 306/Noche UFC headliner at the Sphere in September looks set to be a heated one. Mixed martial arts’ premier organization will stage its second celebration of Mexican Independence Day on September 14. Las Vegas is once again the host venue, but the Octagon will be in […]

Continue Reading VIDEO: Sean O’Malley & Merab Dvalishvili Go Back & Forth While Face To Face For UFC 306 Promo at MMA News.

The lead-up to Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili’s UFC 306/Noche UFC headliner at the Sphere in September looks set to be a heated one.

Mixed martial arts’ premier organization will stage its second celebration of Mexican Independence Day on September 14. Las Vegas is once again the host venue, but the Octagon will be in significantly different surroundings this time around.

Instead of the T-Mobile Arena, the 2024 edition of Noche UFC will take place inside the unique Sphere venue. For months now, UFC CEO Dana White has promised a sporting spectacle like nothing seen before.

Tasked with delivering on that with blockbuster action inside the cage are headliners O’Malley and Dvalishvili, who will collide with the former’s bantamweight championship on the line in the main event.

The pair have long gone back and forth over their matchup, and that trend shows no sign of waning as UFC 306 approaches…

O’Malley, Dvalishvili Trade Barbs Over Coach Altercation

“Sugar” and his Georgian challenger recently shared the same space to complete a promotional shoot for the highly anticipated Sphere show.

Unsurprisingly, things threatened to boil over. And as O’Malley and Dvalishvili exchanged words, their fellow UFC 306 fighter Alexa Grasso reveled in the tension…

The point of discussion appeared to surround an altercation between Dvalishvili and O’Malley’s head coach Tim Welch back in May. The incident also involved Aljamain Sterling, who had accused the trainer of heckling him from the corner during his title defeat to “Sugar” last August.

“I will smash O’Malley inside the cage and then smash his coach outside of the cage,” Dvalishvili said.

O’Malley told his upcoming opponent to follow through on his threats.

“If you have a problem with him, you can take it up with him. He’ll fight you. If that’s what you want. After the fight, you should definitely try to smack his face. You should definitely try that. That would be funny. You should try that.”

When Dvalishvili said he was hoping to catch up with Welch on the streets, O’Malley once again welcomed that possiblity.

“You could street fight him. I’d love to see that. You want to die? Is that what you’re saying? He’ll kill you.”

Continue Reading VIDEO: Sean O’Malley & Merab Dvalishvili Go Back & Forth While Face To Face For UFC 306 Promo at MMA News.

Alexa Grasso & Diego Lopes Fights Confirmed For Noche UFC Main Card At The Sphere

Mexican fan favorites Alexa Grasso and Diego Lopes will get their expected appearances at the high-profile Noche UFC event at the Sphere this Fall. After its successful inaugural celebration of Mexican Independence Day last September, Las Vegas will once again play host to the UFC’s festivities for the occasion in 2024, this time at a […]

Continue Reading Alexa Grasso & Diego Lopes Fights Confirmed For Noche UFC Main Card At The Sphere at MMA News.

Mexican fan favorites Alexa Grasso and Diego Lopes will get their expected appearances at the high-profile Noche UFC event at the Sphere this Fall.

After its successful inaugural celebration of Mexican Independence Day last September, Las Vegas will once again play host to the UFC’s festivities for the occasion in 2024, this time at a grander venue.

Instead of the T-Mobile Arena, this year’s iteration of Noche UFC will play out inside the Sphere in the form of UFC 306. Ever since vowing to stage the first live sporting event there, UFC CEO Dana White has promised a first-of-a-kind event that will leave the fanbase in awe.

And as the September 14 date fast approaches, the UFC 306 lineup has taken shape.

White revealed the main card in a social media video this week, confirming that Sean O’Malley will defend his bantamweight title in the main event opposite Merab Dvalishvili.

There will also be championship stakes in the co-headliner, as Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko complete their trilogy a year on from their Noche UFC main event concluding in a controversial draw.

Lopes, Grasso’s teammate and jiu-jitsu coach, also has a major assignment set for the Sphere. The rising featherweight was expected to feature on the card following his latest triumph at UFC 303 last month.

The Mexico-residing Brazilian got the better of Dan Ige in a same-day booking that came about following the late withdrawal of Brian Ortega due to illness.

For Noche UFC on Sept. 14, those two will attempt for their matchup to make it to the Octagon at the second time of trying, with the promotion opting to rebook Lopes against “T-City” despite talk of the former featherweight title challenger moving up in weight.

Joining those three fights on the main card will be two more Mexicans in Daniel Zellhuber and Ronaldo Rodriguez, who will share the cage with Esteban Ribovics and Ode’ Osbourne, respectively.

Meanwhile, you can check out the current fights expected to take place on the preliminary card below:

  • Manuel Torres vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
  • Irene Aldana vs. Norma Dumont
  • Edgar Chairez vs. Kevin Borjas
  • Yazmin Jáuregui vs. Ketlen Souza
  • Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Aoriqileng

Continue Reading Alexa Grasso & Diego Lopes Fights Confirmed For Noche UFC Main Card At The Sphere at MMA News.

Bantamweight Prospect Raul Rosas Jr. Becomes Latest Added To UFC 306 Card At The Sphere

The next UFC bout for Raul Rosas Jr. will take place at The Sphere in Las Vegas, as the bantamweight top prospect will be featured at Noche UFC for the second straight year. As announced by his management team, Iridium Sports Agency, Rosas Jr. will take on Aoriqileng at UFC 306 on September 14. Rosas […]

Continue Reading Bantamweight Prospect Raul Rosas Jr. Becomes Latest Added To UFC 306 Card At The Sphere at MMA News.

The next UFC bout for Raul Rosas Jr. will take place at The Sphere in Las Vegas, as the bantamweight top prospect will be featured at Noche UFC for the second straight year.

As announced by his management team, Iridium Sports Agency, Rosas Jr. will take on Aoriqileng at UFC 306 on September 14.

Rosas Jr. was in action just last month at UFC Fight Night Louisville, defeating Ricky Turcios. It was the 19-year-old’s first fight since competing on the inaugural Noche UFC card in September 2023, where he needed just 54 seconds to finish Terrence Mitchell.

“El Niño Problema” is 3-1 in the UFC since earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Raul Rosas Jr. To Face Aoriqileng At Noche UFC 2

Aoriqileng, meanwhile, was last in action this past February, with an unintentional groin strike resulting in his fight with Daniel Marcos ending in a No Contest. He has won three of his last five fights.

UFC 306, branded as “Riyadh Season Noche UFC 2,” is expected to be headlined by Sean O’Malley defending the bantamweight championship against Merab Dvalishvili.

Also expected for the card is the next women’s flyweight title defense for champion Alexa Grasso. She’s long been expected to face divisional legend Valentina Shevchenko following their stint as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter this year. After Grasso’s upset win at UFC 285, the two headlined last year’s Noche UFC card, with their main event ending in a controversial draw.

UFC CEO Dana White told Pat McAfee recently that UFC 306, a one-time UFC event to be held at the new Sphere in Vegas, is expected to have 10 fights booked for it.

Continue Reading Bantamweight Prospect Raul Rosas Jr. Becomes Latest Added To UFC 306 Card At The Sphere at MMA News.

Jonathan Martinez Calls For Dominick Cruz Sphere Showdown After Taking Issue With His Commentary

Jonathan Martinez has a bone to pick with former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, one that he wants to settle in the unique surroundings of the Sphere this fall. Martinez is on the hunt for his next assignment on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage following a disappointing night at the office in Rio de Janeiro, […]

Continue Reading Jonathan Martinez Calls For Dominick Cruz Sphere Showdown After Taking Issue With His Commentary at MMA News.

Jonathan Martinez has a bone to pick with former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, one that he wants to settle in the unique surroundings of the Sphere this fall.

Martinez is on the hunt for his next assignment on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage following a disappointing night at the office in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this past May, where he fell to defeat at the hands of the returning José Aldo in the UFC 301 co-main event.

Having risen into the rankings at 135 pounds courtesy of six straight wins following a knockout loss to Davey Grant, Martinez looked to ride the momentum from victories over Cub Swanson, Said Nurmagomedov, and Adrian Yañez into his showdown with the UFC legend.

Unfortunately for the #14-ranked contender, he was convincingly outpointed at Jeunesse Arena, and he subsequently had to watch on as Aldo returned to the top 10 spot he had desired.

A couple of months on, the Factory X standout is looking ahead to his opportunity to bounce back, and he hopes it’ll come against another prominent name in the sport…

Martinez Was ‘Never A Fan’ Of Cruz

During an interview with MMA Junkie at UFC X during International Fight Week, Martinez reflected on his setback in South America and named his preferred option moving forward.

After outlining his desire to join the lineup for the upcoming pay-per-view event at Las Vegas’ Sphere on September 14, Martinez pitched former champion Dominick Cruz as the ideal opponent.

Explaining that choice, the 30-year-old Californian said he’s been noting some frustrating remarks from “The Dominator” while he’s been commentating over his fights in recent times.

“I want to be on that (Sphere) card in September,” Martinez said. “I want to be on that card, and I’ve been hearing Dominick Cruz wants to fight on that date, too. Hopefully they give me him. I just hear him every time I fight he’s always saying, ‘I don’t know why they don’t check Jonathan’s kicks.’ Put him in front of me and let him do that and see what happens.”

While analyzing his defeat to Aldo, Martinez admitted that he was somewhat starstruck by the “King of Rio” on May 4. Suffice to say, he wouldn’t have that issue should he be stood across from Cruz inside the cage down the line…

“I was never a fan. He was just there to me.”

The promotion is set to stage its second Mexican Independence Day celebration, titled Riyadh Season Noche UFC, from the Sphere on September 14.

While nothing major has been announced toward the top of the card to date, the likes of Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez, Yazmin Jauregui, and Edgar Cháirez are among the names with reported matchups for the lineup thus far.

Continue Reading Jonathan Martinez Calls For Dominick Cruz Sphere Showdown After Taking Issue With His Commentary at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Official For Noche UFC Main Event At The Sphere

Sean O’Malley’s bantamweight championship will be on the line when mixed martial arts’ leading promotion arrives at the Sphere for UFC 306 on September 14. The promotion will stage its sophomore celebration of Mexican Independence Day on September 14. While Las Vegas is once again the host destination, the Octagon will be in a much […]

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Official For Noche UFC Main Event At The Sphere at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley’s bantamweight championship will be on the line when mixed martial arts’ leading promotion arrives at the Sphere for UFC 306 on September 14.

The promotion will stage its sophomore celebration of Mexican Independence Day on September 14. While Las Vegas is once again the host destination, the Octagon will be in a much different environment this time around.

Instead of the T-Mobile Arena for the second straight year, the 2024 edition of Noche UFC is set to go down inside the unique Sphere venue. In the lead-up, UFC CEO Dana White has promised a spectacle like nothing seen before.

And he confirmed this week that O’Malley will be tasked with closing it out in defense of his belt opposite Merab Dvalishvili. White announced the expected news in a video uploaded to the UFC’s social media accounts on Friday night.

O’Malley Targets Second Successful Defense At The Expense Of Dvalishvili

When the pair share the Octagon inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere, O’Malley will be looking to make Dvalishvili the second victim of his title reign.

O’Malley (18-1, 1 NC) captured the 135-pound gold in memorable fashion last August, concluding the Boston-held UFC 292 pay-per-view event with a shocking second-round knockout of longtime champ Aljamain Sterling. The result brought “Funk Master’s” record-breaking rule to an end and set up the chance for his teammate to avenge the setback.

While he’s had to wait for “Sugar” to settle unfinished business with Marlon Vera at UFC 299 in Miami this past March, Dvalishvili (17-4) finally has his first shot at title glory in mixed martial arts booked in.

The Georgian has had to win 10 straight fights and go unbeaten since 2018 to make it happen. He’s most recently defeated three former champs, getting the better of José Aldo, Petr Yan, and Henry Cejudo on the scorecards to leave no doubt about his status as the unrivaled number one bantamweight contender.

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Official For Noche UFC Main Event At The Sphere at MMA News.

Michel Pereira Reveals UFC Return At The Sphere On September 14

The lineup for what is expected to be a blockbuster UFC pay-per-view at Las Vegas’ Sphere is expected to come together soon, and it appears one of the first names added to the card is the electrifying Michel Pereira. The event — originally titled UFC 306 but now set as “Riyadh Season Noche UFC” — […]

Continue Reading Michel Pereira Reveals UFC Return At The Sphere On September 14 at MMA News.

The lineup for what is expected to be a blockbuster UFC pay-per-view at Las Vegas’ Sphere is expected to come together soon, and it appears one of the first names added to the card is the electrifying Michel Pereira.

The event — originally titled UFC 306 but now set as “Riyadh Season Noche UFC” — will be the promotion’s second celebration of Mexican Independence Day. While the first at T-Mobile Arena was a successful occasion last September, the mixed martial arts leader is looking to go above and beyond this time around.

On September 14, live sporting action will go down inside the Sphere for the very first time. Ever since confirming the venue for the second instalment of Noche UFC, Dana White has promised fireworks in an unforgettable night.

And when it comes to that level of excitement, you could do worse than having Michel Pereira making the walk…

Pereira & ‘Fluffy’ Hernandez Set For Sphere Showcase

The promotion has been tight-lipped thus far when it comes to which athletes will make the walk inside the Sphere, but Pereira appears to have let slip his inclusion.

In a post on Instagram, the #13-ranked middleweight uploaded an image of his in-game character on UFC 5 facing off with the man directly below him on the 185-pound ladder, Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez.

In the caption, “Demolidor” revealed that he’s set to share the Octagon with the fan favorite on September 14.

“HERE WE GOOOO !! September 14th the Sphere Las Vegas will be LIT,” Pereira wrote, translated from Portuguese. “And Carrapato Hernandez is going to meet the Revestrés and Smoke Mix!! Michel Pereira x Anthony Hernandez!! HERE WE GO!!

Pereira (31-11, 2 NC) was most recently in action on home soil at UFC 301, where he thrilled the Rio de Janeiro crowd with a 54-second finish of Ihor Potieria. The result marked the Brazilian’s third straight win since returning to middleweight, with all three equalling just 3 minutes and one second of Octagon time.

Hernandez (12-2, 1 NC), meanwhile, has risen into the top 15 courtesy of five consecutive wins since a loss to Kevin Holland in 2020. That run started with a memorable submission of Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Rodolfo Vieira and most recently saw “Fluffy” force a tap from Roman Kopylov at UFC 298 in Anaheim this past February.

Continue Reading Michel Pereira Reveals UFC Return At The Sphere On September 14 at MMA News.