Many fans were eager to see the outcomes of UFC 306, held at The Sphere in Las Vegas, where the main event featured a thrilling clash for the UFC bantamweight title. You witnessed Merab Dvalishvili triumph over the now-former champion, Sean O’Malley, in a fight that showcased Dvalishvili’s relentless grappling and tactical prowess. The judges scored the contest 49-46, 48-47, and 48-47 in favour of Dvalishvili, solidifying his position as the new champion.
Throughout the 25-minute bout, Dvalishvili kept the pressure on O’Malley from start to finish. His unyielding pace and outstanding conditioning displayed a dominant performance that limited O’Malley’s striking opportunities. You likely found it remarkable how Dvalishvili was able to ground O’Malley time and again, effectively neutralising any attempt by the former champion to impose his game. In a surprising twist during the fight, you may have noticed Dvalishvili leaning in for a quick kiss on the back of O’Malley’s head, a moment that added a bizarre twist to the contest.
For O’Malley, the result marked his second professional loss, bringing his record to 18 wins and 2 losses. Before stepping into the octagon on Saturday, O’Malley had been riding high after defeating Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera in a rematch earlier in the year. This victory had further solidified his reputation following his previous win against Aljamain Sterling to capture the bantamweight title in August 2023. As a viewer, you might have felt the weight of expectations resting on O’Malley’s shoulders, especially given his impressive 12-fight winning streak prior to UFC 306.
In the co-main event of the evening, Valentina Shevchenko reclaimed her title by defeating Alexa Grasso via unanimous decision. Shevchenko, often regarded as one of the finest fighters in women’s MMA, made a strong statement as she dominated Grasso for the duration of the fight. This rematch followed their previous encounter which ended in a controversial draw earlier this year. You may appreciate how Shevchenko’s grappling and control enabled her to keep Grasso grounded, ultimately leading to her victory.
The card also featured an impressive performance from Diego Lopes, who extended his winning streak to five fights with a unanimous decision over the highly-rated Brian Ortega. Lopes’ victory places him firmly in the spotlight as a serious contender in the featherweight division.
This event, celebrated as ‘Noche UFC‘ in honour of Mexican Independence Day, featured seven fighters of Mexican heritage and delivered memorable moments for fans. As you reflect on the outcomes from UFC 306, you can appreciate the incredible performances and the intense rivalries that unfolded on this monumental night.
UFC 306 Full Results
Main Card Results:
- Bantamweight: Merab Dvalishvili def. Sean O’Malley (c) via unanimous decision (49–46, 48–47, 48–47) – Round 5, 5:00
For the UFC Bantamweight Championship - Women’s Flyweight: Valentina Shevchenko def. Alexa Grasso (c) via unanimous decision (50–45, 50–45, 50–45) – Round 5, 5:00
For the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship - Featherweight: Diego Lopes def. Brian Ortega via unanimous decision (30–26, 30–27, 30–27) – Round 3, 5:00
- Lightweight: Esteban Ribovics def. Daniel Zellhuber via split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) – Round 3, 5:00
- Flyweight: Ronaldo Rodríguez def. Ode’ Osbourne via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–27, 29–27) – Round 3, 5:00
Preliminary Card Results (ESPNews / ESPN+):
- Women’s Bantamweight: Norma Dumont def. Irene Aldana via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) – Round 3, 5:00
- Lightweight: Ignacio Bahamondes def. Manuel Torres via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:02
- Women’s Strawweight: Ketlen Souza def. Yazmin Jauregui via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:02
- Flyweight: Joshua Van def. Édgar Cháirez via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) – Round 3, 5:00
Early Preliminary Card Results (ESPN+ / UFC Fight Pass):
- Bantamweight: Raúl Rosas Jr. def. Aori Qileng via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) – Round 3, 5:00
Bonus Awards:
- Fight of the Night: Esteban Ribovics vs. Daniel Zellhuber
- Performance of the Night: Ignacio Bahamondes and Ketlen Souza