UFC 306 is set to deliver a unique sporting spectacle, according to UFC president Dana White. The event marks the debut of the promotion at The Sphere in Las Vegas, slated for September 14, coinciding with Mexican Independence Day weekend. This will be the second Noche UFC card, and promises to be a memorable one.
Main Event: O'Malley vs. Dvalishvili
The main event will see UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley going head-to-head against Merab Dvalishvili. O'Malley, known as one of the best strikers in UFC, is eager to cement his status as a marquee act in the organization. His opponent, Dvalishvili, is revered for his grappling skills and is looking to avenge the loss his close friend and former champion Aljamain Sterling suffered at O'Malley's hands. This fight promises to be a thrilling encounter between one of UFC's top strikers and one of its premier grapplers.
Co-Main Event: Grasso vs. Shevchenko Trilogy
The co-main event features UFC women's flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko in what will be the third bout of their ongoing rivalry. Grasso currently leads the trilogy 1-0-1, having fought Shevchenko to a draw in the main event of the inaugural Noche UFC card. Both fighters are expected to bring their A-game as they aim to settle the score once and for all.
Anticipated Fights
Another highly anticipated fight sees Brian Ortega stepping into the octagon once again with Diego Lopes. Their bout was originally scheduled for UFC 303, only to be scrapped mere hours before the fight. Now rebooked for UFC 306, fans are eager to see how this featherweight showdown unfolds.
Meanwhile, other bouts on the card include Raul Rosas Jr. facing Aoriqileng in the bantamweight category, Norma Dumont taking on Irene Aldana in women's bantamweights, and Ignacio Bahamondes battling Manuel Torres in the lightweights category. These matches add layers of excitement to an already stacked event.
Fight Odds
The betting odds for UFC 306 suggest highly competitive matchups. Merab Dvalishvili is slightly favored at -130 against Sean O'Malley, who comes in at +110 in the welterweight championship. In the women's flyweight championship, Alexa Grasso is a slight favorite at -115 against Valentina Shevchenko, who is at -105. Diego Lopes is favored at -170 against Brian Ortega, who stands at +140 in the featherweight category.
Other notable odds include Raul Rosas Jr. as a heavy favorite at -600 against Aoriqileng at +440, Norma Dumont at -130 against Irene Aldana at +110, and Ignacio Bahamondes at -150 against Manuel Torres at +125. In the flyweights category, Edgar Chairez is a -150 favorite against Kevin Borjas at +125, with Ronaldo Rodriguez also at -150 against Ode Osbourne at +125. Yazmin Jauregui stands as a strong favorite at -375 against Ketlen Souza at +295 in the women's strawweights category, while Daniel Zellhuber is favored at -180 against Esteban Ribovics at +150 in the lightweights category.
Event Details
UFC 306 is scheduled for September 14 at The Sphere in Las Vegas, with the main card set to kick off at 10 p.m. ET. This event, intertwined with the celebratory spirit of Mexican Independence Day weekend, promises to be a high-octane night of elite mixed martial arts action.
As the anticipation builds, fans and fighters alike are gearing up for what Dana White promises will be a sporting spectacle unlike any other. With a line-up featuring some of the most talented and determined athletes in the UFC, UFC 306 is set to deliver unforgettable moments and thrilling competition.