Tag: UFC 306

Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes rebooked for Noche UFC at Sphere

Initially slated for UFC 303, the promotion will attempt to run things back between Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes at Sphere in Las Vegas.

[autotag]Brian Ortega[/autotag] and [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag] are aligned again.

Less than one month after their UFC 303 fight fell apart on fight day, the promotion announced a new date and location for the matchup. Barring more unforeseen circumstances, Ortega (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) and Lopes (25-6 MMA, 4-1 UFC) will collide Sept. 14 at Sphere in Las Vegas, as part of Noche UFC (UFC 306).

UFC CEO Dana White announced the booking Friday on social media.

The first attempt to make this fight happen failed when Ortega fell ill hours before the fight. Ortega had also struggled to make featherweight ahead of the bout, so it had been tweaked to lightweight instead.

In an unprecedented move, Las Vegas resident Dan Ige fought in his place vs. Lopes after a special weigh-in. Lopes defeated Ige by unanimous decision.

The victory was Lopes’ fourth in a row. He also holds UFC victories over Gavin Tucker, Pat Sabatini and Sodiq Yusuff.

Ortega looks to extend a standalone victory over Yair Rodriguez into a winning streak. Prior to the cancellation vs. Lopes, Ortega told MMA Junkie he was preparing for a shift to lightweight.

With the addition, the Noche UFC lineup includes:

  • Champ Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili – for bantamweight title
  • Champ Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko – for women’s flyweight title
  • Diego Lopes vs. Brian Ortega
  • Esteban Ribovics vs. Daniel Zellhuber
  • Ode Osbourne vs. Ronaldo Rodriguez
  • Irene Aldana vs. Norma Dumont
  • Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Manuel Torres
  • Yazmin Jauregui vs. Ketlen Souza
  • Kevin Borjas vs. Edgar Chairez
  • Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Aori Qileng

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Noche UFC.

Noche UFC at Sphere gets Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili title-fight headliner

The UFC’s event at Sphere has a main event – and it’s a big one.

One of the biggest fights the UFC can make will take place at one of the most anticipated and unique events the promotion has ever held.

Bantamweight champion [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] and top contender [autotag]Merab Dvalishvili[/autotag] will finally settle their score at Noche UFC (also known as UFC 306), Sept. 14 at Sphere in Las Vegas, UFC CEO Dana White announced Friday on social media.

O’Malley and Dvalishvili have been aligned since March. In February, Dvalishvili defeated Henry Cejudo by unanimous decision at UFC 298 before O’Malley beat Marlon Vera by unanimous decision at UFC 299 in March.

Since then, the two have been aligned for a title fight, but it was just a matter of when and where. As it turns out, they’ll headline the first combat sports event at Sphere, a project UFC CEO Dana White has hyped since the venue’s opening in 2023. The event is set to be a tribute to Mexican Independence Day.

The rivalry between O’Malley and Dvalishvili has escalated for years. Dvalishvili’s close friendship with training partner Aljamain Sterling catalyzed the dislike. When O’Malley squared off with Sterling in the cage at the conclusion of UFC 288 in May 2023, Dvalishvili infamously stole O’Malley’s jacket and wore it.

Since then, a war of words has ensued over social media with Dvalishvili even frequently filming skit videos that include an O’Malley doppelgänger.

Words aside, both men have proven themselves elite competitors with O’Malley having finished Sterling with strikes in August before the Vera win seven months later.

Dvalishvili rides an eight-fight winning streak into the matchup with wins over Cejudo, Petr Yan, and Jose Aldo among others.

With the addition, the Noche UFC lineup includes:

  • Champ Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili – for bantamweight title
  • Champ Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko – for women’s flyweight title
  • Diego Lopes vs. Brian Ortega
  • Esteban Ribovics vs. Daniel Zellhuber
  • Ode Osbourne vs. Ronaldo Rodriguez
  • Irene Aldana vs. Norma Dumont
  • Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Manuel Torres
  • Yazmin Jauregui vs. Ketlen Souza
  • Kevin Borjas vs. Edgar Chairez
  • Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Aori Qileng

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Noche UFC.

Report: Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga to go head-to-head with Noche UFC in Las Vegas

Combat sports fans might have a choice to make in September, or at the very least will face an expensive Saturday.

Combat sports fans might have a choice to make this September, or at the very least are facing an expensive Saturday in front of the boob tube.

According to a report from ESPN boxing reporter Mike Coppinger, [autotag]Canelo Alvarez[/autotag] (61-2-2), arguably the most popular boxer in the world, is wrapping up a deal for a super middleweight title defense against Edgar Berlanga (22-0).

But on this one, the fight itself might be less intriguing than the date: The fight reportedly will take place Sept. 14 in Las Vegas, presumably at T-Mobile Arena, on the same night the UFC puts on UFC 306 a couple clicks up the Strip at The Sphere.

The UFC 306 card is expected to be a celebration of Mexican Independence Day, which takes place Sept. 16. “Noche UFC” now will go head-to-head against Alvarez, from Mexico, in a fight that will pit Mexico against Puerto Rico, where Berlanga is from.

The UFC reportedly will have at least two title fights on the card at The Sphere, but UFC CEO Dana White recently said to expect just 10 fights. A typical UFC pay-per-view has 13 bouts.

The UFC is not likely to have trouble selling out The Sphere for the event. In less than a year, it has become one of the most sought-after venues in entertainment, and the UFC will be putting on the first live combat sports event there.

The leading candidates to head up UFC 306 are a bantamweight title fight with champion Sean O’Malley and challenger Merab Dvalishvili and a women’s flyweight title fight with champ Alexa Grasso and her next challenger, but the promotion has not made any formal fight announcements.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.

Raul Rosas Jr. booked for Noche UFC at Sphere vs. Aoriqileng

“Chiwiwi” might echo through the world-famous Sphere this September.

[autotag]Raul Rosas Jr.[/autotag] wears his Mexican heritage on his sleeve, quite literally, so it makes sense he’ll be part of the UFC’s Independence Day celebration.

Still just 19, Rosas (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) aims to pick up his fourth promotional win Sept. 14 at Noche UFC (UFC 306) when he battles China’s [autotag]Aori Qileng[/autotag] (25-11 MMA, 3-3 UFC) at Sphere in Las Vegas.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Rosas’ management, Iridium Sports Agency, first announced the booking.

Rosas is on a two-fight winning streak. All three of his UFC wins have been submissions. His lone career loss came against Christian Rodriguez by decision during his sophomore UFC outing. Since then, he’s beaten Terrence Mitchell and Ricky Turcios.

Qileng, 31, is 3-1 with one no contest in his most recent five outings. He most recently competed in February when he was struck in the groin by Daniel Marcos. The blow ended the fight and was deemed unintentional by the referee, thus was called a no contest.

With the addition, the Noche UFC lineup includes:

  • Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira
  • Irene Aldana vs. Norma Dumont
  • Yazmin Jauregui vs. Ketlen Souza
  • Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Manuel Torres
  • Kevin Borjas vs. Edgar Chairez
  • Ode Osbourne vs. Luis Rodriguez

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Noche UFC.

Dana White says Noche UFC at Sphere will be 10 fights, cost already at $17 million

The Noche UFC card on Sept. 14 will have fewer fights on the lineup than a standard UFC event, but the price to put it on will be immense.

The Noche UFC card on Sept. 14 will have fewer fights on the lineup than a standard UFC event, but the price to put it on will be immense.

UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] revealed on Monday during an interview on “The Pat McAfee Show” that the highly anticipated event, which is also known as UFC 306, will feature just 10 bouts on the lineup.

“We’re going to do 10 (fights),” White told McAfee. “There will be a main, co-main, and obviously this card will be very Mexican-heavy.”

White did not reveal any additional details for what fights will carry the card. Host Ariel Helwani said on Monday’s episode of “The MMA Hour” that Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title and a title defense for women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso, against Valentina Shevchenko or someone else, are being discussed.

As he has before, White promised the UFC’s venture into Sphere will be unlike any event in the promotion’s history.

“I’m already $17 million into this thing, and we’re not anywhere near September yet,” White said. “… I keep telling you guys: It’s gonna be the most unique, badass show you’ve ever seen in sports.”

There are already six fights reported as set for the event, which airs on ESPN+ pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.

The latest Noche UFC lineup includes:

  • Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira
  • Irene Aldana vs. Norma Dumont
  • Yazmin Jauregui vs. Ketlen Souza
  • Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Manuel Torres
  • Kevin Borjas vs. Edgar Chairez
  • Ode Osbourne vs. Luis Rodriguez

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Noche UFC.

Michael Chandler proposes Nate Diaz showdown at Noche UFC while Conor McGregor ‘sits on a yacht’

If Conor McGregor isn’t ready to fight, then Michael Chandler is willing to look at Nate Diaz as an alternate solution.

If [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] isn’t ready to fight, then [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] is willing to look at [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] as an alternate solution.

With McGregor’s status for a long-awaited octagon return in limbo following his UFC 303 withdrawal due to a toe injury, Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) has been the target of criticism for not moving on to an alternate matchup.

It appears Chandler is now willing to look in other directions, and has put a target on Diaz (21-13 MMA, 16-11 UFC) after the ex-UFC star indicated he wants to return to the octagon following this past Saturday’s boxing win over Jorge Masvidal (via X):

Sit down, Ron… better idea – me and @NateDiaz209 fight like real men, while Conor sits on a yacht and watches on PPV in his slippers. #ufcnoche #riyadhseason

The new “Where’s Waldo” – the Mac Daddy had a great run though….

Instill fear…let him pull out of the fight and embarrass himself, be known as the guy who retired McGregor without ever throwing a punch….

Chandler, 38, suggest a fight with Diaz at Riyadh Season Noche UFC, which goes down Sept. 14 at Sphere.

The former three-time Bellator champion was not part of the names Diaz suggested for his next move, as the Stockton slugger name-dropped Jake Paul and Leon Edwards as part of his hit list going forward.

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Aljamain Sterling says UFC 306 fight vs. Diego Lopes at Sphere ‘has a nice ring to it’

Former UFC champ Aljamain Sterling has turned his attention to Diego Lopes.

[autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] has turned his attention to [autotag]Diego Lopes[/autotag].

Sterling (24-4 MMA, 16-4 UFC) initially was angling for Movsar Evloev, but their fight has yet to materialize. Now the newly minted featherweight called out Lopes, who’s coming off a unanimous decision win over Dan Ige at UFC 303.

Former bantamweight champion Sterling dominated Calvin Kattar in his featherweight debut in April. He wants the red-hot Lopes (25-6 MMA, 4-1 UFC) at UFC 306 at the Sphere.

“I’m thinking about Aljamain Sterling vs. Diego Lopes at the Sphere,” Sterling said on his YouTube channel. “It has a nice ring to it. Movsar, I don’t know what the hell he’s doing. I gave him a date and he hasn’t accepted yet – he started making all these excuses. Either you fight on my terms or I fight somebody else. So Diego Lopes, if you oblige, let’s make it happen at the Sphere, Sept. 14.”

Lopes currently has other ideas. After defeating Ige, Lopes called for his previously scheduled matchup with Brian Ortega to be rebooked or former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

Even Evloev (18-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) has pivoted to Lopes. The undefeated contender, who handed Lopes the lone loss of his octagon career, recently traded barbs with Lopes. He said he’d be open to running things back, but Lopes dismissed him.

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Islam Makhachev says Michael Chandler not a reliable opponent: ‘One tweet from your master, and you’ll run away’

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev won’t invest his energy on Michael Chandler as a potential opponent.

UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] won’t invest his energy on [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] as a potential opponent.

Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) revealed that he was offered a title shot against Makhachev in October after his main event with Conor McGregor this past Saturday at UFC 303 fell through.

However, Chandler made it clear that is priority is to rebook the McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) fight for UFC 306 Sept. 14 at the Sphere. He did poke at Makhachev after though, claiming that his wrestling his better than Makhachev’s sambo.

“Good old fashioned passionate American @MizzouWrestling beats sambo all day. @MAKHACHEVMMA.”

“I’ve been 🎯 your ass for 8 years…good, old-fashioned, passionate @MizzouWrestling beats Dagestani sambo every day of the week @MAKHACHEVMMA.”

Chandler continued to angle for Makhachev.

I don’t get taken down in the open, I don’t get taken down on the cage…I don’t get taken down, period. #andNEW.”

Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) responded with a jab of his own, implying that Chandler plays by McGregor’s rules.

“You are unreliable dude, one tweet from your master, and you’ll run away. Champ needs real opponent.”

Makhachev notched his third title defense by submitting Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June. No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan was expected to be next in line, but his nine-month suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission for throwing a punch at a fan during his UFC 300 walkout may delay his return.

Chandler has been waiting for the McGregor fight to materialize. He hasn’t competed since a submission loss to Poirier in November 2022.

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Michael Chandler angles for Conor McGregor at Sphere again – and threatens to flip for Islam Makhachev title shot

Maybe Michael Chandler is going on the offensive in his fight with Conor McGregor – and dangling his own title shot.

Maybe [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] is going on the offensive in his fight with [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag].

That fight, heretofore, has been a seemingly never-ending stream of speculation and boy-who-cried-wolf-isms between the two. A date finally was booked for this past Saturday at UFC 303 until McGregor pulled out with a broken baby toe.

Now Chandler has implied a lightweight title shot has been offered to him in October – but that he’d be willing to pass it up if McGregor can make a September date at The Sphere in Las Vegas.

“I’ve been offered @MAKHACHEVMMA in October – but if @TheNotoriousMMA little pinky toe is ready by Sept, let’s do sphere. Biggest sporting event in history of sports!!!! @RiyadhSeason #ufc306,” Chandler posted.

Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) and McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) have been booked in a fight that has been building for 18 months. McGregor was set to return from a three-year layoff after suffering a broken leg in July 2021.

It was the first time he has pulled out of a UFC fight. McGregor has said he’d like to fight in August or September, which lines up with the UFC’s Sphere date Sept. 14.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 303.

UFC 306 at Sphere in Las Vegas rebranded as ‘Riyadh Season Noche UFC’

UFC 306 will now be known by another name as the promotion has granted title partner status for the first time.

UFC 306 will now go by another name after the promotion partnered with Riyadh Season for the event at Sphere in Las Vegas.

The event celebrating Mexican Independence Day takes place Sept. 14 and will now be the first time the UFC has allowed a sponsor to have title partner status, officially rebranding UFC 306 as “Riyadh Season Noche UFC.” The promotion announced the change in a press release Wednesday.

UFC will be the first to produce a live sporting event from Sphere, which opened last September. According to UFC CEO Dana White, the event will be the only time the promotion holds an event at the venue.

“This will be one of the biggest sporting events of all time,” White said in a statement. “What we’re going to pull off at Sphere will never be done again. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for sports fans. At the same time, this is going to be an incredible tribute to the Mexican people for their extraordinary contributions to combat sports. We’re thrilled that Turki Alalshikh and the Saudi General Entertainment Authority have stepped up to partner with us to make this the greatest event in the history of combat sports. Their participation shows just how massive the interest is from all over the world. Riyadh Season Noche UFC will be unforgettable.”

Saudi Arabia’s chairman of the general entertainment authority for entertainment, Turki Alalshikh, said in a statement: “This will be a milestone moment as it will be the first sporting event to take place at Sphere in Las Vegas. The UFC brand is recognized globally with its huge fanbase, and this aligns with our own vision for Riyadh Season to collaborate to create and stage world-class events.”

At the time of the release, no fights have been officially announced, although Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 3 has long been discussed to take place at the event.

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