Turns out, he was right.

The Pay-Per-View event, headlined by Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley at the unique Las Vegas venue, has now won two of them.

The technically impressive broadcast picked up two Sports Emmys, for best Studio or Production Design/Art Direction and Graphic Design – Specialty, on Tuesday. The card, the second Noche UFC event, was timed to coincide with Mexican Independence Day, and offered absolutely stunning visuals for those attending in person, as well as fans watching at home.

Deadline has the full list of winners.

The spectacle is believed to be a one-and-done for the company, due to their deal with the T-Mobile Arena, also in Las Vegas, not to mention the reported $20 million dollar price tag on producing the event.

Still, White had said during the event’s post-fight press conference, attended by Cageside Press, that “it should” win an Emmy award. “Listen, I talked a lot of sh*t for a lot of years about boxing and Showtime. I always like to push the envelope and make it better. When new technology comes out, we try to raise the bar because I think it should be. What these guys pulled off, we should be stepping over Emmys at the office.”

He’s stepping over two of them at least.

The post Noche UFC at The Sphere Lands Pair of Emmys appeared first on Cageside Press.

At least that’s what it’s seemed like not only in the lead up to UFC 306, but now following it. Former champion Sean O’Malley released a video saying he’s rewatched their fight at Noche UFC and declared himself the winner.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Suga Sean O’Malley (@sugasean)

“I’m back! Just rewatched the fight, I won round 1, 3 and 5! F*ck you Merab! You’re still a b*tch! I’m the champ! And still, undefeated, defending my belt in June or July against Umar Nurmagomedov in Las Vegas! I’m the champ! And still! Round 1, 3, and 5! You don’t believe me? Go rewatch it for yourself! I had Merab running like a b*tch in round 5! I’m the champ! Rewatch the fight. Title defense number 3 Umar, I’m coming for you!”

The former champ released a video on his YouTube showing himself, coach Tim Welch, and friends rewatching the UFC 306 main event. He scored round 1, 3 and 5 for himself and went onto say he’d ask the UFC to post the fight on YouTube for people to see.

Dvalishvili took it in stride and had some fun with it posting a skit of his own.

It’s hard to be a dad these days 👨🏻‍🍼🦾 pic.twitter.com/ZBhF1lo8am

— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) September 20, 2024

In the video Dvalishvili drove his SUV through a neighborhood coming to an abrupt stop and revealing a kid’s toy car with a plush toy of O’Malley holding a belt in the driver seat.

“What the f*ck bro?! What’s going on? Sean? It’s you my friend what’s wrong with you bro? Why you keep smoking my friend? I thought you were just sleeping now it’s asleep time for you bro. 

Listen son. Don’t worry about this Umar Nurmagomedov. I will take care of Umar. You’re not a champion anymore and I’m going to take belt from you again. So you drive safe son. 

Let’s go Sean. No more smoke. See you. Drive safe, ok?” 

The end of the video shows Merab Dvalishvili kissing the plush toy multiple times and then driving away.

The fight is over, but it’s safe to say the banter back and forth is just beginning.

The post Merab Dvalishvili Releases Comedy Skit Poking At O’Malley appeared first on Cageside Press.

Saturday’s UFC 306 event was lauded by industry leader Dana White as a one-time only event that would be the most innovative sports broadcast ever done.  Leading up to the card, White shared lofty goals in the media about his ambition for the show to win every major on-screen award from an Oscar, Emmy, to even a Grammy.  He also said that the event would have the type of impact that other sports would consider following suit.

Now on the other side of UFC 306 – or more precisely: Riyadh Season Presents Noche UFC – it is clear that the marriage of the technological capabilities of the Las Vegas Sphere with the innovation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship made for the perfect storm of an event.  For one night, at least.

“For Mexico, For All Time” – A Film With Six Chapters

[ #UFC306 | @RiyadhSeason #NocheUFC | @SphereVegas ]

A THREAD 🧵 pic.twitter.com/vbDtG2KxA5

— UFC (@ufc) September 15, 2024

The relentless media blitz for months now promised a UFC event unlike any other.  The promotion delivered on that front with their six-part film demonstrating the abilities of the Sphere similar to a talented contender having their way with an outmatched opponent.  To say that the experience inside the venue looked amazing would be an understatement.  The visual experience of the pay-per-view main card portion of the event treated fans to a literally unbelievable sight.  Genuinely, one can be told a million times that the stone ceiling being displayed above them is nothing more than a picture on an LED screen.  But like a dream, the attention to detail is so great that when one sees it with their own eyes the mind can be tricked into believing that what it sees is as real as the rest of the environment around them.

That is what the fans were treated to on Saturday night inside the venue, and that is not to speak on the litany of other amenities such as the use of the haptic seats or the unveiling of new attractions inside the atrium.  With fans able to greet, face-off, and even shadow box with virtual projections of the stars of Noche UFC, to merely say that the promotion pulled out all the stops would be unfair to the sheer amount of man-power involved to make it all a reality.

How Noche UFC translated to the home viewer is quite subjective.  Decorated director James Cameron said regarding Avatar: The Way of Water that while he understood that his film would eventually make its way to a streaming service that could be accessed via a mobile device, watching it on a phone meant you were “only watching it halfway” compared to seeing it in a movie theater where you are not multitasking.

PARA MÉXICO 🔥🇲🇽 #NocheUFC in Sphere was pure art 🎨 #UFC306 pic.twitter.com/ts98ZpEaQq

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 15, 2024

That is likely what you needed to be aware of if you were not one of those with a seat in Las Vegas.  Depending on the size of your television or viewing conditions at home, the sheer magnitude of what was being presented may not have always held your attention as it did for those in-person who were being shown something larger than life.  But the UFC did as great a job as any could attempt to do in order to present what was shown in arena on the broadcast.

If the absence of haptic seats did not keep the viewer at home riveted during the film, then the fights on Saturday night certainly made up the difference.  In what ended up being a well-paced night of fights, with only ten matches compared to your typical thirteen to fifteen, the first eight bouts provided plenty of fireworks and back-and-forth action that made for a highly entertaining block of television.

It’s only natural to ask how things can go back to “normal” after such a break from the norm.  For one, White has pointed out that the UFC remains under contract with MGM that will keep them out of the Sphere and at the T-Mobile Arena for the foreseeable future in Las Vegas.  Secondly, there remains a special magic to be had in the eruption of a full arena or stadium when the sport delivers an electrifying finish.  While the audience at the Sphere did their best, they couldn’t compete with the decibels heard back in April when Max Holloway nearly closed the show at UFC 300 almost two hours early or the other moments in packed venues that saw thousands upon thousands brought to their feet.

So what comes next?  On a tangible level, there are more activities for fans to interact with at a time when the brand continues to grow and borrow from their partners under the TKO banner: WWE.  From a broadcast perspective, White has said several of the cameras used during the Sphere event could be added to the UFC’s usual lineup.

When the ✨vision✨becomes reality 🤯

Chapter One:

[ #UFC306 | @RiyadhSeason #NocheUFC ] pic.twitter.com/SWcQQmJWSl

— UFC (@ufc) September 15, 2024

But similar to venturing into outdoor stadiums or the introduction of the BMF belt, a new element is now on the table and fans regard it as part of the game.  Everyone knows there’s now a special kind of event that can be put on for the right circumstances.  That now means that for every special fight, every key milestone, fans will be right to wonder if the perfect storm is on the horizon to be given the special experience that was granted on Saturday.

The post Sphere Event Adds Unforgettable New X Factor to UFC’s Future appeared first on Cageside Press.

Merab Dvalishvili

For years, it has been apparent that Merab Dvalishvili has had the makings of a champion. Thus few were surprised at the outcome of the UFC 306 main event. The only reason Dvalishvili didn’t claim gold sooner was his insistence against fighting friend and teammate Aljamain Sterling. Now, it’s Merab’s time.

His first title defense is pretty much a given: Umar Nurmagomedov. That was made clear on Saturday’s broadcast. Merab might have his eye on Deiveson Figueiredo, but the UFC wants the Nurmagomedov name back in play, and Umar has earned it. If Merab gets past the cousin of Khabib, he might have a rather long reign.

Dvalishvili’s next fight: Umar Nurmagomedov

Valentina Shevchenko

A smart gameplan and no doubt about it this time as Valentina Shevchenko both reclaimed her women’s featherweight title, and evened her series with Alexa Grasso at 1-1-1.

A quadrilogy in the UFC is not unprecedented, as Brandon Moreno and Deiveson Figueiredo did just that, competing four times at flyweight. “Bullet” will likely fight Grasso again, however, there’s really no need for a fourth fight right away.

Instead, Shevchenko should face Manon Fiorot, who has never lost in the UFC with seven victories in the promotion. She’s on a 12-fight win streak, having not suffered defeat since her pro debut.

Shevchenko’s next fight: Manon Fiorot

Diego Lopes

He called for a title shot after the biggest win of his career, but Diego Lopes likely won’t get it. Instead, the featherweight needs at least one more bout to make it to the big time. And that might just come against Alexander Volkanovski. The former champ said Sunday that he’s willing to face Lopes, though only if it’s for an interim title.

There’s no need for an interim belt right now. But make this an official title eliminator and sure. Have the winner face the Ilia Topuria-Max Holloway winner.

Lopes’ next fight: Alexander Volkanovski

Esteban Ribovics

Some were calling Esteban Ribovics’ bout with Daniel Zellhuber at UFC 306 the Fight of the Year. I’d argue it’s up there for Round of the Year (round three), and it earned Fight of the Night. As for Ribovics, you have to give the lightweight a step up after that performance. Have to. Taking that into consideration, #9 Rafael Fiziev comes to mind. He’s coming off a couple of losses but would still be a test for Argentina’s Ribovics.

Ribovics’ next fight: Rafael Fiziev

Ronaldo Rodriguez

Ronaldo Rodriguez vs. Ode Osbourne was another possible Fight of the Night at UFC 306. It was wildly entertaining with a near-finish in the first. Rodriguez came out with his stock soaring following a three-round unanimous decision win. And like Ribovics, he deserves a step up in competition.

Asu Almabayev is fighting Matheus Nicolau next month. Give Rodriguez the winner. Or loser, as that would work as well. Both are ranked flyweights.

Rodriguez’s next fight: Asu Almabayev or Matheus Nicolau

The post What’s Next: UFC 306 Winners appeared first on Cageside Press.

Sean O’Malley

Challenger Merab Dvalishvili cruised to a dominant, grappling laced, unanimous decision victory in UFC 306’s main event over Sean O’Malley. This was just the second loss of O’Malley’s 20 fight pro MMA career. Sean was riding a seven-fight unbeaten streak since losing to Marlon Vera in mid 2020.

After taking a dominant loss like that it’s clear that O’Malley does not need an immediate rematch with Merab. Instead, he should look to build himself back up by fighting a fresh face high up in the rankings. Merab entered the fight as the #1 ranked UFC bantamweight while obviously O’Malley was the reigning champ.

O’Malley should fight another striker in Cory Sandhagen. Cory is ranked a #4 in the UFC’s bantamweight division and was last in action against Umar Nurmagomedov in August. The unanimous decision loss snapped a three-fight winning streak which spawned from an unsuccessful attempt at the vacant 135lbs title. (Opposite of Petr Yan in 2021.)

O’Malley’s next fight: Cory Sandhagen

Alexa Grasso

Valentina Shevchenko was able to implement her gameplan to the fullest extent in a one-sided unanimous decision victory in order recapture the belt from Alexa Grasso. With the result of the trilogy bout, Grasso and Shevchenko are now 1-1-1 against each other.

Shevchenko entered the bout as the #3 ranked women’s bantamweight while Grasso was not only the champ but ranked as the #1 pound-for-pound women’s fighter in the UFC. Obviously, with the TUF season and fighting each other three times, it’s time for a fresh matchup for Grasso as she has not thought about anyone but Shevchenko in nearly two years.

A good next fight for Alexa and keeping with the theme of rematches, would be a fight against Maycee Barber. Maycee is currently the #4 ranked women’s flyweight and is on a six-fight win streak since losing to Alexa in February of 2021. Barber’s last time out was a unaimous decision victory against Katlyn Cerminara at UFC 299 in March. Most recently, she withdrew from a fight with Rose Namajunas in July.

Grasso’s next fight: Maycee Barber

Brian Ortega

Diego Lopes beat down Brian Ortega over the course of 15 minutes to win a unanimous decision fight on Saturday. A couple of times throughout the bout, Ortega looked like he was seconds away from being finished but was ultimately able to hang in there as he somehow always does.

Ortega entered the fight ranked at #3, while Diego Lopes entered the fight as the #13 ranked UFC featherweight.

Depending on how soon Ortega would like to get back into the octagon, a good matchup could be Giga Chikadze. Giga last fought in July, losing a unanimous decision to Arnold Allen. He’s won just one of his last two fights dating back to January of 2022 and he’s currently the #10 ranked featherweight. A good fight to determine who really deserves to be in the top 10 at 145lbs.

Ortega’s next fight: Giga Chikadze

Daniel Zellhuber

Daniel Zellhuber lost a split decision to Esteban Ribovics in what was an edge of your seat, back-and-forth type of fight, on Saturday. The fight ended up winning fight of the night honors and rightfully so, as both fighters put up nonstop offense and were able to survive getting hurt or stunned multiple times.

Zellhuber is now 3-2 with the UFC, losing on Saturday for the first time since his UFC debut in 2022 opposite of Trey Ogden. With just five appearances in the UFC, and three performance bonuses, it’s clear that Daniel is on the right track.

Chase Hooper would be a good next fight for Zellhuber. Hooper is on a three-fight win streak since moving up to the lightweight division in May of 2023. Two of the fights ended with submissions including his last time out, when he submitted Viacheslav Borshchev with a d’arce in the second round, back in May. Great striker vs grappler matchup of Contender Series alums.

Zellhuber’s next fight: Chase Hooper

Ode Osbourne

Ode Osbourne lost a tough to stomach, unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Ronaldo Rodriguez to open the UFC 306 main card. Osbourne had his moments especially in the beginning of the fight, but was ultimately out grappled, as his opponent was able to claw his way back.

Osbourne is now in a very tricky spot. Now 4-6 with the UFC, he is now on a 3-fight losing streak and has lost four of his last five. Osbourne’s last win was a split decision victory over Charles Johnson in February of 2023.

Ode’s next fight should be against Jimmy Flick. Jimmy has won just one of four fights since his mini retirement ended spanning from 2020-2023. Flick has a loss agaisnt Charles Johnson in that time who is a common opponent between the two. Jimmy was last in action back in June when he lost a unanimous decision to Nate Maness.

Osbourne’s next fight: Jimmy Flick

The post What’s Next: UFC 306 Losers appeared first on Cageside Press.

“Man like i said p*nche c*bron. That mother f*cker’s tough man,” Van told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.

“The thing is he got a long ass arm so even though I think I pull back a little bit his arm would still reach me. It was a little new to me fighting as long as him. He was tough. That’s all I can say he was a tough mother f*cker.”

Van (11-2) used body shots to chop Chairez down, and it proved to be very effective. With Chairez worried about the body shots Van was able to capitalize by mixing his attacks up.

“The second round man I hurt him, but like I said Mexicans are though. He won’t give up. I did my little homework this time around. He didn’t like them body shots that’s why we really trying to go down to the body,” he said.

Following his last bout Van had said he wanted to take some time off, but the call to fight again was too good to pass up.

“I was at the bar taking shots when I got the call for this. I thought I was going to be taking break for two months or so. I was enjoying my best life and the call came, two weeks notice, and we took the fight,” he said.

“This week’s a good experience for me I love it.”

Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Joshua Van above.

The post Joshua Van Was Taking Shots When Noche UFC Call Came appeared first on Cageside Press.

“I’m 19-years-old. This is my fifth fight in the UFC. I’m 4-1. More than anything I made history being the first fighter to ever get their hand raised inside of The Sphere,” Rosas Jr told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.

“I’m thankful for everything that I have at this age.”

Rosas Jr (10-1) came into the fight at less than 100% as he told reporters that he injured his right hand during camp.

“This camp I overcame a lot of adversity. A lot of injuries. My hand is messed up, my right hand, before the fight. I almost decided to pull out, but I couldn’t. It’s such a special event I want to make history,” he said.

“I wasn’t 100% in there. I’m not trying to put excuses. I’m saying that I’m grateful to God. He was able to help me get through this adversity and come with the win.”

With the win secured Rosas Jr says he wants to return once his injuries have healed.

“I do want to get back in there as soon as possible, but first I want to get my injuries solved because I hate pulling out of fights,” said Rosas Jr.

“Before even taking the next fight I want to make sure my hand is ok, my foot is ok, my whole body’s ok, and I can start camp for whoever is next.”

Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Raul Rosas Jr above.

The post Raul Rosas Jr Fought Aoriqileng With Injured Hand, Foot appeared first on Cageside Press.

Also known as UFC 306, the card was held in honor of Mexican Independence Day. Yazmin Juaregui repped Mexico in the fight, which ended with a Souza rear-naked choke submission following an exchange of low blows.

“I’m very happy. My intention was to come and spoil the Independence Day for Mexico,” exclaimed Souza (15-4) following the fight, “and I’m glad I got the victory.”

Speaking with media outlets including Cageside Press backstage at The Sphere in Las Vegas, Souza added that “Yazmin never, as I said in interviews during this week, Yazmin never posed a threat to me. When I look at her stats, when I look at her Sherdog, and the people that I’ve beaten, my stats, my records are way over hers.”

As for the quick finish, off a knockdown, “that was the intention, to come quickly and perform the way I did,” she explained. “We executed this strategy, and I’m happy I got the win.”

The dual low blows that came ahead of the finishing sequence are something almost unheard of in women’s MMA.

“It’s something that doesn’t happen that often,” Souza admitted. Asked about a possible change in terms of uniform/equipment to something more protective, she added “Yeah I think so. As far as I know, there is no protection for women in the genital area. But yeah I think it would be a good change.”

Watch the full UFC 306 post-fight press scrum with Ketlen Souza above.

The post Ketlen Souza Planned on Spoiling Mexican Independence Day at UFC 306 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Shevchenko (24-4-1) admitted in her post-fight scrum that she did indeed miss being champion.

“Of course! Let’s be fair, let’s say truths. When we are joining the big promotions and what is our goal of any fighter? It’s to become champion. To hold the belt,” Shevchenko told Cageside Press.

“When someone loses the belt it’s kind of like, ‘ok I cannot get it back’. That’s why I said it’s not about the belt, it’s about something different, but let’s say truth. Every time it was about the belt. Every time it was to win and be the champion.”

The long time flyweight queen once again sits on her throne except now she has a few challengers to pick from.

“I had little delay on collecting my rubies from both sides,” she said with a laugh referring to the rubies that the UFC now adds to champions belts instead of giving them a new belt every single time they defend.

“I’m back to work.”

Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Valentina Shevchenko above.

The post Valentina Shevchenko Admits She Missed Being Called Champion appeared first on Cageside Press.

The 27-year old from Chile was paired up with Manuel Torres at the event, marketed as this year’s Noche UFC card in honor of Mexican Independence Day. Mexican fighters found their home in the red corner at the event, with the “visitors” at The Sphere in Las Vegas fighting out of the blue corner.

Ignacio was the third straight fighter to score an upset over a Mexican favorite when he finished Torres with strikes on the preliminary card.

Asked if there was a “vibe” or energy in the blue corner on the night, Bahamondes (16-5) told Cageside Press that “it’s crazy, it’s crazy because we knew we were us against Mexico. When we got in the bus, the first thing I said [was] ‘this is the Win Bus. This is the Win Bus.’ So I knew it’s La Noche, it’s for the Mexican people mostly, but we’re going to silence The Spehre, we’re going to go and win. And I think that makes you go a little bit harder.”

“I knew it was going to be hard, the crowd and everything,” he added. “So I go and I went for the kill.”

Speaking of his emotions after the bout, Bahamondes explained that “everything, all the whole experience this whole week has been awesome, been a blessing for me. Just being part of the big event, being there, winning like that, I’m still so high. I don’t think I’m going to be able to sleep tonight.”

Throughout the four minutes or so of cage time on Saturday, Bahamondes showed an impressive ability to slip, dodge, and roll with the punches. He earned his fifth career knockdown in the UFC, without having been dropped himself.

“I’m Chilean. I’m built different. All the Latinos can handle it. I’m Chilean, I’m strong, I’m faster, and I’m smart too,” Bahamondes suggested when asked about his ability to dole out damage without absorbing any in return. “That’s the thing, I know, whenever I’m in danger I know how to survive. That’s what Chileans do. We’ve been in so much trouble always, and we always keep fighting, never give up and get up, keep going forward always.”

Watch the full UFC 306 post-fight press scrum with Ignacio Bahamondes above.

The post Ignacio Bahamondes on Blue Corner Energy at UFC 306 appeared first on Cageside Press.