UFC Noche Card is Set, Now It’s Up to Fighters and Organization to Deliver

July 30, 2024

6 months

Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili already have a lot at stake. Their fight at the Sphere in Las Vegas for UFC Noche, also known as UFC 306, will be for the UFC Bantamweight championship. But they also will be part of a lineup of fighters tasked with backing up their boss’ words.

UFC CEO Dana White has repeatedly said since the Sphere was announced that this would be a once-in-a-lifetime kind of event. White claims the UFC has already sunk $17 million into the event and may require more to get things across the finish line. But the lure of putting on a combat sports event in the venue was too much for White to turn away from.

Trying to make UFC Noche the event of 2024 will be a difficult task for all involved. While the Sphere will also have more graphics and a unique aesthetics, the fights will have to be spectacular to live up to UFC 300.

It’s a challenge that everyone will welcome. Here’s a look at some of the top fights on the card according to MMAfighting latest news.

Suga Show Ready for Dedicated Wrestler

Anyone looking to challenge O’Malley’s rise through the UFC was mostly quiet following his performance at UFC 292 last August. O’Malley had been accused of being one of the boss’ favorites and being handed matchups against mostly striking-heavy opponents. But during UFC 292, O’Malley avoided being overwhelmed by Aljamain Sterling’s grappling and won the title by knocking him out early in the second round.

O’Malley got revenge on Marlon Vera the first time he defended the belt. For his fight at the Sphere, it will be O’Malley’s opponent who hopes to avenge his friend. Dvalishvili is a wrestling machine.

The Georgian fighter utilizes heavy volume, both in high strikes and takedown attempts, that seek to gas out his opponents. O’Malley is the taller and longer fighter of the two. He will hope to use that to his advantage in order to make another title defense, according to the best MMA news sites.

Dvalishvili isn’t a power puncher and is vulnerable to absorbing power shots. O’Malley could find some openings with his style.

Grasso, Shevchenko Ready for Trilogy Fight

Flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko met at the inaugural UFC Noche last year for a rematch of their memorable first fight. But despite an entertaining, five-round affair, nothing ended up being settled. The fight was scored a draw.

The MMA latest updates show that the third fight in the trilogy was delayed when Grasso suffered an injury in training. At the Sphere, Grasso and Shevchenko are asked to co-headline. The first two fights between the two produced memorable moments.

Grasso submitted Shevchenko late in the fourth round of the first fight to steal the title. During the rematch, Grasso scored a takedown late in the fifth round, which helped ensure a draw. Shevchenko would like to win this fight to protect her legacy as one of the best UFC women’s champions.

Ortega, Lopes Will Finally Settle Their Differences

Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes were supposed to meet in a lightweight bout at UFC 306. But Ortega came down with a late illness and had to pull out hours before the fight. Lopes ended up fighting Dan Ige instead.

Despite Ige coming off the couch and weighing in on less than a day’ notice, Lopes had to go the distance to pick up the win. Beating Ortega, a former featherweight title challenger, is an important piece for Lopes’ resume.

Rosas Looks for First Three-Fight Winning Streak in UFC

On a night built around celebrating fighters with Mexican lineage, having 19-year-old Raul Rosas Jr. involved in the fight is a no-brainer. There have been several Mexican champions, including Brandon Moreno and Grasso, but there hasn’t been a prospect like Rosas. He is on a two-fight winning streak and wants to keep improving his striking.

Rosas will have another middling fighter to try and build his resume against. He will fight Aori Qileng in a bantamweight fight. Qileng is 3-3 in the UFC, with one no-contest.

Qileng will be a heavy underdog coming into this fight and will look to play spoiler.

Aldana Set to Continue Redemption Arc

Mexican fighter Irene Aldana had a nightmarish performance at UFC 289. She appeared nervous against now-retired bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes. Nunes, arguably one of the greatest champions in UFC history regardless of gender, dominated Aldana for 25 minutes. Aldana bounced back at UFC 296 last December but will want to keep the pace when she takes a step down in competition to fight Norma Dumont.

Dumont is on a four-fight winning streak. Her last performance was her most impressive. Dumont wrestled her way to a decision against former featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie. De Randamie, however, was fighting for the first time following a several-year absence.

Should Dumont find a way to win this fight, it would propel the Brazilian up the rankings.

Ignacio Would Like to Deploy Power Strikes

Ignacio Bahamondes has shown the UFC he can produce spectacular finishes to fights. Twice, Bahamondes has earned Performance of the Night bonuses following picking up knockouts over his opponents. Bahamondes most recently earned bonus money for scoring a head-kick knockout win over Christos Giagos in April.

Bahamondes will have a tough challenger, Mexican fighter Manuel Torres. Torres has won six straight fights. Since coming into the UFC through the Contender Series, Torres has finished his first four opponents on the UFC roster.

Scoring another one on a night celebrating Mexican fighters would be a career highlight for Torres.

Here are the other fights on the card not mentioned above: