The UFC is set to make its debut at the Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday night for UFC 306 at Riyadh Season Noche, in celebration of Mexican Independence Day.
In the main event, bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley (18-1) will make his second title defense against No. 1 contender Merab Dvalishvili (17-4). O’Malley captured the title by stopping Aljamain Sterling in the second round in August 2023 and successfully defended it with a victory over Marlon “Chito” Vera in March, avenging his only career loss.
O’Malley will face a tough challenge in Dvalishvili, who comes into Saturday night with three straight victories over former UFC champions, extending his winning streak to 10 fights. Dvalishvili, nicknamed “The Machine,” has shown his dominance through wins over notable opponents like Jose Aldo, Petr Yan, and Henry Cejudo, with his grappling skills posing a threat to O’Malley.
Betting lines have shifted significantly leading up to the fight. Dvalishvili initially opened as a slight -115 favorite at BetMGM, but O’Malley has since moved to a -140 favorite, supported by 73 percent of total bets and 81 percent of the money. Dvalishvili is now a +115 underdog.
The most popular prop bet has been O’Malley winning by knockout, technical knockout, or disqualification at +125. Other popular wagers include O’Malley winning by submission at +1600, and a submission victory for Dvalishvili at +1800.
The preliminary card begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with the main card scheduled for 10 p.m.
Other Main Card Fights
Alexa Grasso (16-3-1) vs. Valentina Shevchenko (23-4-1)
The co-main event is a trilogy bout between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko, who are both ranked as top pound-for-pound women’s fighters. Grasso became the first Mexican female UFC champion with a submission win in their first meeting, and their rematch last year ended in a draw. Grasso is unbeaten in her last six fights, while Shevchenko, a former champion, enters her 11th straight UFC title fight.
Grasso is the -140 favorite, with 68 percent of the money backing her, while Shevchenko has attracted 58 percent of the total bets at +115.
Brian Ortega (16-3) vs. Diego Lopes (25-6)
Brian Ortega, the No. 3-ranked featherweight contender, returns after a victory over Yair Rodriguez, following a long layoff due to a shoulder injury. He faces Diego Lopes, the 2023 UFC Newcomer of the Year, who is on a four-fight win streak. This fight was originally set for UFC 303 but was rescheduled after Ortega fell ill. Lopes took on Dan Ige instead, winning by unanimous decision.
Lopes is the favorite at -200, but Ortega has drawn 69 percent of the total bets as a +165 underdog, with the money wagered nearly evenly split.
Daniel Zellhuber (15-1) vs. Esteban Ribovics (13-1)
Both lightweights, Daniel Zellhuber and Esteban Ribovics, are on impressive win streaks. Zellhuber has won three straight after losing his UFC debut, while Ribovics is coming off a 37-second knockout win over Terrance McKinney in May. Zellhuber holds steady as a -225 favorite, backed by 56 percent of the money, while Ribovics has drawn 60 percent of the total bets at +185.
Ronaldo Rodriguez (16-2) vs. Ode’ Osbourne (12-7)
The flyweight bout between Ronaldo Rodriguez and Ode’ Osbourne kicks off the main card. Rodriguez is on a six-fight win streak and is making his second UFC appearance. Osbourne, a Las Vegas resident, is looking to break a two-fight losing streak. Rodriguez is the favorite at -165, supported by 55 percent of the money and 66 percent of the total bets against Osbourne (+140).
Source: Field Level Media
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