Hungarian time, the world’s leading MMA organization, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, presented itself with a special gala at dawn on Sunday. After the president of the UFC, Dana White, went to the opening event of Las Vegas‘ newest attraction, the glittering Gömböc (The Sphere), to a U2 concert (the Irish band signed on for a marathon of 40 performances), he immediately realized that he needed such an event.
In Gömböc, which is considered the most expensive event center in Vegas with a construction cost of 2.3 billion dollars – which we also took a close look at in January – the cost of organizing the UFC 306 gala cost 20 million compared to 2 million dollars for average galas, which was barely exceeded sold at brutal prices revenue from tickets. Of course, the promotion organization’s profits were fattened up by the income earned through the distribution of the broadcast, the so-called “pay-per-view”, and at UFC 306 the first named sponsor in the history of the UFC appeared – the generous patron could have been nothing but sportwashing Saudi Arabia’s leading entertainment agency. The gala was thus named “Riyadh Season Noche UFC”.
Yes, Noche hinted that UFC 306 was timed for the Mexican national holiday of September 16 (commemorating the outbreak of the War of Independence in 1810 that resulted in the separation from Spain); from Quetzalcoatl swimming in among the stars to the Mayan pyramids, Mexican visual culture is exploited to the maximum on the giant interior led wall of Gömböc. Mexico’s 3D celebration spoke both to UFC fans of Mexican origin and to the fact that after boxing, wrestlers from Mexico or of Mexican origin have become dominant in MMA.
In addition to the audiovisual orgy, the directors did not skimp on the Wurtslie elements either: there was a Dana White hologram welcoming the spectators upon entering, a chair that vibrated to the rhythm of the action, more or less hidden references (eastern eggs) of the films between the matches were raffled among the explorers $25,000 reward.
But what’s more important than the chili-vili surrounds: there were no complaints about the chaotic fight between Ronaldo Rodríguez and Ode’ Osbourne, threatening destruction at any moment, the boxing school of Esteban Ribovics against Daniel Zellhuber, who has a granite head even at the Mexican wrestling level, or Diego Lopes, who made his debut barely a year and a half ago for his masterpiece framed by a knockdown against Daniel Ortega, who was rated much higher beforehand. On the main card, only Valentina Shevchenko’s title recovery against Alexa Grasso turned out to be boringly one-sided; however, this can be forgiven the Kyrgyz-Peruvian classic, as at the end of the gala he thanked his supporters and fans in Russian, Spanish, English and Thai.
However, UFC 306 was supposed to be driven by one match (sorry for the Sunday morning image confusion): that match was the bantamweight title match between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalisvili. The American champion and his Georgian challenger are very opposite characters, with very opposite abilities and fighting styles. The 29-year-old O’Malley started as the UFC’s cherished savior, the organization singled him out as the successor to the notoriously unreliable Conor McGregor – who has since shown a history of decline painted with cocaine streaks.
In some of his motifs, “Suga” really reminds me of the Irish superstar of ten years ago: he is lanky for his weight class, a confident and precise kickboxer, whose punches, thanks to his clean technique and perfect timing, always hide a bottom-planting KO; and his interesting physique and smoker/gamer image are extra marketing advantages. But for all of O’Malley’s quirks, he is a rock-hard wrestler who is constantly improving and can always surprise those who consider him an underdog match after match.
His opponent, Merab Dvalisvili, who was born in Georgia but has been training in New York for many years, is the grinder of the UFC, who lights up the rockets after a few minutes of fun in his matches, and then simply grinds the resistance of his opponents with punches, kicks, but mostly with his takedowns. Dvalisvili came to the title match with a 10-match unbeaten streak behind him – since 2018, he has also beaten the classics of the weight group, from John Dodson to Henry Cejudo.
Despite his merits and dominance, the UFC was in no hurry to bring Dvalisvili to a title match – the Georgian himself did not aspire to this until his training partner and friend Aljamain Sterling was the champion – and the promotion organization preferred O’Malley to Marlon, who was far from challenger status this spring. He paired her with Vera.
But the point is that the summit was established by September 2024, which seemed like a worthy successor to the 2018 Habib-McGregor match in terms of style difference and strategic excitement.
The verbal karate before the match unusually continued in the extremely tense match itself; O’Malley’s coaches scolded Dvalisvili, the Georgian bullied the champion. At first, the American hit his opponent’s body, but Dvalisvili was able to find a hold on him relatively easily, and then from the hold he either hit him, took him to the ground, or simply lunged at him in order to tire O’Malley’s back, neck and arms.
And as is often the case with Georgia’s games, it was only downhill from there for O’Malley; Dvalisvili chased and crushed him for five rounds. The increasingly acidic American slowed down and… and almost reversed with two minutes to go. An unexpected kick hit him right in the mouth of the stomach, the big toe digging into his intestines was received by the Georgian with a painful grimace, and when a blow came to the same place, it seemed that O’Malley had seriously caught him on the body, and Dvalisvili would fall to the ground after 1-2 more hits. But by this time, the American was so ready with his strength that he didn’t use it to run to him for another stinging kick, a final attack, or even a single charge. In the remaining time, Dvalisvili easily out-jumped him and put the point on the world championship title, won by unanimous points, with a leg extension.
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UFC 306: A Night to Remember at The Sphere in Las Vegas
The world’s leading MMA organization, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), presented a special gala at The Sphere in Las Vegas, a state-of-the-art event center considered the most expensive in Vegas with a construction cost of 2.3 billion dollars [[3]]. The UFC 306 event, named “Riyadh Season Noche UFC”, was timed to coincide with the Mexican national holiday of September 16, and it did not disappoint.
The event was a spectacular showcase of MMA action, with a championship doubleheader headlining one of the most historic UFC events of all-time [[3]]. The main card took place on Saturday, September 14, at 10pm ET/7pm PT on ESPN+ PPV, with the prelims available on ESPNEWS and ESPN [[1]]. Fans were treated to a thrilling night of fights, with Mexican visual culture taking center stage on the giant interior led wall of The Sphere.
The event was marked by a series of intense and exciting matches, including a chaotic fight between Ronaldo Rodríguez and Ode’ Osbourne, and a boxing school showcase by Esteban Ribovics against Daniel Zellhuber [[3]]. Diego Lopes made a stunning debut with a knockdown against Daniel Ortega, while Valentina Shevchenko’s title recovery against Alexa Grasso was the only one-sided match of the night [[3]].
However, the main event of the night was the bantamweight title match between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili. The American champion and his Georgian challenger are two very different fighters with distinct styles and abilities [[3]]. O’Malley, known for his lanky physique, precise kickboxing, and rock-hard wrestling skills, was pitted against Dvalishvili, a grinder with a 10-match unbeaten streak and a penchant for takedowns.
The verbal exchanges between the two fighters continued into the match itself, with O’Malley’s coaches scolding Dvalishvili and the Georgian bullying the champion [[3]]. Dvalishvili dominated the fight, chasing and crushing O’Malley for five rounds and ultimately emerging victorious.
The event was not short on innovative touches, with a Dana White hologram welcoming spectators, a chair that vibrated to the rhythm of the action, and hidden film references raffled among the audience with a $25,000 reward [[3]]. The UFC’s first named sponsor, Riyadh Season, was also on display, marking a significant milestone for the organization.
For fans of MMA, UFC 306 was a night to remember, with its unique blend of fighting styles, cultural celebrations, and cutting-edge production values. As the UFC continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in MMA, one thing is clear: the organization is committed to delivering unforgettable events that leave fans on the edge of their seats.
Get Ready for More UFC Action
Stay tuned for more exciting UFC events and updates from the world of MMA. Check out the latest news, interviews, and highlights from UFC 306 on the official UFC website [[2]], and don’t miss out on the next big fight.
References:
[1] https://www.ufc.com/news/prelim-results-highlights-winner-interviews-ufc-306-omalley-vs-dvalishvili-noche-ufc-sphere
[2] https://jp.ufc.com/news/ufc
– What were some highlights of the UFC 306 event held in Las Vegas?
UFC 306: A Night to Remember in the Entertainment Capital of the World
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) recently presented a spectacular gala at the Gömböc, Las Vegas’ newest and most expensive event center, with a whopping construction cost of $2.3 billion. The UFC 306 event was a Visual extravaganza, with a price tag of $20 million, surpassing the average gala cost of $2 million. The promotion organization’s profits were boosted by ticket sales, which were sold at premium prices, as well as revenue generated from the “pay-per-view” broadcast.
A Taste of Mexican Culture
The event was timed to coincide with Mexico’s national holiday, September 16, commemorating the outbreak of the War of Independence in 1810. To celebrate this occasion, the UFC incorporated Mexican visual culture into the event, with vibrant 3D visuals of Quetzalcoatl, Mayan pyramids, and other iconic symbols of Mexican heritage. This not only catered to UFC fans of Mexican origin but also acknowledged the dominance of Mexican wrestlers in MMA.
An Audiovisual Spectacle
The event was a treat for the senses, with a Dana White hologram welcoming spectators, chairs that vibrated to the rhythm of the action, and hidden references to films between matches. The audiovisual experience was taken to the next level with a $25,000 reward for explorers who discovered the hidden “Easter eggs”.
The Fights
While the event’s spectacular surroundings were unmatched, the real highlight was the exciting line-up of fights. The chaotic bout between Ronaldo Rodríguez and Ode’ Osbourne, the technical display of Esteban Ribovics against Daniel Zellhuber, and Diego Lopes’ impressive debut against Daniel Ortega were just a few of the thrilling matches. The main event saw Valentina Shevchenko reclaim her title against Alexa Grasso in a somewhat one-sided contest, but Shevchenko’s graciousness in thanking her fans in Russian, Spanish, English, and Thai made up for it.
The Main Attraction: O’Malley vs. Dvalisvili
The bantamweight title match between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalisvili was the most anticipated bout of the evening. O’Malley, the American champion, and Dvalisvili, the Georgian challenger, are two fighters with vastly different styles and abilities. O’Malley, dubbed “Suga”, is a lanky, precise kickboxer with a penchant for knockouts, while Dvalisvili is a grinder who wears down his opponents with his relentless pace and takedowns.
A Clash of Styles
The fight between O’Malley and Dvalisvili promised to be an intense battle, with O’Malley’s unpredictability and Dvalisvili’s dominance on the ground. Dvalisvili’s experience and tenacity won out, but O’Malley’s performance earned him a lot of respect from the MMA community.
UFC 306: A Night to Remember
UFC 306 was an unforgettable experience, with its stunning visuals, exciting fights, and exceptional entertainment value. The event solidified the UFC’s position as the leading MMA organization in the world, and its partnership with the Saudi Arabian entertainment agency marked a new chapter in the promotion’s history.
Keywords: UFC 306, Gömböc, Las Vegas, Sean O’Malley, Merab Dvalisvili, Mexican culture, audiovisual spectacle, MMA, Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Meta Description: Relive the excitement of UFC 306, a spectacular event that showcased the best of MMA, with a clash of styles between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalisvili, stunning visuals, and exceptional entertainment value.
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