UFC 306: Merab Dvalishvili dethrones Sean O’Malley for Bantamweight crown

Dvalishvili overwhelmed O'Malley over five rounds, winning via unanimous decision, extending his 11-fight win streak

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Merab Dvalishvili put on a clinic at UFC 306, securing a unanimous decision victory over Sean O'Malley to capture the UFC bantamweight title.

Over the course of five relentless rounds, Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) overwhelmed O'Malley with his trademark pressure, earning scorecards of 49-46 and 48-47 twice, extending his record-breaking 11-fight win streak in the division.

Dvalishvili’s suffocating wrestling and nonstop pace left O'Malley struggling for answers, particularly in the later rounds.

 

 

 

 

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Facing one of the UFC’s most dangerous strikers, Dvalishvili consistently closed the distance, dragging O'Malley to the mat repeatedly.

Although O'Malley had his moments in the third and fifth rounds, Dvalishvili's dominance on the ground, combined with a few bizarre moments like his verbal exchange with O'Malley's coach Tim Welch and an unexpected kiss against the fence in the second round, kept the fight in his control.

In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko reclaimed her UFC women’s flyweight title, defeating Alexa Grasso by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45).

Shevchenko's performance was a masterclass in control, as she landed eight of twelve takedown attempts and dominated over 16 minutes on the ground.

Grasso's best opportunity came in the fourth round when she locked in a guillotine, but Shevchenko escaped and continued to dictate the pace for the remainder of the fight.

The UFC 306 event, held at the groundbreaking Sphere in Las Vegas, was not just a showcase of elite MMA talent but also a visual spectacle. The UFC reportedly invested $20 million in the high-tech venue, which featured massive LED displays and immersive visuals.

As part of the "Noche UFC" celebrations in honor of Mexican Independence Day, the atmosphere was electric, with special presentations and festivities adding to the unique experience.

The undercard delivered as well, with notable victories including Diego Lopes’ unanimous decision over Brian Ortega, Esteban Ribovics’ split decision win against Daniel Zellhuber, and Norma Dumont's dominant decision over Irene Aldana.

Other highlights saw Raul Rosas Jr. pick up a unanimous decision win, while Ignacio Bahamondes scored an impressive first-round TKO victory.

With Dvalishvili now the bantamweight champion, all eyes are on what's next. UFC commentator Joe Rogan hinted that Umar Nurmagomedov could be the next challenger for Dvalishvili, though the newly crowned champion appeared slightly caught off guard by the suggestion.

Regardless, Dvalishvili’s victory solidifies his status as a dominant force in the bantamweight division, and fans eagerly await his next move.