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Video – Merab Dvalishvili charges heckler in audience at CGI event

Video - Merab Dvalishvili charges heckler in audience at CGI event Whilst preparations are at full tilt ahead of his return at Noche UFC next month – bantamweight star, Merab…

Whilst preparations are at full tilt ahead of his return at Noche UFC next month – bantamweight star, Merab Dvalishvili could not help himself but engage with a particular fan and charge him in the audience during yesterday’s Craig Jones Invitational event in Las Vegas.

Dvalishvili, the current number one ranked bantamweight challenger, is slated to return to action in the main event of Noche UFC next month – taking on undisputed champion, Sean O’Malley in the pair’s heated grudge match at the Las Vegas Sphere.

Merab Dvalishvili calls out Sean O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch: 'He's a snake person'

And in the midst of a stunning 10-fight winning spree since he snapped a two-fight losing run, Georgian contender, Dvalishvili most recently earned an impressive decision success against former two-weight champion, Henry Cejudo in the pair’s title-eliminator back in February at UFC 298.

Merab Dvalishvili chases heckler at CGI event

Attending last night’s CGI event in ‘Sin City’ – Dvalishvili, who infamously climbed the railings and scaled the stands in pursuit of a trash-talking fan at a UFC event, took the same approach with a heckler of his overnight – grabbing him by the hat before he was corralled by security officials.

Set to sport special edition Noche UFC fight kits for his title fight against surging Montana native, O’Malley next month at UFC 306 – the Tbilisi native was engaged in a particular rivalry with the champion’s head coach, Tim Welch – whom he labelled a “snake”.

Merab Dvalishvili set to serve as backup to UFC 299 title fight main event already cutting weight — Mandatory Credit: Media News Group – Los Angles Daily News

“I have a problem with his (Sean O’Malley’s) coach, Tim (Welch),” Merab Dvalishvili said. “He was very disrespectful to me and he was doing stupid and not respectful things. Any real coach should never do that, whatever he was doing. Try do the same thing in basketball or let’s try to do the same thing in a football game. They will give you a disqualification.”

Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Sphere

“Only in the UFC can you get out of this,” Merab Dvalishvili explained. “Coach your guy, coach your fighter. Don’t be disrespectful to the opponent. What kind of people does this? Only a snake person does this.”

Backup Fighter Apparently Set For Title Bout At Sphere-Held Noche UFC On September 14

Contingency plans are in place for at least one of the championship fights set for Noche UFC at the Sphere, should there be a late-notice withdrawal. The organization will stage its second celebration of Mexican Independence Day on September 14 following the success of the inaugural event in 2023. Las Vegas will once again play […]

Continue Reading Backup Fighter Apparently Set For Title Bout At Sphere-Held Noche UFC On September 14 at MMA News.

Contingency plans are in place for at least one of the championship fights set for Noche UFC at the Sphere, should there be a late-notice withdrawal.

The organization will stage its second celebration of Mexican Independence Day on September 14 following the success of the inaugural event in 2023. Las Vegas will once again play host, but the Octagon will be in extremely different surroundings.

Instead of the T-Mobile Arena, the 2024 edition of Noche UFC (UFC 306) is set to go down inside the Sphere. For months, UFC CEO Dana White has vowed to put on a sporting spectacle like nothing seen before.

Tasked with delivering fireworks inside the cage will be the four headliners, who will look to exit the Sphere with gold in their possession. That’s bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili in the main event, while flyweight queen Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko are set to complete their trilogy in the co-headliner.

Injuries and illness forcing late-notice cancellations is never ideal, not least for an event of this magnitude. With that in mind, many have suggested that backups will likely be sought for the two bouts at the top of the lineup.

And by the sounds of things, one is locked in…

Fiorot Expected To Serve As Backup For Grasso vs. Shevchenko 3

During a recent interview with Boxemag, coach Aldric Cassata claimed that the #2-ranked Manon Fiorot has been “officially” confirmed as the backup fighter for Grasso vs. Shevchenko 3 on Sept. 14.

Should her services not be required on fight night after making championship weight, the trainer suggested “The Beast” will have the chance to cash in on her earned title shot by facing the winner either at the end of this year or early 2025.

“Manon is officially backup for the belt; she will be in Vegas,” Cassata said (h/t MMA Mania). “If there is no injury (to Grasso or Shevchenko), I think the (title fight) will be at the end of the year or the beginning of next year.”

Fiorot put herself in prime position for a first championship opportunity on MMA’s biggest stage by getting the better of the highly regarded Erin Blanchfield in the main event of the Atlantic City-held UFC Fight Night this past March.

That result moved the Frenchwoman to a 7-0 record in the UFC, following decision triumphs over the likes of Tabatha Ricci, Mayra Bueno Silva, Katlyn Cerminara, and Rose Namajunas.

It remains to be seen whether Fiorot will need to don the custom, Mexico-inspired fight kits to compete at the Sphere this fall. If not, it would appear that the Sept. 14 victor already has their next opponent set.

Read More: UFC 305: Staff Predictions For Du Plessis vs. Adesanya, Gamrot vs. Hooker, Tuivasa vs. Rozenstruik, & More

Continue Reading Backup Fighter Apparently Set For Title Bout At Sphere-Held Noche UFC On September 14 at MMA News.

UFC 306 Best Bets: Betting Preview for The Sphere

These are the UFC 306 best bets, a betting preview for the upcoming UFC event hosted at The Sphere…

These are the UFC 306 best bets, a betting preview for the upcoming UFC event hosted at The Sphere in Las Vegas. Headlining this fight card will be Sean O’Malley looking to defend his bantamweight title against the dangerous wrestler Merab Dvalishvili, and Alexa Grasso will face Valentina Shevchenko once again.

UFC 306 Best Bets

Let’s take a closer look at the betting odds for UFC 306, looking for solid favorites and live underdogs. These are the best UFC 306 picks.

Sean O’Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili

The main event will see “Suga” Sean O’Malley in his second title defense against the relentless wrestler Georgia’s Dvalishvili. O’Malley captured the title with an impressive knockout over the training partner of Dvalishvili then-champion Aljamain Sterling. Next, he defended his title, avenging a prior loss, in a dominant performance against Marlon “Chito” Vera.

“The Machine” is a fitting nickname for the Georgian-born wrestler Merab Dvalishvili. He is an aggressive wrestler who constantly pushes his opponents with takedowns and does not slow down over five rounds. With his wrestling acumen, he has cut through the stacked bantamweight division with impressive wins over Olympic wrestler Henry Cejudo, Muay Thai strikers Petr Yan & Jose Aldo, and a win over contender Marlon Moraes, among others.

It’s easy to see why Merab Dvalishvili is the betting favorite going into this fight. Against Russia’s Yan, over five rounds, Dvalishvili attempted a whopping 49 takedowns with nearly 150 significant strikes landed, attempting an incredible 400 total strikes. In his three-round fight against Olympic Gold Medal Wrestler, and former UFC champion, Henry Cejudo “The Machine” out-wrestled his opponent and had more control time plus out-landed his opponents by a factor greater than two.

Despite being the champion Sean O’Malley will be an underdog going into this match. The ruthless wrestling of the Georgian will likely be too much for the US-born fighter. “Suga” has not had to face many wrestlers in his UFC career. Typically, to avoid takedowns, O’Malley keeps his distance and looks to land punches from range. He is a sniper he packs power over all five rounds. While Dvalishvili is a safe pick, O’Malley is a live underdog.

Alexa Grasso vs Valentina Shevchenko

The co-main event of UFC 306 will see Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko face off against each other for a third time. The two just coached TUF against one another. “Bullet” Shevchenko was the long-reigning division queen having defended her title in an impressive seven bouts.

In their first meeting, Mexico’s Grasso was able to capture the division title by countering Shevchenko’s spinning backkick with a takedown and submitting her. In their second meeting, the two athletes fought to a split draw so Grasso retained the title, during a Mexican Independence Day celebration.

Given how close and well-matched these two are, the betting odds are even going into this matchup. It is too close to call for a winner and the odds are not leaning any which way. It makes it too hard to pick. Grasso has a mixed style of boxing and grappling while Shevchenko is primarily a Muay Thai striker.

Alexa Grasso faces off with Valentina Shevchenko ahead of The Ultimate Fighter 32 this summer

Raul Rosas Jr. vs Aori Qileng

At just the age of 19, Raul Rosas Jr. has put together an impressive 4-1 record thus far in the UFC. He is a hot prospect who has been booked against “The Mongolian Murderer” Aori Qileng who is 3-3 1 NC in the UFC. Overall in MMA, Qileng is a veteran with a 25-11 record.

Raul Rosas Jr. is still a developing fighter with sharp skills who is improving in between fights. Going into his UFC 306 matchup, Rosas Jr. is a betting favorite, and for good reason. The young athlete will likely earn a win and is a fairly safe bet.

Ignacio Bahamondes vs Manuel Torres

Ignacio Bahamondes vs Manuel Torres is one of the more interesting fights on UFC 306 once we look at the odds. “La Jaula” Bahamondes is a dangerous striker with some impressive head-kick knockout wins. “El Loco” Manuel Torres is on a six-fight win streak winning all of his fights by first-round stoppage, by KO/TKO, or submission.

Torres is a dangerous fighter who is in a rush to finish his opponents, nearly all of his wins have come by way of submission to KO/TKO. He will pose problems on the feet for Bahamondes, who is the more popular fighter. Bahamondes is the favorite going in but Torres might be a good pick if you’re looking for a live underdog.

UFC 306 is booked for September 14 live from Las Vegas.

Sean O’Malley vows to steal Canelo Alvarez’s thunder ahead of same night fight at Noche UFC

Both set to share the stage in ‘Sin City’ next month, undisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley has claimed fans…

Both set to share the stage in ‘Sin City’ next month, undisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley has claimed fans and pundits will likely speak more favorably about his fight with the surging, Merab Dvalishvili at Noche UFC – than Canelo Alvarez’s return against Edgar Berlanga – which happens across the road at the T-Mobile Arena on the same evening.

O’Malley, the incumbent undisputed bantamweight champion, returns to headline the massive Noche UFC card at the Las Vegas Sphere – taking on Georgian contender, Dvalishvili in a high-stakes grudge fight in Nevada.

And on the same night, super middleweight star, Canelo will put his undisputed WBA, WBC, and WBO titles on the line as he welcomes a challenge from New York in the form of the streaking, unbeaten, Berlanga.

Sean O’Malley claims he will make headlines over Canelo Alvarez

Vowing to steal both Canelo’s headlines and thunder next month in Las Vegas, Montana star, O’Malley claims fans and pundits alike will more than likely be fawning over his performance when compated to the Mexican.

“This fight, I’m feeling good as f*ck,” Sean O’Malley said on his podcast. “I love this matchup. He’s got a ten fight win streak. It’s a big fight. It’s at The Sphere. It’s in competition with boxing, which is just kinda an extra little layer.

“When it comes to Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, who are they talking about?” Sean O’Malley explained. “Are they talking about Canelo? Are they talking about the boxing fight? Or are they talking about the absolute dominating, beautiful, masterful, masterclass performance that I put on Merab and the viral knockout that came with it? Or are they talking about a 36 minutes Canelo boxing fight, that was kinda fire?”

Sean O'Malley reveals timeline for title fight with Merab Dvalishvili I'm hoping for The Sphere still — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Last featuring earlier this year in the main event of UFC 299, O’Malley most recently avenged his sole professional loss in a dominant shutout decision win over Marlon Vera in the pair’s title fight rematch.

Sean O’Malley vows to steal Canelo Alvarez’s thunder ahead of same night fight at Noche UFC

Both set to share the stage in ‘Sin City’ next month, undisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley has claimed fans…

Sean O’Malley claims he will make headlines over Canelo Alvarez

Tom Brady’s Role in Sparking Dana White’s Vision for UFC 306 at the Sphere

Tom Brady, NFL all-time great, played a piece in the UFC booking the Las Vegas Sphere for its UFC…

Tom Brady, NFL all-time great, played a piece in the UFC booking the Las Vegas Sphere for its UFC 306 event. UFC president Dana White was on the fence about this until a phone call from Tom Brady convinced him.

Tom Brady and Dana White

September 14 the UFC will host Noche UFC, a Mexican Independence Day Celebration live from the Las Vegas Sphere. It will be headlined by Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili and Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko. A stacked event with two title matches for UFC 306.

However, the UFC was originally not interested in hosting an event at The Sphere. According to Dana White, he saw a U2 concert there with his friend Tom Brady, notable for his NFL career, and then changed his mind. In an interview, he said:

“Had Tom Brady not called me and asked me to go to U2 with him, I would have never even gone to the Sphere, and would have never seen it … Every day, when I wake up, crazy s**t goes down, and we have to deal with it on the fly, and it always leads to something bigger, or some other storyline, or something crazy that goes on.”

The reason they were hesitant to book at the Sphere was because of a prior bad relationship with the company MGM. Dana White explained:

“Like, look at this thing that happened with UFC Noche. The way that this played out is we’ve been treated like absolute s**t for the last 20 years by the MGM, and because of that, they allowed (Al) Haymon, God bless him, to slide in and steal that date after I had it and I flipped out.

Football star Tom Brady is certainly a long-time fan of the UFC and a friend of Dana White. When all-time great Jon Jones was making his heavyweight debut, Tom Brady sent him a message and said:

“Hey, Jon. I wanted to say welcome back to the main stage. It’s great to see the GOAT doing what he does best and doing what he’s meant to do. So I thought seven titles was a lot, you’ve doubled it, man! I know tonight’s not gonna be easy, Ciryl Gane standing on the other side of that octagon, he’s a bad man. It’s gonna be an incredible fight, Dana knows how to put on a great show, as always, and I wouldn’t miss this one for the world.”