Tag: UFC 306

Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko and more added to UFC 306

Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko and more added to UFC 306An undisputed flyweight championship fight between the incumbent gold holder, Alexa Grasso, and former dominant titleholder, Valentina Shevchenko is…

Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko and more added to UFC 306

An undisputed flyweight championship fight between the incumbent gold holder, Alexa Grasso, and former dominant titleholder, Valentina Shevchenko is officially slated to take co-headlining honors at UFC 306 on September 14. from The Las Vegas Sphere in Nevada later this annum.

Grasso, the current undisputed flyweight champion, will share the Octagon with Shevchenko for the third time consecutively, following a prior Noche UFC headliner back in September of last year, with the duo fighting to a controversial split decision draw.

Alexa Grasso picked as better fighter over Valentina Shevchenko ahead of UFC title rematch
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Alexa Grasso set to fight Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 306

FIrst matching back in March of last year in the co-main event of UFC 285, Jalisco native, Alexa Grasso turned in a stunning upset win over dominant gold holder, Shevchenko, snatching the flyweight championship with a shocking fourth round face crank submission win. 

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

And overnight, promotional CEO, Dana White confirmed how The Ultimate Fighter 32 rivals, Grasso and Shevchenko will share the Octagon in a trilogy fight at Noche UFC in two months time – with the flyweight crown once more up for grabs.

Along with the inclusion of a flyweight title fight, Noche UFC will feature an undisputed bantamweight championship pairing of Montana striker, Sean O’Malley – who looks to rack up his second successful title defense in a pairing with the surging Georgian force, Merab Dvalishvili.

Furthermore, also landing on the main card following the rescheduling of a pairing between Michel Pereira, and Anthony Hernandez – former featherweight championship challenger, Brian Ortega has been booked once more to take on Diego Lopes – following their failed pairing at UFC 303 last month. 

Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Sphere

During her run as undisputed flyweight champion, Kyrgyzstan native, Shevchenko turned in a record-setting reign at 125lbs, successfully defending the title on seven separate occasions.

Following a vacant championship win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Shevchenko turned in wins over Jessica Eye, Liz Carmouche, Katlyn Cerminara, Jennifer Maia, Jessica Andrade, Lauren Murphy, and Taila Santos. 

Who wins in their trilogy fight: Alexa Grasso or Valentina Shevchenko?

Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili booked for Noche UFC 306 Headliner

Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili SphereSean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili has been booked as the UFC 306 main event for UFC Noche on September…

Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Sphere

Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili has been booked as the UFC 306 main event for UFC Noche on September 14. The headlining fight will see the bantamweight title on the line, live from The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306

Georgia’s Merab Dvalishvili is a relentless wrestler who has carved through the competitive bantamweight division in the UFC. On his way to the top ‘The Machine’ has defeated former champions such as Henry Cejudo, Petr Yan, and José Aldo. Since making his debut in 2017, Dvalishvili has become one of the top takedown athletes in the UFC. With Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306, the Georgian athlete is looking to avenge his teammate Aljamain Sterling

‘Funkmaster’ Aljamain Sterling was the bantamweight champion until he lost the title via knockout to ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley. Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili is a battle of the two top fighters in the division as well as a clash of styles. This is a wrestler facing a slick striker.

The US-born Sean O’Malley is a popular figure among MMA fans having won the vast majority of his fights by way of knockout. Often, he will wear colorful hair, paired with colorful clothing, to stand out among his peers. Thus far in his UFC career, he has defeated notable fighters such as Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera, Petr Yan, and the aforementioned Aljamain Sterling.

Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili has been booked for UFC 306 on September 14, part of UFC Noche, it will be broadcast live from The Sphere in Las Vegas.

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.

Report: UFC Expected To Choose O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili For Sphere Main Event Over Topuria vs. Holloway

Should current plans come to fruition, the bantamweight gold will be on the line at the Sphere-held Noche UFC event this fall. The promotion will stage its sophomore celebration of Mexican Independance Day on September 14. While Las Vegas is once again the host destination, the Octagon will be in much different surroundings this time […]

Continue Reading Report: UFC Expected To Choose O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili For Sphere Main Event Over Topuria vs. Holloway at MMA News.

Should current plans come to fruition, the bantamweight gold will be on the line at the Sphere-held Noche UFC event this fall.

The promotion will stage its sophomore celebration of Mexican Independance Day on September 14. While Las Vegas is once again the host destination, the Octagon will be in much different surroundings 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.

That hype initially left many predicting a stacked lineup to mark the occasion, but it seems those wishing for two blockbuster championship fights at the top of the lineup won’t be getting their wish granted…

Helwani Dismisses Talk Of Both O’Malley & Topuria Defending Titles At The Sphere

While Alexa Grasso’s second defense of the flyweight title has long been expected high up the card, there’s been considerable uncertainty when it comes to the other major matchups.

Most notably, champions Sean O’Malley and Ilia Topuria have gone back and forth with their respective expected next challengers, Merab Dvalishvili and Max Holloway, over potential Sphere battles.

Talk of both bouts taking place on September 14 picked up following comments on the official French-Canadian broadcast of this past weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Denver.

Unfortunately, it appears that one of those pairings won’t feature at the Sphere.

During a recent episode of his show, The MMA Hour, host Helwani provided an update on the UFC’s fall plans and addressed the rumors floating around regarding the Sphere-held pay-per-view.

“The plan was always the Grasso title defense…and then the plan has for some time been ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley vs. Merab,” Helwani said. “Now, both fights aren’t official just yet. They haven’t been signed. But that has been the plan.

“If they did go with that fight, then the other plan would be Ilia vs. Max most likely on the October 5 Utah card (UFC 307), which hasn’t been officially announced yet. Also on that card, we suspect, Julianna Peña vs. Raquel Pennington,” Helwani continued. “Can’t imagine they would put a Spaniard on a Noche UFC card.”

This week also saw White provide additional details on the event, revealing that the plan is for just 10 fights to take place during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

He also claimed the cost has already exceeded $17 million, supporting Helwani’s mention of finances as the reason why neither the possibility of Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler nor a three title fight card were entertained.

Continue Reading Report: UFC Expected To Choose O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili For Sphere Main Event Over Topuria vs. Holloway at MMA News.

Michael Chandler offers to take on Nate Diaz in Sphere return at UFC 306: ‘We’ll fight like real men’

Michael Chandler offers to take on Nate Diaz at UFC 306 we'll fight like real menSeeing a long-anticipated grudge match with ex-champion, Conor McGregor shelved late last month, Michael Chandler appears to be welcoming…

Michael Chandler offers to take on Nate Diaz at UFC 306 we'll fight like real men

Seeing a long-anticipated grudge match with ex-champion, Conor McGregor shelved late last month, Michael Chandler appears to be welcoming all comers next – now offering to take on Nate Diaz at the Las Vegas Sphere in the main event of UFC 306.

Chandler, who currently holds the number six ranked lightweight challenger, has been sidelined for the last two years from the Octagon, dropping a third round rear-naked choke submission defeat to Dustin Poirier at Madison Square Garden back in 2022.

chandler ufc 274

As for Diaz, the UFC veteran made his return to combat sports over the course of last weekend in his native California, taking on fellow promotional alum, Jorge Masvidal in a professional boxing rematch, taking home a close majority decision win over the course of 10 rounds in Anaheim. 

And remaining committed in his pursuit to take on McGregor following his exit from a UFC 303 comeback at the end of last month, Chandler claimed he was confident a grudge match with the Dubliner will happen “quicker” than critics think.

Michael Chandler addresses failed Conor McGregor fight at UFC 303 he was never the safe bet

“It’s a bitter sweet weekend, but we’re having a good time, and we should hopefully be off hiatus quicker than people think,” Michael Chandler said. “I’ll tell you what, I do love to fight, but I am a very patient man. And luckily, my life is such that I have done so many things outside of just fighting that I’ve been able to sit out, be patient, still got work outside fighting. [I] stayed busy the last year and a half, and this one didn’t come to fruition.”

“We’re gonna stay patient – we’re not gonna let him (Conor McGregor) off the hook,” Michael Chandler explained. “I like to say, ‘We’re not gonna let him off the hook.’ Talks are happening between me and the UFC, I’m meeting with them tonight actually. I know Conor is gonna be ready to come back soon, ‘cause it’s just a pinky toe {injury), so we’ll see.”

Michael Chandler offers to fight Nate Diaz

However, with a bout still stuck on skids amid McGregor’s latest family vacation to Switzerland, Chandler has offered to take on Diaz in a massive showdown at Noche UFC in two months time.

UFC warned it'll cost millions and millions for Nate Diaz to return he's an icon

“Sit down, Ron…,” Michael Chandler replied to a user on his official X account. “Better idea – me and @NateDiaz209 fight like two men while Conor sits on a yacht and watches on PPV in his slippers. #ufcnoche #riyadhseason”

Would you like to see Michael Chandler take on Nate Diaz next?