UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad is targeting the final pay-per-view event of the year, U...

UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad is targeting the final pay-per-view event of the year, UFC 310 on Dec. 7 in Las Vegas, for his first title defense, his manager said."Belal wants to fight before the end of the year," Ali Abdelaziz told <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlCWwDxDhAE">ESPN's Brett Okamoto</a>. "He would like to fight on Dec. 7. There's been talk about him fighting in December, but there's no confirmation yet. But most likely you're gonna see Belal (at the) end of the year."Muhammad dethroned former champ Leon Edwards in a unanimous decision victory at UFC 304 in July in England.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Many expect Muhammad's next fight to come against No. 3-ranked contender Shavkat Rakhmonov, who is 6-0 in the UFC. Rakhmonov revealed in August that the promotion tried to book that matchup for UFC 307 on Oct. 5, but Muhammad turned it down due to "timing issues."Abdelaziz said he believes Rakhmonov and former champion Kamaru Usman are both candidates to be the next welterweight title challenger - and it will ultimately come down to which option the UFC prefers."It can be Shavkat, it can be Kamaru Usman, it can be whoever. ... (UFC CEO Dana White) makes the decisions, and whatever they want, Belal is gonna fight," Abdelaziz said. "It doesn't matter who."Abdelaziz also represents Usman, who is ranked No. 2 at 170 pounds but has lost three in a row (including one bout at middleweight). Abdelaziz later said he thinks Usman, one of the greatest welterweights in UFC history, is no more than one victory from another title shot."Kamaru's ready," Abdelaziz said when asked if Usman will also fight before the end of 2024. "Listen ... Kamaru's finally healthy. He got the surgery he needed. And I believe Kamaru is one fight away from a title fight."

Belal Muhammad beats Leon Edwards (Not Pictured) during the Welterweight title bout at the Co-op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Saturday July 27, 2024.

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Manager: Muhammad 'likely' to return at UFC 310 in December

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall will be the backup fighter for the UFC 309 title fi...

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall will be the backup fighter for the UFC 309 title fight between champ Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, UFC CEO Dana White said Tuesday.The promotion officially announced last weekend that Jones-Miocic will headline the Nov. 16 pay-per-view event at Madison Square Garden in New York."Tom Aspinall is next in line for anything that happens after this fight," White told reporters, courtesy of <a href="https://x.com/MMAJunkie/status/1836421351323656195">MMA Junkie</a>.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Jones and Miocic were originally set to square off at UFC 295 last November, but Jones withdrew from the fight after suffering a torn pectoral muscle that required surgery.Aspinall went on to capture the interim title with a first-round knockout of Sergei Pavlovich at that event. However, the UFC brass insisted afterward on waiting to rebook Jones-Miocic rather than moving on to a title unification bout between Jones and Aspinall.Forced to wait for the logjam at the top of the division to sort itself out, Aspinall made a rare interim title defense at UFC 304 in July, finishing Curtis Blaydes in the first round to avenge a 2022 loss.Earlier this week, Aspinall <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0c1N5-TS88">said</a> in a video on his YouTube channel that he plans to attend UFC 309 and will be "ready to go" if Jones or Miocic pulls out.Jones hasn't stepped into the Octagon since March 2023, when he won the vacant heavyweight belt by submitting Ciryl Gane. Former two-time champion Miocic last competed in a March 2021 title loss to Francis Ngannou.Last weekend, Jones, 37, said he'll "more than likely" retire after the Miocic fight.

Tom Aspinall left with Daniel Cormier after he beats Curtis Blaydes (not Pictured) in round one during the Heavyweight bout at the Co-op Live Arena, Manchester. Picture date: Saturday July 27, 2024.

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White: Aspinall to serve as backup for Jones-Miocic at UFC 309

A potential strawweight title eliminator between Tatiana Suarez and Virna Jandiroba is in the wor...

A potential strawweight title eliminator between Tatiana Suarez and Virna Jandiroba is in the works for UFC 310 on Dec. 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, sources told <a href="https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/09/ufc-310-news-tatiana-suarez-vs-virna-jandiroba">MMA Junkie's Nolan King and Farah Hannoun</a>.Suarez and Jandiroba have reportedly verbally agreed to the matchup, though contracts haven't yet been signed.Ranked No. 1 in the 115-pound division, Suarez is coming off a submission win over former champion Jessica Andrade in August 2023. Suarez has seven wins in the UFC and is undefeated as a pro at 10-0.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The 33-year-old spent nearly four years on the sidelines from 2019-23 due to various injuries and health issues. She made her long-awaited return to the Octagon in February last year, submitting Montana De La Rosa.Jandiroba climbed to No. 3 in the division with an armbar victory against Amanda Lemos in a UFC Fight Night main event in July. The Brazilian is riding a four-fight winning streak and is 2-0 this year.The fight between Suarez and Jandiroba could determine strawweight champion Zhang Weili's next opponent, as Zhang has beaten the other three fighters in the top five.Suarez-Jandiroba is just the second addition to UFC 310, the final pay-per-view event of the year. Also set for the card is a light heavyweight tilt between Anthony Smith and Dominick Reyes.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 15: Tatiana Suarez participates in a Q&A session prior to the Noche UFC ceremonial weigh-in at Toshiba Plaza outside T-Mobile Arena on September 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Report: Suarez, Jandiroba verbally agree to UFC 310 bout

Newly crowned UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili addressed Monday the bizarre incident t...

Newly crowned UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili addressed Monday the bizarre incident that occurred at the beginning of his fight against Sean O'Malley.Just seconds into his unanimous decision win over O'Malley at UFC 306 this past weekend, Dvalishvili turned away from his opponent, pointing at and talking to someone cageside. Referee Herb Dean halted the action momentarily and warned Dvalishvili not to engage with the person again, whom the broadcast team guessed was O'Malley's head coach and cornerman, Tim Welch.In a post on X, Dvalishvili said O'Malley's coach did say something to him and was trying to distract him.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"Everyone is asking what happened at start of fight," Dvalishvili <a href="https://x.com/merabdvalishvil/status/1835802644721610762?s=46">wrote</a>. "I was trying to stay professional and focus on the fight only, not wanting to change the energy of the fight. I made no eye contact with O'Malley's team. But when the fight started, I heard his team calling out to me. 'Merab.' Trying to coach, provoke, and distract me."I yelled back at them, 'Cut it out and coach your own guy.'"<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
It looks like Sean O'Malley's coach, Tim Welch, was back to his old tricks against Merab Dvalishvili 🫣😅<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC306?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC306</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NocheUFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NocheUFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/glYtUscjaf">pic.twitter.com/glYtUscjaf</a>— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) <a href="https://twitter.com/ufcontnt/status/1835317650286600666?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Dvalishvili said O'Malley's coach's actions were "not professional.""This is the way they want their fighter to win," Dvalishvili wrote. "It's a shame how disrespectful they are and that they have zero sportsmanship."Welch addressed the situation in a video on his YouTube channel and confirmed that he talked to Dvalishvili during the fight."First round comes out, and what I said to Merab was, 'Merab, you need to be patient.' And that's when he freaked out," Welch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXPYNjOpSTw">said</a>. "He started bucking himself around, and I was like, 'Holy cow. I just said, Merab, be patient.' He must've been anticipating that a little bit. But I really wasn't going out of my way to yell, but I did say that."Welch added that the referee then told him not to say anything to Dvalishvili."I was surprised how much (Dvalishvili) freaked out," Welch said. "He let his emotions get to him in there. But (it) didn't do anything. Didn't matter."

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia (L) argues with the referee as the fight against Sean O’Malley of the United States begins for the bantamweight title during UFC 306: Riyadh Season Noche at Sphere on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Dvalishvili: O'Malley's coach tried to 'provoke' me during fight

Sean O'Malley is scheduled to undergo surgery after losing the UFC bantamweight title to Merab Dv...

Sean O'Malley is scheduled to undergo surgery after losing the UFC bantamweight title to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306, which he said will lead to an extended break from fighting.O'Malley tore the labrum in his left hip about 10 weeks ago and has a procedure scheduled for Oct. 3, he told internet personality <a href="https://x.com/full_send_mma/status/1835851183728316878">Adin Ross</a>. O'Malley, who suffered his first defeat in over four years against Dvalishvili this past weekend at Sphere in Las Vegas, said it'll be "nine months, 10 months, maybe a year" before he steps back into the Octagon."It's gonna be a while," O'Malley said on his "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cKSTQe6JX0">TimboSugarShow</a>" podcast. "People are gonna have to watch the UFC without the Suga Show for a little bit."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>O'Malley, who fought twice in 2024 and once in 2023, said recovery from the surgery will take about two months."It's gonna feel good to take a legit break to get fully healthy," O'Malley said. "You always have little f-----g whatevers. It's gonna be nice to take a legit, full-on break without something like, 'Oh, this is next, this is next.'"Right after the (Aljamain Sterling) fight, I knew I had the (Marlon) 'Chito' (Vera) fight. Right after the 'Chito' fight, I knew I had the Merab fight. And now after this fight, I don't have anything. Nothing scheduled. ... It's like, no one's next. I gotta get healthy, and that's it. I'm gonna actually heal up from injuries and take my time and come back."O'Malley, who came into his second 135-pound title defense riding a seven-fight unbeaten streak, said he has zero excuses for his one-sided decision loss in which Dvalishvili took him down six times and controlled him on the ground for over 10 minutes. UFC CEO Dana White said after the fight he thought O'Malley "looked flat," but the former champion insisted he felt good in the cage."My mom, too, she was like, 'You just weren't the same. What was wrong?'" O'Malley said. "I'm like, 'Nothing.' I just got beat."O'Malley added that he thinks Dvalishvili was stronger but not necessarily more skilled than him, and he regrets not trying harder to get back to his feet."I should've used more energy to get up and break away instead of thinking, 'F--k, I need to do this again next round if he takes me down.' I needed to just go," O'Malley said. "That's probably what I've taken away from (the fight) without watching it. I shouldn't have tried to conserve my energy for the later rounds. I should've just got up and got away."O'Malley's best moment of the fight came late in the fifth round when he hurt Dvalishvili to the body with a front kick. He said the glimmer of hope at the end makes the loss sting the most."I know I can beat him, which is, I guess, what sucks," O'Malley said. "He beat me on the day that matters - that's the one that matters."

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: Sean O'Malley looks on during the UFC 306 at Riyadh Season Noche UFC event at Sphere on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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O'Malley to have hip surgery, won't fight for 'a while' after UFC 306 loss

The rematch between Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards has been resch...

The rematch between Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards has been rescheduled for the PFL's pay-per-view card Oct. 19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the promotion announced Tuesday.Eblen and Edwards were slated to headline Bellator Champions Series London on Sept. 14, but the fight was postponed earlier this month for an undisclosed reason.Eblen-Edwards 2 is the fourth main-card bout set for the PFL's upcoming PPV Super Fight event, headlined by former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou's highly anticipated promotional debut against Renan Ferreira.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Eblen is seeking the third defense of his Bellator 185-pound title. The undefeated American Top Team product is coming off a split-decision win over Impa Kasanganay in a February non-title bout.Edwards, the brother of former UFC welterweight champ Leon, defeated Aaron Jeffery by decision at Bellator Champions Series Belfast in March to set up the rematch.Eblen knocked out Edwards in his second title defense in September 2023, scoring a third-round finish at Bellator 299 in Dublin.The Oct. 19 card will also feature a fight between Bellator women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg and PFL titleholder Larissa Pacheco and a lightweight bout between AJ McKee and Paul Hughes.

Dublin , Ireland - 23 September 2023; Johnny Eblen celebrates after winning his Middleweight fight against Fabian Edwards during the Bellator 299 at 3 Arena in Dublin.

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Eblen to defend Bellator title vs. Edwards at Oct. 19 PFL PPV

The UFC's debut at Sphere is in the books.  Merab Dvalishvili captured the bantamweight title on ...

The UFC's debut at Sphere is in the books.Merab Dvalishvili captured the bantamweight title on Saturday, defeating Sean O'Malley via unanimous decision in the UFC 306 main event in Las Vegas.In the co-headliner, Valentina Shevchenko shut out Alexa Grasso in their trilogy bout to regain the women's flyweight belt.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Here are five takeaways from the pay-per-view event.<h3>Home run or not, Sphere was a unique experience</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745340/cropped_GettyImages-2172055758.jpg?ts=1726439859" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745340/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172055758.jpg?ts=1726439859 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745340/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172055758.jpg?ts=1726439859 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745340/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172055758.jpg?ts=1726439859 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745340/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172055758.jpg?ts=1726439859 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745340/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172055758.jpg?ts=1726439859 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Cooper Neill / UFC / Getty</figcaption></figure>One thing hardcore fans have wanted from the UFC for years is a bit more creativity in its production.Historically, the UFC can hold an event at Madison Square Garden or at a stadium in Australia and you can't tell the difference watching on TV. It's both a dream and a curse - the UFC can set up shop anywhere and put out a good product, but it gets repetitive.UFC CEO Dana White has never been in favor of extravagant walkouts or anything too over the top, instead preferring to let the fights themselves be the star of the show. But the UFC went all out with its first (and potentially last) event at Sphere.The UFC 306 production got off to a slow start, but by the time the main card rolled around, the visuals were breathtaking - even watching on TV at home. There were some doubts going in, but it's fair to say the UFC used Sphere's 160,000-square-foot LED screen to its full effect.Perhaps you thought the UFC's debut at Sphere would look a little different than it did. Sure, the LED backdrop could've been incorporated into the walkouts a bit more. Or the storytelling could've been more coherent. Or the event could've been shorter. Nothing's ever perfect, but this was a damn good first attempt at a live sporting event inside such a unique venue like Sphere.White said it himself - this was a different experience than what MMA fans usually get on a Saturday night. And when the UFC's back at the Apex next month, you'll be grateful it happened.<h3>Dvalishvili got past O'Malley with ease, but his toughest test awaits</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745339/cropped_GettyImages-2172056386.jpg?ts=1726439782" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745339/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172056386.jpg?ts=1726439782 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745339/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172056386.jpg?ts=1726439782 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745339/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172056386.jpg?ts=1726439782 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745339/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172056386.jpg?ts=1726439782 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745339/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172056386.jpg?ts=1726439782 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</figcaption></figure>Dvalishvili was the bantamweight division's boogeyman for a long time, the relentless wrestler with an endless gas tank that few talked about and even fewer wanted to face. Finally given a chance to capture UFC gold after winning 10 straight fights, Dvalishvili did what Dvalishvili does; he executed a perfect game plan and shut down O'Malley's offense. And now the man appropriately nicknamed "The Machine" is whom the rest of the division is chasing.Though it wasn't the most entertaining main event, Dvalishvili put on an impressive performance by completing six takedowns, racking up 10 minutes of control time, and even landing more significant strikes than O'Malley. Dvalishvili said it best after the fight - he made the former champion look "normal."But Dvalishvili can't - or at least shouldn't - get too comfortable as the new king of the 135-pound division. There's a new boogeyman waiting in the wings that has the capability of testing Dvalishvili like no one else. Enter Umar Nurmagomedov, whom White said last month would likely face the O'Malley-Dvalishvili winner.If there's anyone who can neutralize Dvalishvili's wrestling, it's Nurmagomedov, who lives up to the famous last name with his grueling, elite-level grappling. The key here is that Nurmagomedov showed in his most recent win over Cory Sandhagen last month that he can strike, too. Whenever Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov meet in the Octagon - because, yes, that does seem inevitable - there's a good chance their ground games will cancel each other out and we'll get a kickboxing match instead. And on paper, that doesn't necessarily bode well for Dvalishvili's chances.<h3>O'Malley has a lot of fight left in him</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745342/cropped_GettyImages-2172056854.jpg?ts=1726439922" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745342/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172056854.jpg?ts=1726439922 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745342/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172056854.jpg?ts=1726439922 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745342/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172056854.jpg?ts=1726439922 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745342/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172056854.jpg?ts=1726439922 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745342/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172056854.jpg?ts=1726439922 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</figcaption></figure>It's hard to imagine a worse outcome for O'Malley than what transpired. His biggest moment of the fight - and really the only time he came close to threatening Dvalishvili - was in the last 90 seconds, and by then it was far too late to mount a comeback.The UFC built its Sphere card around O'Malley for a reason. He had a chance to break even further into the mainstream and might've been the second-biggest star in the sport had he won. But, in many ways, he blew it, and the "Suga" era came to a screeching halt before it could really get going.It's not all bad news for O'Malley, though.He's still just 29 years old. He's in his prime and should be able to use this loss to get better. Although this backstage moment might've been more for show than anything else, at least O'Malley is already recognizing he needs better takedown defense.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
😂 Sean O'Malley is back to training his takedown defense. Gotta love the spirit. 🎥 <a href="https://twitter.com/SugaSeanMMA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SugaSeanMMA</a> <a href="https://t.co/o93NfHj5cO">pic.twitter.com/o93NfHj5cO</a>— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) <a href="https://twitter.com/Home_of_Fight/status/1835219443951042801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The road back to the title promises to be a tough one, because Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov are both stylistic nightmares for O'Malley. But as long as he can make the necessary improvements, he'll still be a factor in the bantamweight division for years to come. This is far from the last we've seen of O'Malley as a contender.<h3>Shevchenko's legacy continues to grow</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/cropped_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745341/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172053864.jpg?ts=1726439907 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</figcaption></figure>Surprise, surprise. The flyweight queen is back.Just when we thought Shevchenko, one of the greatest women's fighters of all time, might've finally lost a step over the last year and a half, she delivered one of the most dominant performances of her career to regain the throne and become the first two-time champion in women's 125-pound history.It wasn't the prettiest victory, because once Shevchenko discovered she could take Grasso down at will, she never looked back. Shevchenko scored eight takedowns in the fight, resulting in 16 minutes of control time but not a ton of damage. Grasso defended well on the ground, but Shevchenko completely shut down her offense.Ultimately, Shevchenko did what she needed to do to snap a two-fight winless streak and reestablish herself as one of the best active fighters in women's MMA. Doing so at the age of 36 - and in her 22nd year as a pro MMA fighter - is ridiculously impressive. This title win closes the gap between Shevchenko and Amanda Nunes, the consensus women's GOAT, a little bit. An already great legacy is now even greater.And if you thought Shevchenko was done as a championship-level flyweight, you were very wrong.<h3>Lopes is a legitimate contender at 145 pounds</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745344/cropped_GettyImages-2172050514.jpg?ts=1726439965" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745344/w220xh124_GettyImages-2172050514.jpg?ts=1726439965 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745344/w320xh180_GettyImages-2172050514.jpg?ts=1726439965 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745344/w640xh360_GettyImages-2172050514.jpg?ts=1726439965 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745344/w768xh432_GettyImages-2172050514.jpg?ts=1726439965 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745344/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2172050514.jpg?ts=1726439965 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty</figcaption></figure>Diego Lopes entered the featherweight title mix with a huge win over longtime contender Brian Ortega on Saturday.Lopes will likely be a candidate for Fighter of the Year in December after scoring his third victory of 2024. He's had a quick rise since debuting in the UFC in May 2023, and it's been thrilling to watch. In the span of 16 months, Lopes went from losing a short-notice bout as a relative unknown (against Movsar Evloev of all people) to taking out one of the 10 best fighters in featherweight history.His wins over Sodiq Yusuff and Dan Ige were impressive, but they didn't quite propel him to contention. This one did. Ortega was ranked No. 3 and Lopes No. 12 going in, and now Lopes might be just one victory away from a shot at Ilia Topuria's title.

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UFC 306 takeaways: Dvalishvili has the title, but biggest test awaits

Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan wants an opportunity to avenge his loss to Sean O'Malle...

Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan wants an opportunity to avenge his loss to Sean O'Malley.After O'Malley dropped the 135-pound title to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 on Saturday at Las Vegas' Sphere, Yan expressed interest in a rematch with "Suga" on social media."I never considered Sean a real champion, because he was gifted decision against me in Abu Dhabi," Yan <a href="https://x.com/PetrYanUFC/status/1835214318587228301">tweeted</a>. "Rematch season is open, so see you soon."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>O'Malley pulled off a big upset when he faced Yan at UFC 280 in October 2022, winning a somewhat controversial split decision. That was his final fight before challenging - and beating - then-champion Aljamain Sterling in August 2023.Yan is 1-1 since the fight against O'Malley, which includes a loss to Dvalishvili and a recent win over Song Yadong.The 31-year-old Russian congratulated Dvalishvili on the title victory and <a href="https://x.com/PetrYanUFC/status/1835214030350303472">wrote</a>, "Hopefully we can meet again in the future."Before O'Malley's defeat, Yan had been targeting a matchup against fellow top-five bantamweight and former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo. Yan, who last competed in March, has said he wants to return at UFC 310 on Dec. 7 in Las Vegas.

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 22: (R-L) Petr Yan of Russia battles Sean O'Malley in a bantamweight fight during the UFC 280 event at Etihad Arena on October 22, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

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Yan calls out O'Malley: 'Rematch season is open'

You could almost hear the relief in Dana White's voice when he sat down at the UFC 306 postfight ...

You could almost hear the relief in Dana White's voice when he sat down at the UFC 306 postfight press conference.After a months-long lead-up to the UFC's debut event at Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday - which White promised would be the greatest show in combat sports history - it was finally over. And the UFC CEO believes it went off without a hitch."Literally the whole thing was seamless," White <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKNLWJXHP18">said</a>. "It went perfect. We didn't have a lot of time to rehearse. That was our big worry coming in here. But they nailed it. The team absolutely nailed it. ... It was absolutely amazing."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Merab Dvalishvili defeated Sean O'Malley to become the new bantamweight champion in the main event, though the star of the show was the 160,000-square-foot interior LED backdrop that makes Sphere one of the most groundbreaking and immersive arenas in the world. The event was held in celebration of Mexican Independence Day and boasted incredible CGI scenery and short films that attempted to pay tribute to Mexican culture and combat sports.White said he believes the production quality was "off the charts.""The other thing that we accomplished is that it translated well on the television, too," White said. "I feel like people felt like it was a different experience than they get on a normal Saturday night for a UFC event."From the CGI to haptic seats, White said the UFC left no stone unturned when it came to utilizing all of Sphere's technology.He said there are also "tons of things" from Saturday's event that will spill over into future UFC productions, such as specific cameras and drones the organization used."We did everything that this building is capable of doing," White said. "And some things it's not capable of doing."Though White considers UFC 306 an overall success, he's adamant he won't be back at Sphere."No," White said. "I'm under contract with MGM. So, yeah. I'm under contract. I told you guys leading up to this, the way that this whole thing played out, tonight was meant to happen. So it happened, we did it, we killed it."He added: "We showed everybody tonight what's possible. You can do more than concerts here and you can pull them off and you can make them great. Who's next?"

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 12: UFC CEO Dana White is seen on stage during the UFC 306 at Riyadh Season Noche UFC press conference at Sphere on September 12, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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White says UFC 'nailed' Sphere event: We showed 'what's possible'

UFC CEO Dana White was critical of Sean O'Malley's performance against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 3...

UFC CEO Dana White was critical of Sean O'Malley's performance against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 on Saturday.O'Malley dropped the bantamweight title to Dvalishvili in a lopsided unanimous decision defeat. The fight headlined the promotion's highly anticipated debut event at Sphere in Las Vegas."(O'Malley) looked flat," White said at the postfight press conference. "He didn't look sharp, he didn't look crisp - until the last round."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Dvalishvili used his trademark wrestling to suffocate O'Malley on the ground, completing six takedowns over 25 minutes. O'Malley's biggest moment came late in the fifth round when he hurt Dvalishvili to the body with a front kick. But Dvalishvili fended O'Malley's attempt at a Hail Mary finish and sealed the victory.Dvalishvili also outstruck O'Malley 82-47 in significant strikes."(O'Malley) hurt (Dvalishvili) with that body shot," White said. "He knew he hurt him with the body shot, and he kept going in and trying to finish. But I looked at the punch stats. There was like six in a couple of the rounds."O'Malley addressed the loss on X after not giving a postfight interview in the Octagon."Over promised, underdelivered," O'Malley <a href="https://x.com/SugaSeanMMA/status/1835212541577834898">wrote</a>. "Sorry. Love you guys."O'Malley emerged as one of the biggest stars in the UFC when he knocked out Aljamain Sterling to win the 135-pound title in August 2023. "Suga" further solidified his star power with a dominant victory over Marlon "Chito" Vera in his first title defense at UFC 299 in March. With his popularity rising, it was no surprise the promotion picked O'Malley to headline its inaugural event at Sphere, the groundbreaking, immersive venue that opened last fall.However, White dismissed the notion that O'Malley's performance may have been affected by the pressure that comes with being the face of the card."You'd have to ask him that. I don't know the answer to that question," White said. "But I think that he's one of those kids that lives for moments like this. This is what he's all about. He's that guy. I don't know if he just got in there tonight and fell flat. Some nights, it's just - it is what it is."The loss to Dvalishvili was just the second of O'Malley's professional MMA career.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: Sean O’Malley of the United States reacts after losing his bantamweight title to Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia during UFC 306: Riyadh Season Noche at Sphere on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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White: O'Malley 'looked flat' in UFC 306 loss

"The Machine" era has begun.  Merab Dvalishvili defeated Sean O'Malley via unanimous decision (49...

"The Machine" era has begun.Merab Dvalishvili defeated Sean O'Malley via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) to capture the UFC bantamweight title in the UFC 306 main event Saturday night at Sphere in Las Vegas.Dvalishvili used his trademark wrestling, pace, pressure, and cardio to take the belt away from O'Malley. He completed six of 15 takedown attempts and put up over 10 minutes of control time to largely dominate O'Malley from start to finish.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I know (O'Malley) was good, but I make him normal," Dvalishvili said in his postfight interview. "I make him look normal. ... Today, I am the best fighter in the UFC, OK? I prove."Dvalishvili is now the second active UFC champion to represent Georgia, joining featherweight champ Ilia Topuria.Dvalishvili's first title defense will likely come against No. 2-ranked contender Umar Nurmagomedov, who was in attendance at Sphere and shown on the broadcast after the fight. Dvalishvili was asked about Nurmagomedov potentially being his next opponent, but the new champion didn't want to discuss the future."Let's leave it like this," said Dvalishvili, who dismissed Nurmagomedov as a worthy challenger before UFC 306. "I just won the belt. I was working 12 years (to win the UFC title)."After a brief feeling-out process in Round 1, Dvalishvili took an early lead against O'Malley with an easy takedown. He also landed punches against the fence and took O'Malley to the mat again later in the stanza.Dvalishvili scored a perfectly timed takedown two minutes into the second round and continued to control and suffocate. O'Malley tried to set up a couple of submissions off his back, but Dvalishvili faced minimal resistance overall.O'Malley did better work in the third - the closest round of the fight - by staying upright for most of it and connecting with a few hard punches. O'Malley nearly landed a huge knee up the middle.But Dvalishvili dominated Round 4 and began to run away with the fight in those five minutes. He timed a takedown beautifully in the middle of the Octagon and stayed busy on top. Dvalishvili landed short elbows and applied constant pressure. He also wore O'Malley down in the clinch with heavy knees.Dvalishvili landed a high-amplitude takedown a minute and a half into the fifth round, and it seemed he'd coast to victory. However, O'Malley returned to his feet and went for a Hail Mary finish, hurting Dvalishvili in the body with a front kick with 90 seconds left in the fight. Dvalishvili grimaced and was on the retreat for a few seconds. O'Malley then stuffed Dvalishvili's takedown attempt and landed a knee. But, in the final seconds, Dvalishvili managed to get O'Malley to the ground and seal the victory.Dvalishvili's triumph extends his winning streak to 11, a divisional record. The 33-year-old hasn't suffered a loss since his second UFC bout in 2018. Dvalishvili earned a title shot by beating former two-division champ Henry Cejudo at UFC 298 in February.Saturday's loss hands O'Malley just the second defeat of his professional MMA career. "Suga" was riding a seven-fight unbeaten streak coming in.O'Malley captured the 135-pound title with a second-round knockout of Dvalishvili's friend and teammate, Aljamain Sterling, in August 2023. The 29-year-old successfully defended it once with a dominant win over Marlon "Chito" Vera at UFC 299 in March.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: (L-R) Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia trades punches with Sean O'Malley in the UFC bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 306 at Riyadh Season Noche UFC event at Sphere on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Dvalishvili smothers O'Malley to capture UFC bantamweight title

Valentina Shevchenko defeated Alexa Grasso via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) in their ...

Valentina Shevchenko defeated Alexa Grasso via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) in their trilogy bout to recapture the UFC women's flyweight championship Saturday night.With the victory, Shevchenko became the first two-time titleholder in women's 125-pound history.The fight served as the UFC 306 co-main event at Sphere in Las Vegas. The pay-per-view card was held to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, and Grasso entered the event as the promotion's only Mexican-born titleholder.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Shevchenko lost the belt to Grasso via fourth-round submission in March 2023 and failed to regain the throne when their September 2023 rematch ended in a split draw.Shevchenko relied on her grappling to cruise past Grasso, securing eight takedowns across five rounds. "Bullet" also outlanded Grasso 45-18 in significant strikes, all but shutting down the former champion's offense.Grasso attempted a few submissions off her back, including a tight guillotine in the fourth round. But Shevchenko fended them off and continued to dominate the fight.Shevchenko, one of the greatest women's fighters in MMA history, earned her first victory since a June 2022 title defense against Taila Santos. Shevchenko originally captured the flyweight title in December 2018 and successfully defended it seven times during her first reign.Grasso's six-fight unbeaten streak ended with her first loss since September 2019.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: (L-R) Alexa Grasso of Mexico fights Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan for the Women's Flyweight title during UFC 306: Riyadh Season Noche at Sphere on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Shevchenko dominates Grasso to reclaim UFC flyweight belt

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones will defend his title against former champ Stipe Miocic in the...

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones will defend his title against former champ Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York, the promotion announced Saturday.The event will also feature a middleweight bout between rising star Bo Nickal and Paul Craig.Jones-Miocic was originally scheduled to headline UFC 295 at the same venue last November. However, a torn pectoral muscle that required surgery forced Jones out of the fight.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Jones hasn't stepped into the Octagon since capturing the vacant heavyweight title with a first-round submission of Ciryl Gane in March 2023. The 37-year-old was a longtime light heavyweight champion before moving up in weight to compete for a second belt.Miocic's last fight came in March 2021 when he dropped the heavyweight title to Francis Ngannou in a second-round knockout loss. The 42-year-old held the strap on two occasions and is widely considered the greatest heavyweight in UFC history.In the UFC 309 co-main event, Michael Chandler will return from a two-year layoff to face former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in a rematch of their 2021 title bout.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 4: Jon Jones celebrates his victory over Ciryl Gane in their Heavyweight fight during the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 4, 2023 in Las Vegas, NV, USA.

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Jones-Miocic to headline UFC 309 in New York

Diego Lopes rose to featherweight title contention with a lopsided unanimous decision win over Br...

Diego Lopes rose to featherweight title contention with a lopsided unanimous decision win over Brian Ortega at UFC 306 on Saturday night at Sphere in Las Vegas.The judges scored the fight 30-26, 30-27, and 30-27.Lopes and Ortega were ranked No. 12 and No. 3, respectively, heading into the matchup.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Lopes made a statement to open the bout by dropping Ortega with a barrage of punches in the first minute. Lopes got on top of Ortega and landed heavy elbows and other ground-and-pound shots. Ortega survived the onslaught and tried to lock in a triangle choke but was unsuccessful.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
DIEGO LOPES JUST DROPPED BRIAN ORTEGA 😱 [ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC306?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC306</a> at <a href="https://twitter.com/RiyadhSeason?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RiyadhSeason</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NocheUFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NocheUFC</a> live RIGHT NOW on <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNPlus</a> PPV ] <a href="https://t.co/0N8tHWW2VH">pic.twitter.com/0N8tHWW2VH</a>— UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1835164845324300730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>The second and third rounds were more competitive, but Lopes still controlled the fight in the stand-up department by staying busier and landing heavier shots. Lopes landed a number of kicks that took a toll on his opponent.He stuffed an Ortega takedown attempt midway through the third round and finished the fight by landing a flurry of punches that bloodied Ortega's face.Lopes is now riding a five-fight winning streak after scoring his fourth victory in the last 10 months. The 29-year-old Brazilian, who resides in Mexico, has only lost once in the UFC: in his debut with the promotion against Movsar Evloev in May 2023. Lopes is likely just one win away from a title shot after taking out the No. 3-ranked contender.Ortega was coming off a submission win over Yair Rodriguez at UFC Mexico City in February, which was his first Octagon appearance in nearly two years. Ortega, a former 145-pound title challenger, is 1-3 in his last four bouts dating back to 2021.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: Diego Lopes of Brazil enters the Octagon in a featherweight fight during the UFC 306 at Riyadh Season Noche UFC event at Sphere on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Lopes batters Ortega for biggest win of career

In the months leading up to the UFC's inaugural event at Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday night, D...

In the months leading up to the UFC's inaugural event at Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday night, Dana White and Co. were tight-lipped about what the venue would look like. But the first videos from UFC 306 are here.UFC 306 is the first live sporting event to take place at Sphere, a state-of-the-art arena that opened last fall at a cost of $2.3 billion. Sphere boasts a 160,000-square-foot interior LED display, which can be seen below:<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
First look inside Sphere for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NocheUFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NocheUFC</a> 😮 Stream <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC306?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC306</a> LIVE on ESPN+ PPV ➡️ <a href="https://t.co/Hu0TWK2A7s">https://t.co/Hu0TWK2A7s</a> <a href="https://t.co/rHl1Tm6iWg">pic.twitter.com/rHl1Tm6iWg</a>— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1835101531105821148?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>UFC 306, which is also branded as Noche UFC, celebrates Mexican Independence Day and features several Mexican fighters, including women's flyweight champion Alexa Grasso. A series of short films will be shown throughout the pay-per-view broadcast to tell the history of Mexican combat sports.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Here's a look at Sphere during the first fight between Raul Rosas Jr. and Aoriqileng:<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Thoughts so far? <a href="https://t.co/R37ibopSyC">pic.twitter.com/R37ibopSyC</a>— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) <a href="https://twitter.com/arielhelwani/status/1835103782390448618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Here's what the broadcast looked like during the opening matchup:<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
FIRST FIGHT IS DELIVERING 📦 [ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC306?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC306</a> is LIVE NOW on <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNPlus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPNPlus</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/RiyadhSeason?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RiyadhSeason</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NocheUFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NocheUFC</a> ] <a href="https://t.co/KsJqkznE3G">pic.twitter.com/KsJqkznE3G</a>— UFC (@ufc) <a href="https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1835106324847198467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>A different look at Sphere was shown Saturday morning on "Good Morning America":<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
HAPPENING NOW: UFC 306 is set to illuminate the Las Vegas Sphere on Mexican Independence weekend, featuring seven fighters of Mexican heritage in a special "UFC Noche" event. ABC News' <a href="https://twitter.com/JaclynLeeTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JaclynLeeTV</a> gives us an exclusive look.<a href="https://t.co/dU25se74DI">https://t.co/dU25se74DI</a> <a href="https://t.co/FFI5QV2n0F">pic.twitter.com/FFI5QV2n0F</a>— Good Morning America (@GMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/GMA/status/1834956491003970012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>A hologram of UFC CEO White welcomed fans in the venue lobby:<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This hologram of Spanish speaking Dana White will greet fans as they enter the Sphere for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NocheUFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NocheUFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/FogMMrrT4B">pic.twitter.com/FogMMrrT4B</a>— José Youngs (@JoseYoungs) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoseYoungs/status/1835080355877208412?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: A general view of the Octagon during the UFC 306 at Riyadh Season Noche UFC event at Sphere on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Watch: Inside look at Sphere as UFC 306 takes over

Ahead of Saturday's UFC 306 in Las Vegas, theScore's Nick Baldwin makes his picks for the main-ca...

Ahead of Saturday's UFC 306 in Las Vegas, theScore's Nick Baldwin makes his picks for the main-card bouts.<h3>Bantamweight championship</h3>Sean O'Malley (18-1, 1 NC) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (17-4)Sean O'Malley could cement himself as the biggest star in the UFC not named Conor McGregor with an impressive victory in the main event of the promotion's highly anticipated debut at Sphere this weekend in Las Vegas. But there is a man who will be trying to put a swift end to the Suga Era instead - Merab Dvalishvili.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>O'Malley-Dvalishvili was one of the best and most intriguing matchups the UFC could put together in 2024, because neither man has fought someone like this before. O'Malley is taller and longer than all of Dvalishvili's past UFC opponents, and Dvalishvili is a better wrestler than anyone O'Malley has faced. It's a truly thrilling clash of styles, and it's no surprise the odds are close. O'Malley is listed as a -130 favorite on theScore Bet and Dvalishvili a +110 underdog.Long before the fight was a real thing, and even after it was announced, I thought I was going to pick Dvalishvili to dethrone O'Malley. For a while, the Georgian fighter has felt kind of like the division's uncrowned champion. He's not one of Dana White's favorite fighters, so he essentially had to force the UFC to give him a title shot by winning 10 fights in a row. And throughout that winning streak, it's the dominance that Dvalishvili has shown - particularly against former champ Petr Yan - that have made people wonder whether anyone at 135 pounds can beat him.But as we've gotten closer to UFC 306, I've found myself growing to the idea that O'Malley is Dvalishvili's kryptonite.Some might say O'Malley was a bit overhyped after his win on Dana White's Contender Series in 2017. He had some good and not-so-good performances in his first few years in the UFC. But in the last two years, something clicked. O'Malley strung together a few wins - over Yan, Aljamain Sterling, and Marlon "Chito" Vera - that rightfully put him up there with the best pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC.The improvements are evident. O'Malley's control of range on the feet, and the precision, timing, and power in his striking, are all second to none. And his takedown defense is competent, which is very important if he wants to get past Dvalishvili.Appropriately nicknamed "The Machine," Dvalishvili overwhelms his opponents with a kind of pace and cardio that shouldn't even be allowed in a cage fight. He gets stronger the longer a fight goes, and he'll never, ever quit. He eats other bantamweights alive in the clinch and, more often than not, ends up on top of them. He is a nightmare matchup for a lot of people in the division.Dvalishvili is without a doubt the hardest matchup O'Malley will have faced to date. However, Dvalishvili is a human being, and he has been rocked in fights before. Marlon Moraes had him on the ropes, and Henry Cejudo tagged him good, too. Dvalishvili is tough, but he's never been hit by someone like O'Malley. And you don't want to get hit by O'Malley - just ask Dvalishvili's teammate, Sterling.This fight is extremely close on paper, but there's a good chance it'll end up being lopsided. It all depends where it plays out. If O'Malley keeps it on the feet, he'll pick apart Dvalishvili and maybe finish him. If Dvalishvili is relentless with takedowns and pressure, he'll seize the throne. But based on the wide gap in skill in the stand-up department, and Dvalishvili's tendency to leave himself open to the occasional big shot, my gut is telling me this is ultimately O'Malley's fight to lose.The pick: O'Malley, second-round TKO<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744933/cropped_GettyImages-2171736466.jpg?ts=1726243760" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744933/w220xh124_GettyImages-2171736466.jpg?ts=1726243760 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744933/w320xh180_GettyImages-2171736466.jpg?ts=1726243760 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744933/w640xh360_GettyImages-2171736466.jpg?ts=1726243760 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744933/w768xh432_GettyImages-2171736466.jpg?ts=1726243760 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/744933/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2171736466.jpg?ts=1726243760 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</figcaption></figure><h3>Women's flyweight championship</h3>Alexa Grasso (16-3-1) vs. Valentina Shevchenko (23-4-1)After a shocking submission and a back-and-forth thriller that ended in a split draw - and then a stint as coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter 32" - Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko will finally complete their trilogy in the co-main event.Based on how their first two fights went, their third - and seemingly final - meeting is extremely tough to call. Shevchenko was winning the first fight in March 2023 before Grasso capitalized with a fourth-round rear-naked choke, and the September 2023 rematch came down to a single scorecard in the fifth round. In that fight, the two flyweights were competitive with each other on the feet and both had some big moments on the ground. Clearly, not a whole lot separates them.My pick comes down to the fact that Grasso, 31, is five years younger than Shevchenko, 36, and the presumption that she has more gas in the tank. Shevchenko has been around the fight game for two decades, and it eventually catches up to everyone - even an all-time great like Shevchenko. Simply by getting caught with a choke and then fighting to a draw, the once-dominant Shevchenko - who has seven women's flyweight title defenses to her name - has shown signs of slowing down. And she's only getting older.I suspect the trilogy bout will be roughly just as competitive as the rematch, and in a situation like that, it's easier to put your trust in the younger fighter with better reflexes. After an entertaining 25 minutes of action, some may even think Shevchenko did enough on the scorecards, but Grasso is going to edge it out again on Mexican Independence Day weekend.The pick: Grasso, unanimous decision<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745024/cropped_GettyImages-2171736709.jpg?ts=1726265800" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745024/w220xh124_GettyImages-2171736709.jpg?ts=1726265800 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745024/w320xh180_GettyImages-2171736709.jpg?ts=1726265800 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745024/w640xh360_GettyImages-2171736709.jpg?ts=1726265800 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745024/w768xh432_GettyImages-2171736709.jpg?ts=1726265800 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745024/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2171736709.jpg?ts=1726265800 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</figcaption></figure><h3>Featherweight bout</h3>Brian Ortega (16-3, 1 NC) vs. Diego Lopes (25-6)When Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes were scheduled to fight at UFC 303 in June, you may - or may not - recall that I reluctantly leaned toward Ortega to win.On a main card full of competitive matchups, this once again might be the most difficult pick to make. However, this time, I find myself leaning the other way.Ortega looked fine on the scale Friday morning, proving that the mishap that led to the fight being moved to lightweight - and then canceled altogether - three months ago was a one-and-done thing. That said, Lopes is on a tear, and I'm no longer sure that Ortega is the man to stop him.Both men excel in the grappling department, which means we could get a striking battle instead. And if that's the case, I favor Lopes ever so slightly on the feet to outpoint Ortega, earn the biggest victory of his career, and put himself in featherweight title contention.The pick: Lopes, unanimous decision<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745025/cropped_GettyImages-2171741765.jpg?ts=1726265861" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745025/w220xh124_GettyImages-2171741765.jpg?ts=1726265861 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745025/w320xh180_GettyImages-2171741765.jpg?ts=1726265861 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745025/w640xh360_GettyImages-2171741765.jpg?ts=1726265861 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745025/w768xh432_GettyImages-2171741765.jpg?ts=1726265861 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/745025/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2171741765.jpg?ts=1726265861 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Chris Unger / UFC / Getty</figcaption></figure>Other main-card predictions: Daniel Zellhuber def. Esteban Ribovics by decision; Ronaldo Rodriguez def. Ode Osbourne by submission

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UFC 306 predictions: Will Dvalishvili end the O'Malley era?

Warning: Story contains coarse language  After spending the last 19 months waiting to fight Conor...

Warning: Story contains coarse languageAfter spending the last 19 months waiting to fight Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler is moving on - at least for now.Chandler has agreed to a rematch with former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, UFC CEO Dana White said Friday, according to <a href="https://x.com/RobbieBarstool/status/1834761074849333474">Barstool Sports' Robbie Fox</a>. The fight will serve as the five-round co-main event at UFC 309 on Nov. 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>A highly anticipated bout between Chandler and McGregor was scheduled to headline UFC 303 in June, but McGregor withdrew just two weeks before the event after suffering a broken toe in training. The matchup had been in the works since February 2023 when McGregor and Chandler were announced as the coaches for "The Ultimate Fighter 31."Earlier this week, White said McGregor's return was being targeted for "early 2025." But the UFC CEO said Friday that Chandler was "done waiting" for the Irishman and wanted to fight someone else.White isn't ruling out the possibility of McGregor and Chandler fighting in 2025, per Fox.McGregor called out Chandler in a post on X after the latter agreed to face Oliveira. McGregor hasn't competed in MMA since breaking his leg in a trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Chandler saw that takedown getting stuffed and mauled and officially dipped. Little Fat Pussy. I’m at the hard rock hotel Florida for the bare knuckle tonight. Got tested earlier today by DFSI. Give me my fucking date!— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheNotoriousMMA/status/1834760382306488463?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>For now, Chandler resets his focus to Oliveira. The two fought for the vacant lightweight championship in the UFC 262 main event in May 2021, just months after Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from MMA and relinquished the title. Oliveira knocked out Chandler in the second round to become the new champion.Chandler said Friday he "took a quick, little detour" to "chase" a fight with McGregor, but now he plans to make a lightweight title run starting with the Oliveira rematch."I beat Charles Oliveira, I become the No. 1 contender," Chandler <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7sTYTfrNI8">said</a> in a video on his YouTube channel. "I beat Charles Oliveira, I can choose to go fight (lightweight champion) Islam (Makhachev) or Arman (Tsarukyan). I believe it's gonna be Islam."Or if Conor can finally get his house in order and put together a training camp and show up to a fight, maybe I go fight Conor and we finish "'The Ultimate Fighter 31.'"Oliveira defended the belt once against Poirier in December 2021 and then finished Justin Gaethje in a May 2022 non-title bout after missing weight and being stripped of the championship. Oliveira fought Makhachev for the vacant title in October 2022 but suffered a second-round submission loss."Do Bronx" is 1-1 since the Makhachev fight, earning a knockout win over Beneil Dariush and most recently suffering a split-decision loss to No. 1-ranked contender Tsarukyan at UFC 300 in April. Makhachev is expected to defend the 155-pound title against Tsarukyan next, though a date hasn't been finalized.Chandler spent the better part of the last two years waiting for McGregor and, as a result, hasn't stepped into the Octagon since a submission loss to Poirier in November 2022. The 38-year-old is 2-3 since leaving Bellator for the UFC in 2020.UFC 309 is expected to be headlined by a heavyweight title fight between champion Jon Jones and former champ Stipe Miocic.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MAY 14: (L-R) Charles Oliveira of Brazil and Michael Chandler face off during the UFC 262 ceremonial weigh-in at George R. Brown Convention Center on May 14, 2021 in Houston, Texas.

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Chandler moves on from McGregor, will face Oliveira at UFC 309

Just before Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko throw down for a third time at UFC 306 at Spher...

Just before Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko throw down for a third time at UFC 306 at Sphere in Las Vegas, another trilogy fight could be brewing.Lightweight contender Dustin Poirier, who has promised MMA fans one more fight before retirement, posted Friday on X that he wouldn't mind running things back with Justin Gaethje."You know I'm down," Poirier <a href="https://x.com/DustinPoirier/status/1834614502798549323">wrote</a> of a potential third meeting against Gaethje.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Poirier's message was in response to Gaethje expressing interest in the fight. Earlier this week, Gaethje listed Poirier, Charles Oliveira, Dan Hooker, and Alexander Volkanovski as four opponents he's open to facing next.Gaethje knocked out Poirier with a brutal head kick in the UFC 291 main event in July 2023 to capture the BMF title. Poirier previously defeated Gaethje via fourth-round TKO in a 2018 "Fight of the Year" candidate. Both men are former interim 155-pound champions and have been ranked in the top five for years. They're also considered two of the most exciting fighters in the sport.Though Gaethje is interested in settling the score with Poirier, "The Highlight" said he wouldn't be upset if it never happened."I walked out there after (the rematch), it was 1-1, I told him, 'Let's not do it again,'" Gaethje told reporters. "I'm not saying I don't want to, but that was the conversation we had that night. We're 1-1, and we're talking years off each other's lives."Poirier contemplated retirement after a submission loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in June. However, "The Diamond" recently said he plans to have one more fight before ending his illustrious career.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - JULY 29: (L-R) Dustin Poirier in a lightweight fight for the BMF belt during the UFC 291 event at Delta Center on July 29, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Poirier 'down' for trilogy bout with Gaethje

Canelo Álvarez and Edgar Berlanga made weight Friday ahead of their unified super middleweight ch...

Canelo Álvarez and Edgar Berlanga made weight Friday ahead of their unified super middleweight championship bout Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.Álvarez and Berlanga weighed in at 166.8 and 167.7 pounds, respectively, according to <a href="https://x.com/MikeCoppinger/status/1834625609613389910">ESPN's Mike Coppinger</a>.Álvarez, the Mexican-born WBA, WBC, and WBO 168-pound champion, is seeking another victory during Mexican Independence Day weekend. He's riding a four-fight winning streak and last defended his titles in May with a unanimous decision over Jaime Munguia.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Álvarez was the undisputed super middleweight champ until the IBF stripped him in July.Berlanga is putting his undefeated 22-0 record on the line in his first world title fight. He earned the right to face Álvarez with a sixth-round stoppage of Padraig McCrory in February.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MAY 04: Canelo Alvarez fights Jaime Munguia during their undisputed super middleweight championship fight at T-Mobile Arena on May 04, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Alvarez retained his titles in a unanimous decision.

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Canelo, Berlanga make weight for unified title fight

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili made weight Friday before they squa...

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili made weight Friday before they square off in the UFC 306 main event Saturday in Las Vegas.O'Malley, set to defend his title for the second time, weighed in at 135 pounds. Dvalishvili came in at 134 pounds.Women's flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and former champ Valentina Shevchenko were also on the mark for their trilogy bout in the co-main event. Grasso tipped the scale at 124 pounds, and Shevchenko hit 125 pounds.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Manon Fiorot weighed in as a backup fighter for Grasso-Shevchenko, making weight at 124.5 pounds.Here are the full UFC 306 weigh-in results:<h3>Main card (ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m. ET)</h3><ul>
<li>Sean O'Malley (135) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (134)</li>
<li>Alexa Grasso (124) vs. Valentina Shevchenko (125)</li>
<li>Brian Ortega (146) vs. Diego Lopes (146)</li>
<li>Daniel Zellhuber (155) vs. Esteban Ribovics (155)</li>
<li>Ronaldo Rodriguez (125) vs. Ode Osbourne (125)</li>
</ul><h3>Preliminary card (ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET)</h3><ul>
<li>Irene Aldana (136) vs. Norma Dumont (136)</li>
<li>Manuel Torres (156) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (156)</li>
<li>Yazmin Jauregui (115) vs. Ketlen Souza (115)</li>
<li>Edgar Chairez (125.5) vs. Joshua Van (125.5)</li>
</ul><h3>Early preliminary card (ESPN+ at 7:30 p.m. ET)</h3><ul><li>Raul Rosas Jr. (136) vs. Aoriqileng (136)</li></ul>

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: Sean O'Malley poses on the scale during the UFC 306 at Riyadh Season Noche UFC Official Weigh-in at UFC APEX on September 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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UFC 306 weigh-in results: O'Malley, Dvalishvili cleared for title fight

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