UFC 306: Dvalishvili Defeats O'Malley in Main Event, Shevchenko Reclaims Flyweight Title

LockerRoom Team

15 Sep 2024

The highly anticipated UFC 306 main event between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley lived up to expectations, with Dvalishvili showcasing his relentless wrestling and durability to secure a unanimous decision victory. O'Malley, known for his striking and flashy style, struggled to find his rhythm as Dvalishvili continuously closed the distance and secured multiple takedowns.

The fight started with a cautious exchange, but Dvalishvili quickly imposed his game plan, landing powerful leg kicks and pressing O'Malley against the cage. Despite O'Malley's efforts to create distance and utilize his reach, Dvalishvili's constant pressure and takedowns stifled the bantamweight champion's offense. At one point, O'Malley attempted submissions from his back, including a triangle choke and an omoplata, but Dvalishvili expertly escaped and returned to his suffocating top control.

As the fight progressed, O'Malley tried to mount a comeback, landing clean strikes to the body and head. However, Dvalishvili's ironclad endurance and powerful wrestling continued to wear O'Malley down. In the final round, Dvalishvili landed a huge overhand right followed by a takedown that sealed his victory.

The judges awarded Dvalishvili the win with scores of 49-46, 48-47, and 48-47, crowning him the new UFC bantamweight champion. This performance solidified Dvalishvili's position as one of the most relentless fighters in the division, while O'Malley, despite a valiant effort, saw his title reign come to an end.

ALSO READ | Valentina Shevchenko Reclaims Flyweight Title at UFC 306, Defeats Alexa Grasso in Trilogy Bout

In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko reclaimed the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship, defeating Alexa Grasso by unanimous decision (50-45 on all scorecards). Shevchenko controlled the fight from start to finish, ending their trilogy and reasserting her dominance in the division.

UFC 306 Full Results:

• Merab Dvalishvili def. Sean O'Malley by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
• Valentina Shevchenko def. Alexa Grasso by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
• Diego Lopes def. Brian Ortega by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
• Esteban Ribovics def. Daniel Zellhuber by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Ronaldo Rodríguez def. Ode Osbourne by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
• Norma Dumont def. Irene Aldana by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Ignacio Bahamondes def. Manuel Torres by TKO (strikes) at 4:02 of Round 1
• Ketlen Souza def. Yazmin Jauregui by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:02 of Round 1
• Joshua Van def. Edgar Chairez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Raul Rosas Jr. def. Aoriqileng by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

It was a night to remember, with both title bouts delivering drama and skill inside the Octagon.