This UFC event is dedicated to Mexican Independence Day. This artwork is WILD. Definitely bold and intense. Sean's hair makes this picture even more intriguing LOL. I actually like this image though honestly.
Yes, UFC 306 goes down tonight and I'm really mostly interested in the last three fights. TWO TITLE FIGHTS and a huge men's featherweight matchup. The rest of the card is pretty unremarkable if I'm being honest. Maybe I'm just turning into a casual HA. All the more reason I am excited to watch these fights go down! Since the Phillies game ends pretty much right before this event starts, I will be in really good shape to get to know some of these up and comers.
#3 Brian Ortega vs #13 Diego Lopes - Men's Featherweight Bout
The featherweight fight I mentioned is an absolutely crazy matchup between seasoned perennial featherweight contender Brian Ortega and a VERY high level prospect in Diego Lopes.
Diego looks incredible in my opinion and Brian has done a pretty good job staying relevant in a ridiculously tough division despite approaching his mid thirties, not too old but getting there. Lopes is 29 and looking in his prime and looking hungry.
Ortega and Lopes have outstanding jiu-jitsu. Both have decent striking but they are fierce when they do strike. Very similar fighters. There's a pretty big difference between these men's rankings so, who wins and how will undeniably impact how this division moves forward. The winner could definitely fight for a title next.
I'm going to go with Diego. This kid is scary.
Champion Alexa Grasso vs #1 Valentina Shevchenko - For the Women's Flyweight Championship
These ladies are set to fight for the THIRD time in a row. They fought in March and September of 2023 and now nearly a year to the very day, they fight for the third time. Alexa defeated Valentina in March and then they fought to a draw. If Valentina were to win, they could for sure fight a fourth time. But, if Alexa can win, then this will likely be the final time they fight ending a very intriguing trilogy. Could even be Valentina's last fight if she loses.
Valentina is still one of my favorite fighters ever, no matter what happens. I think Alexa gets it done tonight though. Alexa has seen her three times and is now in her absolute prime of 31 years old, five years younger than Valentina and we've all heard the stats about younger fighters.
Champion Sean O'Malley vs #1 Merab Dvalishvili - For the Men's Bantamweight Championship
The more I think about this fight, the more excited I get and the more I actually favor Merab for some reason. But this is going to be nuts and Sean can absolutely win too.
Sean has become a star pretty quick and still has high goals. He wants to be the biggest fighter ever in both the entertainment value of the sport and through actual skill and accomplishment in the sport. He says he wants to move weight classes in the future which does intrigue me since he's a pretty big bantamweight.
I think Sean is a bit weird but aren't we all I guess. I do like his style of striking and respect his accomplishments for sure. I respect that he's been mostly living up to his high expectations since he was first discovered on the Contender Series and his hype train began. If he can win this fight and defend his title for the second time against Merab though, I think he could be the GOAT of the Bantamweight Division.
The thing is Merab is not like any fighter Sean has faced. Merab is the best of both worlds when it comes to grappling skill and relentless pressure. This man is a brick wall with cardio.
Merab's been just stacking wins. Merab seems like a fairly happy go lucky guy on the mic but this guy is a straight up dawg in the cage. I don't think people realize he's been undefeated since September 2018 basically SIX YEARS. If he wins tonight it will be six full years I guess. Merab is 10-0 in that span!
Sean's striking is definitely a problem, I think Merab can win if he stays mentally strong and unintimidated.
Both fighters will prove A LOT with a win in this fight for the belt. A striker vs grappler matchup I have not seen in a long time. Let's see if Sean's underrated grappling can hold up. Merab has beaten high level strikers himself like Petr Yan and Jose Aldo.
AHHHH I am picking Merab. I think he may be WAY stronger than Sean. I really don't know. Nothing would surprise me in this fight in terms of results.
Let's go I AM READY!!
