UFC 306, held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at the cutting-edge venue The Sphere in Las Vegas, made history as the first UFC event ever hosted in this state-of-the-art location. This Pay-Per-View event, also known as "Riyadh Season Noche UFC," showcased a total of ten electrifying MMA bouts, including two high-stakes title fights. The night saw major shifts in the UFC’s championship landscape, with both the men’s bantamweight and women’s flyweight titles changing hands, detailed breakdown and results of UFC 306 below.
The Sphere is a one-of-a-kind venue that transformed the UFC viewing experience. With its 360-degree immersive visuals and groundbreaking audio-visual technology, fans in attendance and those watching at home were treated to a unique display of cutting-edge production. This engineering marvel, combining jaw-dropping LED displays and tailored audio systems, brought new life to the fight spectacle, creating an unparalleled viewing experience. The UFC 306 event will undoubtedly go down in history as not only a fight card but as a milestone in combat sports entertainment.
Main Event: UFC Bantamweight Championship | Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili
In a much-anticipated showdown, Merab Dvalishvili captured the UFC Bantamweight Championship with a decisive unanimous decision victory over Sean O'Malley. O'Malley, known for his striking and flashy style, struggled to keep up with the relentless pressure and cardio of Dvalishvili, who used his superior wrestling and pace to dominate the fight. Over five rounds, Dvalishvili neutralized O’Malley’s striking arsenal with takedowns and relentless ground control, leaving no room for doubt in the judges' scorecards. The UFC has a new bantamweight king, and Dvalishvili’s reign promises to be just as tenacious as his fighting style.
Co-Main Event: UFC Flyweight Championship | Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko III
In the third chapter of their rivalry, Valentina Shevchenko regained the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship with a unanimous decision win over Alexa Grasso. Shevchenko, motivated after losing the title in their previous fight, executed a flawless game plan of precise striking and grappling control. Grasso fought valiantly but couldn’t match the tactical brilliance of Shevchenko, who used her counterstriking and clinch work to keep Grasso off balance for most of the fight. The win reestablishes Shevchenko’s dominance in the division, adding another layer to her legendary career.
Main Card Fights
Featherweight: Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes
Diego Lopes delivered a breakout performance, defeating Brian Ortega via unanimous decision. Ortega, known for his grappling and submission skills, was unable to get his ground game going, as Lopes outclassed him with superior striking and takedown defense. Lopes picked Ortega apart over three rounds, earning a clear victory on all three judges' scorecards.
Lightweight: Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics
In a razor-close contest, Esteban Ribovics edged out Daniel Zellhuber via split decision. The fight was a back-and-forth war with both fighters landing heavy shots and showcasing their diverse skill sets. Ribovics managed to sway two of the three judges in his favor by landing the more significant strikes in crucial moments, securing the victory in a thrilling lightweight bout.
Flyweight: Ronaldo Rodríguez vs. Ode Osbourne
Ronaldo Rodríguez earned a unanimous decision win over Ode Osbourne in a high-paced flyweight contest. Rodríguez’s superior grappling and relentless pressure overwhelmed Osbourne, who was unable to mount any sustained offense. Rodríguez controlled the pace of the fight from start to finish, securing the decision victory and bolstering his position in the flyweight rankings.
Preliminary Card Fights
Bantamweight: Irene Aldana vs. Norma Dumont
Norma Dumont pulled off a significant victory over Irene Aldana via unanimous decision. Dumont used her grappling and cage control to stifle Aldana’s striking, controlling the fight with clinch work and positional dominance. Aldana struggled to find her range, while Dumont’s defensive game kept her safe and ahead on the scorecards.
Lightweight: Manuel Torres vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
Ignacio Bahamondes secured a stunning knockout victory over Manuel Torres with a perfectly timed counter right hand, followed by vicious ground strikes. The bout ended at 4:02 in the first round, making it one of the most memorable finishes of the night. Bahamondes' clinical striking made a statement in the lightweight division.
Strawweight: Yazmin Jauregui vs. Ketlen Souza
In a shocking upset, Ketlen Souza submitted rising prospect Yazmin Jauregui with a rear-naked choke at 3:02 of the first round. Souza’s quick transitions on the ground and tight submission game left Jauregui with no escape, handing Souza a big win in the strawweight division.
Flyweight: Edgar Cháirez vs. Joshua Van
Joshua Van secured a unanimous decision win over Edgar Cháirez in a competitive flyweight contest. Van’s relentless pace and combination striking proved too much for Cháirez, who couldn’t keep up with the volume and accuracy of Van's attacks. The win marks an important step forward for Van in his UFC journey.
Bantamweight: Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Aoriqileng
Raul Rosas Jr. put on an impressive performance, defeating Aoriqileng via unanimous decision. Rosas used his superior grappling to control the fight, executing multiple takedowns and maintaining top position throughout. His dominant display highlighted the potential of the young prospect, who continues to rise through the bantamweight ranks.
UFC 306 at The Sphere will be remembered not just for its incredible fights but for the immersive, next-level experience that redefined how fans engage with live sports. With two new champions crowned and a showcase of emerging talent, this event was a historic night for the UFC, setting the stage for even bigger things to come.