UFC 306 LIVE: Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili headline unique ‘Noche’ event at Sphere
Follow live, as Sean O’Malley defends his bantamweight belt against Merab Dvalishvili in Las Vegas
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In the main event of UFC 306 tonight, Sean O’Malley takes on Merab Dvalishvili in a highly-anticipated bantamweight title fight.
“Sugar Sean” O’Malley is making his second defence of the belt, having won it from Aljamain Sterling with a picture-perfect knockout last August, before retaining it with a masterclass against Marlon Vera in March.
The American star may face a stern test in Las Vegas, however, as he encounters a challenger on a 10-fight win streak. Georgia’s Dvalishvili enters the Sphere on the back of three straight victories against former champions: Henry Cejudo, Petr Yan and Jose Aldo.
And in the co-main event of UFC 306, Alexa Grasso defends her flyweight title against divisional icon Valentina Shevchenko, in a long-awaited trilogy bout. Grasso submitted Shevchenko in a shock result in 2022, before the pair fought to a controversial draw in 2023.
Elsewhere at UFC 306, which has also been branded ‘UFC Noche’ as a celebration of Mexican fighting on the nation’s Independence weekend, Diego Lopes fights Brian Ortega. Follow live updates and results from UFC 306, below.
UFC 306 LIVE: Ronaldo Rodriguez vs Ode Osbourne
A slightly more immersive setting than the Apex.
UFC 306 LIVE: Ronaldo Rodriguez vs Ode Osbourne
Round three
Where has Osbourne got this energy from? He’s recovered very well given the fact he looked completely done at the end of the second.
Fires a big shot that connects on Rodriguez, only for the Mexican to come back with his own left hook. Osbourne acknowledges the strike and Rodriguez follows up with a pair of spinning wheel kicks in quick succession - both miss.
Osbourne shoots for a first takedown but Rodriguez snuffs it. Osbourne succeeds at the second time of asking but it nearly leads to his demise, with Rodriguez threatening to lock in a kimura.
One last takedown attempt for Osbourne and Rodriguez spraws and ends up on top. It allows him to rain down a barrage of ground strikes during the final seconds of the round. A great impression to leave for the judges, that could very well bring him victory on the scorecards...
Ronaldo Rodriguez def. Ode Osbourne via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27).
A sublime fight to kick off the main card. Rodriguez could have been down and out within the first 30 seconds, but he came back and put on an absolute clinic.
UFC 306 LIVE: Ronaldo Rodriguez vs Ode Osbourne
Round two
Osbourne once again starts the round on top and has Rodriguez in a dangerous position up against the fence. However, a phenomenal Rodriguez reversal allows him to take the back.
Osbourne is face down on the ground and caught in a body triangle, with Rodriguez laying in strikes from above. After such a gruelling first round, ‘The Jamaican Sensation’ looks completely out of energy and is just trying to survive.
With 20 seconds left, Osbourne finally finds his way out of the body triangle and gets on top. He needs to salvage something from the round quickly and lands a flurry of heavy shots on the ground - but he doesn’t have the time to truly put Rodriguez in trouble.
Osbourne has to be basically dragged to the corner as the buzzer goes. He is shattered.
UFC 306 LIVE: Ronaldo Rodriguez vs Ode Osbourne
Round one
Surrounded by Aztec pyramids, Rodriguez and Osbourne enjoy two of the most visually incredible walkouts in combat history. Plenty more of that to come tonight, I’m sure.
Osbourne immediately showcases his lightning speed and connects twice with a left hook before BANG - a vicious counter right hook knocks Rodriguez down.
Rodriguez looks there for the taking and finds himself caught in a deep triangle for about two minutes, but he manages to escape and holds on for the rest of the round.
UFC 306 LIVE: Ronaldo Rodriguez vs Ode Osbourne
We’ve had 20 minutes of indulging in the Sphere, but now it’s time we get down to business.
First up, Ronaldo Rodriguez takes on Ode Osbourne as both men look to stake their claim as a potential title contender at flyweight.
UFC 306 LIVE: ‘For Mexico, For All Time'
The Sphere projects the first chapter of tonight’s six-part film on Mexico’s rich history in combat sports, and it really is something to behold.
You can see why Dana has splashed the big bucks and sought an award-winning director to make this fightcard like no other seen before. Seriously surreal stuff.
UFC 306 LIVE: Time for the main card!
That’s that for the prelims! The Sphere is shapeshifting, time to get stuck into the main card.
UFC 306 LIVE: Irene Aldana vs Norma Dumont
Round three
Aldana is seriously leaking from her forehead, something which will be sure to affect her vision. She’s likely in need of a finish if she wants to win this bout but with three minutes to go, Dormant looks in control.
However, things begin to open up as Aldana connects with a harsh elbow. Dormant is bleeding herself now, but she nevertheless comes back with a nice left hook and a low kick.
Into the final stages and Aldana is searching for a KO. The crowd is behind her as she makes a beeline for Dormant’s skull, but the Brazilian survives.
The buzzer goes and we get a proper look at Aldana’s gash. She’s got a gorge in her forehead. That’s going to require some staples.
Norma Dumont def. Irene Aldana via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
A warrior’s performance from Aldana but the result was never in doubt. A cool, confident performance from Dumont.
UFC 306 LIVE: Irene Aldana vs Norma Dumont
Round two
Really impressive from Dumont who looks more than comfortable in the cage, circling and connecting before slipping any reply from Aldana, who is struggling to find her range.
Aldana finally does a bit of damage with a nice jab but that only seems to psych Dumont up further, ramping up her aggression to immediately get back on the front foot.
The round enters its final thirty seconds and both begin to land some significant strikes - but as the buzzer goes, all you need to do is look at the faces of the two fighters.
Aldana is covered in her own crimson after a clash of heads, while Dumont hardly has a scratch.
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