UFC 306 Set for September 14 at The Sphere in Las Vegas
- UFC President Dana White has announced the Noche UFC event, which will feature title defenses from Sean O'Malley and Alexa Grasso.
- This rebranded event will take place at The Sphere and is set to be the most expensive production ever by the UFC.
- The fighters were initially scheduled to meet at UFC 303, highlighting a history of fight preparations and changes.
UFC 306 is poised to be a landmark event, featuring two title fights headlining the card at The Sphere in Las Vegas on September 14. Bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley will defend his title against top contender Merab Dvalishvili, while women's flyweight champion Alexa Grasso faces Valentina Shevchenko in a highly anticipated trilogy bout. UFC president Dana White unveiled the 10-fight card, rebranded as Noche UFC, emphasizing its status as the promotion's most ambitious and expensive production to date. O'Malley, who claimed the bantamweight title by knocking out Aljamain Sterling last August, will be making his second title defense after a unanimous decision victory over Marlon Vera in March. Dvalishvili enters the fight on a high note, having secured a dominant decision win against former two-division champion Henry Cejudo earlier this year. This matchup promises to be a thrilling contest as both fighters aim to solidify their legacies. In the co-main event, Grasso and Shevchenko will meet for the third time following their previous encounters, which included Grasso's stunning fourth-round submission victory in March 2023 and a controversial split draw last September. Their rivalry has intensified, especially after serving as head coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter," setting the stage for a dramatic showdown. The event coincides with Mexican Independence Weekend and will take place just minutes away from a boxing match featuring Canelo Alvarez and Edgar Berlanga at T-Mobile Arena, further elevating the excitement surrounding Noche UFC.