UFC 306 LIVE: Sean O’Malley dominated by Merab Dvalishvili at ‘Noche’ event in Sphere
Re-live the action, after Sean O’Malley lost his bantamweight belt to Merab Dvalishvili in Las Vegas
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Your support makes all the difference.In the main event of UFC 306 on Saturday, Sean O’Malley lost the men’s bantamweight title to a dominant Merab Dvalishvili at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
“Sugar Sean” O’Malley was 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.
But the American star faced a stern test on Saturday, as he encountered a challenger on a 10-fight win streak. Georgia’s Dvalishvili entered the Sphere on the back of three straight victories against former champions: Henry Cejudo, Petr Yan and Jose Aldo.
And Dvalishvili added O’Malley’s name to that list by outwrestling the striking specialist for the best part of 25 minutes. O’Malley had his moments, including one scything elbow that cut open his challenger, but there was no doubt about the result when the scorecards arrived – with all of them in Dvalishvili’s favour: 49-46, 48-47, 48-47.
And in the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko outpointed Alexa Grasso to regain the women’s flyweight belt, having previously lost to the Mexican and drawn with her in their first two meetings.
Re-live updates and see all results from UFC 306, below.
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: 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.
UFC 306 LIVE: Irene Aldana vs Norma Dumont
Round one
Bruce Buffer does his spiel and Irene Aldana produces a death stare for the ages. Not. One. Blink.
Both feeling each other out for the first couple minutes, Dumont coming in with a couple overhands that seem to clip Aldana but nothing particularly damaging.
Dumont then connects with something more meaningful as she fakes the overhand right before catching Aldana with a sharp left hook. Another nice right with thirty seconds to go as Dumont continues to dodge whatever her opponent follows up with.
Impressive first five minutes from the Brazilian.
UFC 306 LIVE: Irene Aldana vs Norma Dumont
Time for our featured prelim of the night. Aldana will hope a big win over Dumont can propel her back into the bantamweight title picture.
UFC 306 LIVE: Manuel Torres vs Ignacio Bahamondes
Round one
Cagey first minute as Torres goes for a body kick but slips and ends up on his behind. Begins to connect with more meaningful strikes and gets Bahamondes up against the cage, closing his opponent down and not allowing him to utilise his trademark length - at least initally.
Bahamondes shakes Torres off and connects with a beautiful leg kick to the back of the neck. It knocks Torres down but he gets back up, only to be folded by a right moments later and put under a barrage of hammer fists.
Torres survives and looks to respond with some offence of his own. But with a minute to go, Bahamondes evades an overhand left to connect with another brutal right to put him on the canvas for a third time. Bahamondes unloads and Goddard steps in!
Ignacio Bahamondes def. Manuel Torres via first-round technical knockout (right hook and ground strikes, 4:02).
Add it to the highlight reel. A big fight for Bahamondes could very well be waiting in the wings.
UFC 306 LIVE: Manuel Torres vs Ignacio Bahamondes
We’ve just been treated to a video package previewing the highly anticipated rematch between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s flyweight title.
That and the entire main card still to come, kicking off at 3am BST - but now, onto our next prelim as Manuel Torres takes on human highlight reel Ignacio Bahamondes.
Walkouts imminent...
UFC 306 LIVE: Yazmin Jauregui vs Ketlen Souza
Round one
Early left gets through for Souza but Jauregui connects with a mean body kick. Jauregui then inadvertently connects with Souza’s groin, Herzog calls a temporary stoppage.
Back underway and Souza comes out swinging, mixing things up with a couple of combinations. Then comes the second accidental low blow - this time with Jauregui on the receiving end. Maybe time to design a women’s cup?
Clock starts ticking again and within moments, Souza hits a vicious left hook to knock Jauregui to the mat before jumping on her at lightning speed, locking in the RNC to put Jauregui to sleep!
Ketlen Souza def. Yazmin Jauregui via first-round submission (rear naked choke, 3:02).
Jauregui has only just woken up. Clinical as you like in what is undoubtedly the biggest win of Souza’s career so far.
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