Dana White took to Instagram on Friday to unveil the highly anticipated main card lineup for Noche UFC 306, taking place at the Sphere in Las Vegas on Sept. 14.
The main event will feature a bantamweight title fight between Sean O’Malley (18-1-0) and Merab Dvalishvili (17-4-0). This will mark O’Malley’s second title defence for the most electric fighter in the division. The striker with heavy knockout power snagged the belt from Aljamain Sterling by a second-round knockout at UFC 292. O’Malley also took down Marlon Vera by decision a few months later at UFC 299.
Entering the octagon on a 10-fight win streak, this bout will be personal for Dvalishvili as he looks to avenge Sterling, a known close friend. Dvalishvili is coming off three straight victories, Henry Cejudo (2024), Petr Yan (2023) and José Aldo (2022), all of whom are past champions.
The co-main event will be the eagerly awaited rematch between Alexa Grasso (16-3-1) and Valentina Shevchenko (23-4-1) for the women’s flyweight belt. This will mark the third bout between the two, with the first pair of fights taking place within six months of each other last year. Grasso came up victorious to start, shocking many as one of the biggest upsets in history. The following meeting was considered the greatest battle in the 125-pound division, going the full 25 minutes and ending in a split draw which attracted a myriad of controversy.
“Expect an absolute war,” White said.
Also on the card is Diego Lopes (25-6-0), an ascending prospect in the featherweight division, taking on third-ranked Brian Ortega (16-3-0). These two were supposed to face off as the co-main event in UFC 303 in June but were pushed back after Ortega became ill. Lopez remained on the card and, on three hours notice, took down Dan Ige (18-8-0) by decision.
Daniel Zellhuber (15-1-0), one of Mexico’s most talented young fighters, will battle Esteban Ribovics (13-1-0), whose 14 contests include all but one coming by finish.
Opening the main card is Ronaldo Rodríguez (17-2-0), who won his UFC debut with a second-round finish, versus the well-rounded veteran Ode Osbourne (12-7-0).
Below is the full 10-fight card for UFC 306.
Main Card
Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili
Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko
Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes
Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics
Ronaldo Rodríguez vs. Ode’ Osbourne
Preliminary Card
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
UFC fans are in for a treat as rising stars Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili are set to headline UFC 306 at the Sphere. The highly anticipated matchup between these two bantamweight fighters is expected to be a thrilling and action-packed fight that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Sean O’Malley, also known as “Suga,” has quickly become one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC. With his flashy striking and dynamic fighting style, O’Malley has captured the attention of fans and critics alike. The 27-year-old fighter boasts an impressive record of 14 wins and only one loss, with notable victories over top contenders in the bantamweight division.
On the other hand, Merab Dvalishvili is a formidable opponent for O’Malley. The Georgian fighter is known for his relentless pressure and dominant wrestling skills. Dvalishvili, who trains out of the renowned Serra-Longo Fight Team, has amassed an impressive record of 15 wins and four losses in his MMA career. With wins over top-ranked opponents, Dvalishvili is a force to be reckoned with in the bantamweight division.
The matchup between O’Malley and Dvalishvili is expected to be a clash of styles, with O’Malley’s striking prowess going up against Dvalishvili’s grappling expertise. Fans can expect a high-paced and competitive fight that will showcase the skills and determination of both fighters.
UFC 306 at the Sphere promises to be an exciting event for MMA fans, with a stacked card featuring top fighters from around the world. In addition to the headline bout between O’Malley and Dvalishvili, fans can look forward to other exciting matchups that are sure to deliver fireworks inside the Octagon.
As the date for UFC 306 approaches, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be a memorable night of fights. MMA fans can expect nothing less than an electrifying event when O’Malley and Dvalishvili step into the Octagon to headline UFC 306 at the Sphere.