Tag: UFC 306

Jon Anik Outlines ‘Silver Lining’ For The UFC After Sean O’Malley’s Title Loss

Play-by-play commentator Jon Anik thinks one recent revelation may have boosted the UFC’s spirits following the unseating of Sean O’Malley from the bantamweight throne. O’Malley’s reign came to an emphatic halt at the hands of Merab Dvalishvili earlier this month when the pair headlined the UFC 306 (Noche UFC) pay-per-view event inside the Sphere. The […]

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Play-by-play commentator Jon Anik thinks one recent revelation may have boosted the UFC’s spirits following the unseating of Sean O’Malley from the bantamweight throne.

O’Malley’s reign came to an emphatic halt at the hands of Merab Dvalishvili earlier this month when the pair headlined the UFC 306 (Noche UFC) pay-per-view event inside the Sphere.

The Georgian challenger closed out the Mexican Independence Day celebration by utilizing his renowned cardio and grappling prowess en route to a convincing unanimous decision triumph over “Suga.”

That result saw O’Malley’s divisional rule end in his second defense, six months on from his first opposite Marlon “Chito” Vera in Miami. In the eyes of some, “The Machine” played spoiler for the UFC’s plan to ascend O’Malley to superstar status.

Anik, however, has explained why the organization may not be as down on the Montana native’s loss as many would expect…

Anik: UFC Avoided Possible Interim Title Scenario With O’Malley Defeat

During a recent interview with MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck, Anik reflected on the UFC’s debut event inside the Sphere on September 14, paying particular attention to the result that closed out the show.

Anik appeared to acknowledge that Dvalishvili’s win was perhaps not the outcome favored by the promotion at the time. But with the revelation regarding “Suga’s” injury — a torn labrum that requires surgery — the commentator suggested that the title changing hands could be a blessing in disguise for the UFC.

“I think the good news if you’re looking for a silver lining for the UFC is that had Sean won this fight, maybe this hip injury would have had to be repaired anyway, right?” Anik said. “And then you wonder if you need an interim champion. So I think right now, your new champion is pretty durable and willing to take on all challengers.

“And a murderers’ row, of course, awaits Sean O’Malley with the Cory Sandhagens of all the world and everybody else,” Anik continued. “There are a lot of dream-type matchups at ’35 for fight fans, right? Even Sean O’Malley and Dominick Cruz makes some semblance of sense right now. So there’s a lot of different fights at ’35 that make a lot of sense.”

It remains to be seen when O’Malley will have his chance to bounce back inside the cage, with the former champ himself giving timelines ranging from eight months to a full one-year layoff.

But throughout his stint on the sidelines, it would appear that fans are set to see plenty more social media posts claiming victory over Dvalishvili — and alongside that, plenty of X community notes…

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Sandhagen Gives Verdict On ‘Chess Match’ Between Dvalishvili & O’Malley

The UFC 306 main event may not have been received that well by some sections of the fanbase but it did see the bantamweight title change hands. Merab Dvalishvili appeared to be in control for the vast majority of the fight against Sean O’Malley, even if the scorecards tell a different story. Though “Suga” was […]

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The UFC 306 main event may not have been received that well by some sections of the fanbase but it did see the bantamweight title change hands.

Merab Dvalishvili appeared to be in control for the vast majority of the fight against Sean O’Malley, even if the scorecards tell a different story.

Though “Suga” was able to hurt his challenger in the fifth and final round, Dvalishvili’s movement, takedowns and reading of the fight were very effective.

His performance massively impressed the #4-ranked contender Cory Sandhagen who, since the fight, has called next to face O’Malley.

Cory Sandhagen Gives His Post-Fight Analysis Of UFC 306 Main Event

In a recent interview with James Lynch for Fanatics View, Sandhagen gave his thoughts on this past weekend’s bantamweight title fight.

He started by saying that his prediction for the fight had switched as the fight approached, after further consideration.

“I thought O’Malley was going to catch him until I started getting a little bit closer to the fight and I started talking to other people and getting their opinions and what they thought and blah, blah, blah. I was honestly, and not to change my mind because I’m really bad at calling fights, but I did change my mind in this one and go Merab toward the end of it.

“Once I started to reflect on how badass it is to go on a 10 or 11 fight win streak and then also never be finished or anything like that, even though he does get clipped in some of his fights, the shots that he got clipped in weren’t necessarily, like they were lead hooks, they weren’t really things that O’Malley even throws, but I thought Merab did awesome.”

One of the aspects of the fight that Sandhagen was most impressed by was Dvalishvili’s ability to close the distance and shoot for takedowns without putting himself in harm’s way.

This was always going to be where O’Malley was at his most dangerous but it didn’t end up playing into the outcome.

“I thought he fought the fight that you should fight if you have Merab’s skill set against O’Malley. I think he moved when he needed to move. The thing that I was most worried about is Merab’s just a very excitable guy and I was worried that he was gonna not be patient and he was going to bounce around and then make a mistake by going in and he was completely patient. He was cool in there, expect for the whole Tim Welch and his thing in the beginning of the fight but man, he just did such an amazing job and that’s a really, really good win because O’Malley is a really serious fighter.”

Finally, “The Sandman” said that he enjoyed watching this high-stakes clash at the Sphere despite some of the criticisms that it received from fans.

“I know that a lot of fans were bored with that one or whatever but I really do like watching chess matches and I think that that was Merab just out-chessing O’Malley and that was exciting for me to watch.”

Read also: ‘His Corner Work Was S**t’ – Former UFC Champ Goes Off On Sean O’Malley’s Coach For Merab Dvalishvili Loss

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Michael ‘Venom’ Page Bemoans Sean O’Malley’s Lack Of ‘Killer Instinct’ After Hurting Merab Dvalishvili

UFC welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page believes Sean O’Malley failed to capitalize on an opening at the end of his recent title loss. O’Malley saw his reign as bantamweight kingpin come to an emphatic end at this past weekend’s UFC 306 (Noche UFC) pay-per-view, which he headlined alongside Merab Dvalishvili inside Las Vegas’ Sphere. Having […]

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UFC welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page believes Sean O’Malley failed to capitalize on an opening at the end of his recent title loss.

O’Malley saw his reign as bantamweight kingpin come to an emphatic end at this past weekend’s UFC 306 (Noche UFC) pay-per-view, which he headlined alongside Merab Dvalishvili inside Las Vegas’ Sphere.

Having unseated Aljamain Sterling from the throne last year and dominated Marlon Vera in his first defense this past March, “Suga” was unable to repeat the feat against “The Machine,” who put in a dominant performance across five rounds to take the decision.

While predictions of a Dvalishvili win were common in the lead-up, many appeared to expect a more competitive display from O’Malley. And one of his UFC peers thinks he let opportunities to change the tide in the fight slip by.

Page Visibly Frustrated At O’Malley’s Striking Approach At UFC 306

During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Page reacted to the two championship headliners that went down inside the Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

The former Bellator title challenger and current UFC welterweight contender broke down the action, paying particularly close attention to how O’Malley approached things in his favored realm on the feet.

“MVP” shared plenty of advice that might have been useful to the defending champ throughout the bout’s duration, but he appeared especially puzzled by what he witnessed after O’Malley hurt Dvalishvili to the body late on in the final round.

“He should be tagging his leg even now. Tag his leg, land a jab, tag his body, land a jab,” Page said while watching O’Malley’s work in round five. “You can’t just do one (attack), you’ve got to go again! I think he’s just too tired. … Teep him, kick him. Now hands as well, you need to mix it all up.

“Look, how do you throw one shot and then let him move?! It don’t make sense,” Page continued, just before O’Malley hurt Dvalishvili to the body. “Oh! No! Why would you do that (spinning kick)! … Yes, go again, go again. Look, (Dvalishvili’s) desperate now. This is where he was gonna catch him but I think he’s left it too late. … What are you doing, man?! Bro, you’ve got to have a bit more killer instinct, man.”

While those close to O’Malley suggested he looked off, “Suga” has dismissed any and all excuses and simply admitted he was beaten on the night.

He’ll now focus on his recovery as he looks toward surgery on a torn labrum in the coming weeks. Beyond that, the now-former champ seems to be targeting a comeback in the second half of 2025.

Continue Reading Michael ‘Venom’ Page Bemoans Sean O’Malley’s Lack Of ‘Killer Instinct’ After Hurting Merab Dvalishvili at MMA News.

Former UFC Champ Says Herb Dean Officiated ‘Like He Had Money On O’Malley’ At UFC 306

Count former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw among those confused by Herb Dean’s actions in this past weekend’s main event. The veteran official was tasked with being the third man inside the Octagon for the Noche UFC (UFC 306) headliner inside the Sphere, where Sean O’Malley put his 135-pound gold on the line against Merab […]

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Count former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw among those confused by Herb Dean’s actions in this past weekend’s main event.

The veteran official was tasked with being the third man inside the Octagon for the Noche UFC (UFC 306) headliner inside the Sphere, where Sean O’Malley put his 135-pound gold on the line against Merab Dvalishvili.

Dean wasn’t short on involvement early on, with a war of words between the challenger and coach Tim Welch in O’Malley’s corner forcing his intervention, shortly followed by a warning to “The Machine” for repeatedly kissing the defending champ’s back while in control of him on the ground.

Later in the fight, the referee featured in a different way as he frequently called for more action while Dvalishvili held a dominant grappling position.

While that was enough to cause debate, Dean’s decision to do the same while the pair were on the feet in the main event’s dying seconds saw him become the subject of heavy criticism from the commentary team and fans online.

Dillashaw Slams Dean For UFC 306 Main Event Refereeing: ‘Shouldn’t Be Involved Like That’

During a recent episode of the JAXXON PODCAST, Dillashaw looked back on the events that unfolded inside the Sphere alongside Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Luke Rockhold, and Jason Parillo.

The former UFC bantamweight champion was firm with his criticism of the third man inside the cage for Saturday’s headliner, suggesting Dean refereed favorably toward the defending champion.

“It’s complete bullsh*t,” Dillashaw said. “You can’t tell two fighters to work when they’re on their feet. I could run circles if I wanted to. You can’t tell me to go and work. … It’s not like I’m stalling against the cage. We’re striking, and you’re telling me to work. Like, I might run into something now ’cause you’re coaching me on how I am supposed to fight. The ref shouldn’t be involved like that.

“I thought it was very weird. It was almost like he had money on O’Malley,” Dillashaw continued. “(It was) like he wanted Merab to keep going so O’Malley could catch him with something. It was weird.”

Dean’s performance in the main event has remained a prominent talking point days on from the show, as has factors away from the fighting action itself such as Welch’s controversial corner tactics.

While many have lauded the UFC for the spectacle it put on inside the Sphere, those likely weren’t the topics that the promotion hoped would come out of the pay-per-view main event.

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Sean O’Malley’s Coach Rejects ‘Unsportsmanlike’ Accusations At UFC 306: ‘This Is A Fight!’ 

Tim Welch, coach of recently dethroned UFC star Sean O’Malley, has hit back at claims his calls to opposition fighters from the corner is “unsportsmanlike.” Welch was unable to guide his man to a second successful title defense in Las Vegas this past weekend, where the unique Sphere venue played host to the UFC’s second […]

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Tim Welch, coach of recently dethroned UFC star Sean O’Malley, has hit back at claims his calls to opposition fighters from the corner is “unsportsmanlike.”

Welch was unable to guide his man to a second successful title defense in Las Vegas this past weekend, where the unique Sphere venue played host to the UFC’s second annual celebration of Mexican Independence Day.

“Suga” was comfortably outpointed across five rounds by Merab Dvalishvili, who recorded an 11th straight triumph inside the Octagon to secure his long-awaited championship crowning on MMA’s biggest stage.

The headlining fight was an odd affair, and that was the case almost immediately. In the opening seconds, referee Herb Dean had to interfere as Dvalishvili began lambasting O’Malley’s corner.

As it turned out, coach Welch had been up to his old tricks, repeating the opposition coaching he employed in an attempt to fool Aljamain Sterling into an ill-advised rush in Boston last year.

The Georgian wasn’t about to let those antics go unanswered, and many in the community have since backed him up and criticized the actions of O’Malley’s trainer.

Coach Welch On Controversial Corner Strategy: ‘If There’s Any Way To Do A Little Bit Of Mind Games…’

During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Welch reflected on his man’s championship loss inside the Sphere and touched on the controversy surrounding his input in the fight.

Welch said he was surprised at Dvalishvili’s emotional outburst following one remark early on, which he went on to defend by insisting that he’ll always look for an edge that could aid his fighter inside the cage.

“He must have been anticipating that a little bit. But I really wasn’t going out of my way to yell,” Welch said. “I was surprised how much he freaked out. He let his emotions freakin’ get to him in there. But, it didn’t do anything, it didn’t matter one bit.

“It’s not like I’m being unsportsmanlike. I mean, it’s a little mind games. People sometimes forget that this is a fight. He’s fighting my buddy, a really close buddy who I’ve spent a lot of years growing up with. He’s fighting him, trying to beat him up,” Welch continued. “If there’s any way to do a little bit of mind games when it comes to war, I’m gonna do it. If I was your coach and I thought it might help you win, maybe just a little bit, then I’d probably do it also.”

Whether or not such a strategy contributed to O’Malley’s title-winning performance against Sterling is up for debate, but there’s no doubt about the lack of affect it had on proceedings at UFC 306.

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley’s Coach Rejects ‘Unsportsmanlike’ Accusations At UFC 306: ‘This Is A Fight!’  at MMA News.

Brendan Schaub On UFC Show At ‘Rainforest Cafe’ Sphere: ‘Looks Great But The Product Is Sh*t’

Not everybody was impressed with the UFC’s debut event inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere this past weekend. Saturday saw MMA’s leading promotion stage its latest pay-per-view and second Noche UFC celebration from the Sphere, marking the first live sporting event to take place at the Las Vegas venue. In addition to the two […]

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Not everybody was impressed with the UFC’s debut event inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere this past weekend.

Saturday saw MMA’s leading promotion stage its latest pay-per-view and second Noche UFC celebration from the Sphere, marking the first live sporting event to take place at the Las Vegas venue.

In addition to the two high-stakes championship headliners, all eyes were on the $20 million production the UFC put on using the Sphere’s technology.

When it comes to the latter, the overall reception across the MMA community appeared to be largely positive. But in terms of the main and co-main event fights themselves, the consensus trended in a different direction.

And for one former UFC fighter, the action inside the Octagon remained the night’s priority, rendering the Sphere experiment a failure…

Schaub Not A Fan Of UFC’s Sphere Spectacle

During the latest episode of his podcast, Schaub gave his assessment of the UFC’s Sphere PPV and the fights that went down at the organization’s second annual celebration of Mexican Independence Day.

With his preference being excitement inside the Octagon over the additional production that came with the venue, Schaub was left disappointed by the event as a whole.

“My issue is the product that I paid to watch was not great. It wasn’t a pay-per-view-worthy card,” Schaub said. “The bell of the ball is the Sphere. Therefore, what you’re paying for, unless you’re in-person, ain’t that great, dude. And the main event and co-main event, boy did the UFC gamble and they lost.

“You know what the Sphere is? It’s Rainforest Cafe. It looks f*cking great but the product is sh*t,” Schaub continued. “UFC doing events at the Sphere is Rainforest Cafe. Looks great, fun experience, the actual product sucks. I’d rather watch great fights at the Apex center. I don’t need all that. Maybe I’m the minority.”

UFC CEO Dana White has remained firm in calling the Sept. 14 event a one-and-done show, something Schaub and those sharing the same sentiment will no doubt be pleased to hear.

But with plenty calling for a repeat experience down the line, perhaps the promotional higher-ups will be tempted to reverse their stance and put on another night of action at the venue, hopefully with headliners that deliver fireworks second time around.

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