UFC306 “Noche” will be known as one the most visually appealing sports events ever.
The event also broke the UFC gate receipt record.
With innovative technology telling the history of combat in Mexico, it was evident that no expense was spared to bring the Sphere to life in the MMA world.
However, it’s fair to say, from the main card at least, the fights did not equal the excitement from the visuals. However, though two titles changed hands in the co and main events. There were no finishes on the main card, and from the ten fights, eight went the distance.
TOP PERFORMER: IGNACIO BAHAMONDES
With the only TKO finish on the card, it is only right the ferocious Chilien gets the top performance of the night.
What made it even better was that he did it against a Meciacan known for knocking fighters out and came into the fight with hype and the crowd fully behind him.
With two knockout artists, the fight promised fireworks and did not disappoint. Bahamondes showed quality, composure and a killer instinct to drop Torres twice with a beautiful right cross and stopped the fight after the second with follow-up punches on the ground.
TOP PERFORMER 2: KETLEN SOUZA
With the only other finish on the card, it was only right to acknowledge the Brazilian strawweight, especially as she performed against a hometown Mexican fighter with the crowd totally against her.
However, that did not matter as she performed admirably. Giving away a height and reach advantage, you were expecting her to be out-matched by her Mexican opponent, Jauregui.
But after some early exchanges where the Mexican looked good, Souza dropped her opponent with a lovely left hook. She then jumped on the back immediately, adjusted her body and put the Mexican to sleep with the choke.
TOP PERFORMER 3: MERAB DVALISHVILI
The fight did not live up to the intense build-up and rivalry, but regardless, it was still a great performance by Marab, who claimed the Bantamweight title.
Merab made it look easy, but this was the fault of O’Malley, who had no answer to Marab’s wrestling, movement and aggressiveness.
Marab dominated the fight, and although O’Malley had some moments, at no time, apart from late in the fifth round, did you think Marab was concerned, who, in the end, easily dethroned O’Malley to become the new Bantamweight champion.
Honourable mentions
Diego Lopes announced himself in the featherweight title hunt with a comprehensive beating of two-time featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega. Lopes dropped Ortega in the first round and trobled him throughout. The only thing missing from the performance was a stoppage.
Valentina Shevchenko at the third time of asking, beat Alexa Grasso and reclaimed her UFC flyweight title. You can put this performance down to “she did what she needed to do”. It wasn’t great viewing but Grasso had no defence to her wrestling and takedowns as she won every round.
Esteban Ribovics was the victor in an absolute war that lit up the Sphere. Coming in as the underdog, he showed his warrior spirit in a back-and-forth affair where neither wanted to take a back step. Ribovics put everyone on notice with his boxing and powers of recovery.
Daniel Zellhuber gets a mention as it takes two to tango and his fight of the night performance against Ribovics could have gone either way. Although the Mexican fighter was the favourite and had the fans behind him, was naturally upset at not getting the victory.
