UFC 306 Report: Did Sphere result in the best stay sporting occasion of all-time?

UFC 306 is within the books and there are two new champions atop the UFC. Within the co-main occasion, Valentina Shevchenko reclaimed the flyweight title and ended her rivalry with Alexa Grasso, successful a dominant resolution. Then in the primary occasion, Merab Dvalishvili avenged his buddy Aljamain Sterling, placing on a classic efficiency and out-working Sean O’Malley to say the bantamweight title.

However the actual star of the present on Saturday night time was Sphere in Las Vegas, because the UFC pulled out all of the stops to supply a once-in-a-lifetime expertise for viewers within the promotion’s “love letter to Mexico.” So with an occasion with a lot to speak about, let’s collect the MMA Preventing mind belief to debate the whole lot that occurred.

1. What’s your evaluate of UFC 306? Did the Sphere stay as much as the hype?

Heck: As we put a bow on the festivities, the takeaways are extra spectacle than in-cage motion. Not making an attempt to take something away from new champs Merab Dvalishvili and Valentina Shevchenko, as a result of they did the rattling factor and received their fights, however neither are ones we’ll voluntarily return and watch once more. What we’ll re-watch — and present our family and friends members who aren’t UFC followers — is the exSphereience of all of it. The flicks, the graphics, the primary card open, the manufacturing values the UFC labored so exhausting on. The occasion was a little bit of a slog as an entire, particularly down the stretch, however I’d like to see them attempt once more.

Martin: Sure and no. On a optimistic word, it was nice to see the UFC attempt one thing completely totally different and new. Exterior of the fights themselves and the crowds from sure cities or international locations bringing loads of vitality, each main UFC pay-per-view just about all the time seems the identical. So seeing all of the pomp and circumstance used to construct up this card was fairly cool. That stated, Sphere is finally a visible expertise that works greatest when you’re within the enviornment. Consider it like watching movies of your favourite band on YouTube — it’s nonetheless cool but it surely simply doesn’t evaluate to truly being there in individual. Add to that, the cardboard wasn’t extremely stacked and 5 principal card fights all going to resolution with the present not ending till practically 2 a.m. ET wasn’t supreme.

Lee: No, as a result of how might it?

Uncle Dana promised everybody the best sporting occasion within the historical past of sports activities, and I can’t think about anybody sincerely believing that it got here near that mark even when you had the very best seat in the home. What you bought have been principally cool and well-intentioned quick movies devoted to celebrating Mexican heritage, some sick-looking backdrops for the primary card fights, large audio that may shake you right down to your butt, and chair tech that may actually shake your butt with each strike (or so I’m instructed).

For these of us watching remotely, there was no method to absolutely respect it, regardless of the printed workforce doing their best to indicate the Sphere off. Our first glimpse of the famed wall was the UFC utilizing it to simulate scaffolding for the preliminary portion of the present. That’s not nice.

I belief everybody concerned did their greatest to make UFC 306’s manufacturing one for the ages, however there’s solely a lot you are able to do for the tens of millions of us tuning in at house from the consolation of our decidedly non-butt-shaking chairs.

Meshew: UFC 306 was stable if underwhelming, however I used to be pleasantly shocked with the manufacturing.

For years we’ve requested the UFC to interrupt away from its monochromatic manner of doing issues, from bland uniforms to the identical outdated manufacturing 42 instances a yr. And whereas Sphere perhaps didn’t attain the lofty targets Dana White set for it, there was some undeniably cool stuff happening, even for the at-home viewers. The vignettes between fights, the octagon women, the drone pictures and backgrounds, all have been new and attention-grabbing and whereas the whole lot wasn’t to my style, I commend them for making an attempt not simply one thing new, however to attempt to talk a broader story. It was enjoyable, and I hope they do extra of this sooner or later.

2. What was the very best a part of the night?

Heck: Whereas I put over the manufacturing, the very best factor on the cardboard was Esteban Ribovics vs. Daniel Zellhuber. Holy hell, Batman! These two guys understood the rattling project, and delivered this era’s Cub Swanson vs. Doo Ho Choi. Unimaginable will, ability, coronary heart, and granite chins have been proven by each, as Ribovics and Zellhuber displayed the general spirit of what this card was designed to characterize. This dominated, and if there’s one battle to exit of your method to watch when you missed UFC 306, it’s this one. Light-weight is the very best.

Lee: Years from now, after I’m trying again at this pay-per-view, in some way regardless of all of the Sphere’s bells and whistles, and a pair of title battle outcomes that would have long-lasting repercussions for the UFC, what I’ll bear in mind most is 2 unranked lightweights giving one another the enterprise for 3 rounds, with 5 minutes specifically standing out.

Saturday’s undercard was lambasted by some followers for missing star energy, but it surely’s fights like these that create stars. Greater than any film that was performed on the display, Ribovics and Zellhuber gave us pure cinema (or CineMMA, if you’ll).

Meshew: I hate to double dip, however I’m going to go together with the entire Sphere factor. Ribovics vs. Zellhuber could be very presumably the Battle of the Yr at this level, so I don’t begrudge anybody for selecting that, however after I look again at UFC 306, the very first thing that can come to thoughts is Sphere and the UFC taking such a giant swing. As a result of below regular circumstances, that card might need been dreadful. 10 fights felt like 10 hours, and it went tremendous late, however I nonetheless in some way by no means felt that slowed down, principally as a result of the novelty of Sphere and all the encompassing components saved me engaged and , making an attempt to take all of it in. Once more, not all of it labored, but it surely was all attention-grabbing and actually was the star of the present.

Martin: It wasn’t essentially the most thrilling battle in historical past however watching Merab Dvalishvili lastly ascend to the highest of the bantamweight division was fairly particular. Nothing acquired handed to this man and I’d argue that he was compelled to work that a lot tougher to get in that place due to his wrestling heavy fashion and refusal to even entertain a possible battle in opposition to Aljamain Sterling when he was champion — a declaration that Dana White overtly criticized. Dvalishvili finally needed to win 10 consecutive fights together with wins over three former champions — Jose Aldo, Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo — to lastly get his title shot with the possible understanding that he would by no means get one other one if he misplaced. So Dvalishvili made essentially the most of his second and now he can have fun as the brand new UFC champion.

3. What was your least favourite a part of the night?

Meshew: Sadly, it was the ultimate two fights of the night.

Merab Dvalishvili and Valentina Shevchenko picked up dominant, significant, skilled wins on Saturday night time. They received titles and acquired two paychecks and that’s one hundred pc an important factor. I’ve super respect for what they achieved at UFC 306, and I’m even blissful they each received as I’m followers of each. However these fights have been robust hangs.

Up till the co-main occasion, the fights had virtually all been electrical and the vibes have been sky excessive. Then Shevchenko hossed Grasso round for 25 minutes and broke her will and the vitality simply acquired drained out of the cardboard. After which Merab did the identical in the primary occasion and so this grand spectacle simply form of ended, as an alternative of getting a grand finale. Paradoxically, the 2 most essential issues that occurred have been additionally the worst components of the present.

But additionally, particular shoutout to the irony of a present celebrating Mexican Independence being sponsored by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Satire is really lifeless.

Lee: Some unlucky soul on the UFC broadcast workforce mistaking Bud Crawford for Kendrick Lamar was ROUGH.

Look, I’m conscious that Kendrick immediately referenced Bud on Euphoria earlier this yr and, certain, nice bar, however there’s no excuse for no matter occurred right here. We have to do higher as a society.

Heck: AK could be proper right here. The graphics division had a tricky go of issues. Not solely with what he talked about in regards to the Kendrick Lamar flub up, however there have been so many inaccuracies with battle playing cards — principally from UFC 309 placing Natalia Silva vs. Viviane Araujo on there (it’s Karine Silva), and in addition simply casually throwing Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes on that card when it’s taking place at UFC 310. Not the whole lot could be good on a regular basis, however I really feel like this must be as near automated because it will get.

Martin: Usually talking, Herb Dean is a good referee however he was getting manner too concerned in the primary occasion on Saturday. To his credit score, he did educate nearly everyone within the sport that there’s a rule about extreme teaching when he admonished Sean O’Malley’s head coach Tim Welch for speaking an excessive amount of. However then Dean simply saved shouting for motion and demanding Dvalishvili to do extra simply seconds after he landed a takedown. Wrestling isn’t for everyone but it surely’s a part of MMA — and it virtually appeared like Dean was determined to get the battle again on the ft as quickly as attainable. He by no means really stood them up however his fixed shouting with directions was a distraction and simply felt completely pointless.

4. Who was the unsung hero of the night?

Lee: The most important of shout-outs should go to the night’s octagon women and whoever was concerned in designing their outfits. Merely put: Fabulous!

Right here’s a number of of the beautiful costumes that the women strutted their stuff in Saturday night time.

Being a hoop card lady in in the present day’s trendy fight sports activities panorama is often a thankless job, however everybody ought to respect the unimaginable work that went into these outfits meant to have fun the wealthy historical past of the Mexican folks. This wasn’t simply eye sweet for the sake of it, the ladies and their outfits genuinely enhanced the viewing expertise.

So to Ariadna, Ayled, Daniela, Dany, Hannah, Karla, Mariel, Valeria, and the good costumers, we salute you.

Meshew: AK is right, the winner of Saturday night time was whoever did the costume design. I’ve by no means understood the aim of octagon women for the reason that creation of large screens that inform us issues, and so principally I view them as relics of a bygone period. However on Saturday they stole the present.

Particular shoutout to the Dia de Muertos costumes, which have been the very best, and boo to the “Way forward for Mexico” ones which have been by far the worst.

Heck: Since she’ll possible be forgotten within the fallout, Ketlen Souza did the freaking factor on Saturday, didn’t she? Not solely did she ship an unimaginable end of huge favourite Yazmin Jauregui, however selfishly, she additionally helped ship a giant ol’ goose egg to Shaheen Al-Shatti for his fantasy workforce, since he chosen Jauregui. Nicely finished, Ketlen!

Martin: Craig Borsari — the UFC’s chief content material officer and head of manufacturing — by no means heard his identify talked about as a lot as he did within the days and weeks main as much as UFC 306. He’s really been with UFC for practically 20 years and any time Dana White has a loopy thought — like , placing on a sporting occasion at Sphere — it’s Borsari who has to make these fantasies develop into a actuality. Borsari is clearly good at his job, however he had his work minimize out for him at UFC 306 and it’s secure to say he pulled it off.

5. What’s your largest query popping out of the occasion?

Heck: Will the UFC proceed to take large swings, and perhaps extra importantly, proceed to attempt to have extra enjoyable with these occasions? Between this, and UFC 300, there was extra effort put in than we’ve seen in a very long time. Look, the UFC has lapped the competitors in all probability 487 instances by now. They’re thus far forward of everyone else that it’s fairly laughable. However when the UFC goes outdoors of their business-as-usual bubble, it provides us somewhat little bit of hope. Ice cream is scrumptious by itself, however throw some scorching fudge, whipped cream, some chocolate sprinkles and a cherry on high, it’s simply higher. The extra proverbial sundaes, the higher.

Martin: The place does Sean O’Malley go from right here?

There’s little doubt he’ll stay one of many largest stars on the whole UFC roster however a reasonably lopsided loss places him at a crossroads so far as what comes subsequent. If O’Malley actually desires to get again to title competition, he’ll relaxation up, recuperate after which begin calling for a battle in opposition to one other top-ranked bantamweight — a showdown in opposition to Cory Sandhagen makes loads of sense. But when O’Malley cares extra about fame and fortune, he would possibly demand a right away rematch or simply sit out for an prolonged time frame to attend for a marquee matchup that additionally comes with a hefty payday. Keep in mind after Conor McGregor acquired thumped by Khabib Nurmagomedov, he wasn’t seen once more for 15 months — O’Malley ought to keep away from that form of situation in any respect prices.

Lee: Is Valentina Shevchenko poised for an additional prolonged title run?

Heading into UFC 306, I picked Alexa Grasso to be victorious within the trilogy bout, and my intentions have been considerably egocentric as I wished to see Shevchenko return to 135 kilos and take a look at the waters there. Now that Shevchenko proved as soon as once more that she’s the true queen of the flyweights, it’s solely attainable she provides a number of extra title belt rubies to her assortment.

Ladies’s 125 is stuffed with intriguing challengers, together with presumed next-one-up Manon Fiorot, crimson scorching Brazilian striker Natalia Silva, a resurgent Maycee Barber, plus Erin Blanchfield and former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas, who battle one another this November. The 2-time champ has choices, all of whom she’d possible be favored in opposition to.

Attending to the highest is difficult, staying there for a very long time is rattling close to inconceivable, and doing all of it once more? Legendary.

Meshew: I’m with Mike on this one: will the success of this occasion encourage the UFC to attempt cooler issues shifting ahead?

On the post-fight press convention, Dana White stated he’s all the time keen to attempt to leap on cool concepts however that’s probably not true. Often if there’s something huge and new, he has the enterprise sense to attempt to affiliate with that, however there’s a distinction between being an early adopter of a brand new development, and setting one your self.

At this level, the UFC is simply too large to fail. They personal MMA and there’s no possible way they’ll lose that. That ought to afford them the liberty to attempt new issues and have enjoyable, and as an alternative they’re largely content material to keep up the established order. Will this occasion being extremely in style get White and firm to perhaps attempt extra themed occasions shifting ahead or simply take smaller swings on totally different manufacturing prospers. We’ll see, however I actually hope so.

6. The place does UFC 306 rank among the many 2024 pay-per-views?

Lee: There have been some absolute bangers in 2024 (UFC 299, UFC 300, UFC 305), but in addition your fair proportion of forgettable playing cards, and I see UFC 306 as slotting in simply above the latter pile.

So far as I’m involved, the Sphere gimmickry alone served to separate Saturday’s occasion from the pack, even when the motion on the high of the cardboard didn’t ship. Truthful or not, UFC pay-per-views are sometimes judged by how the end, and never how they begin, and few will ever re-watch the lopsided title fights we ended up with. However the first two fights of the primary card have been nice, there was loads of enjoyable available on the preliminaries, and on the very least we escaped the cardboard with none main controversies. That’s a win in my books.

That stated, there’s a loaded UFC 307 lineup simply across the nook, and the following three months present loads of promise (Topuria vs. Holloway! Jon Jones is again?!?), so don’t be shocked if UFC 306 is pushed nearer to the decrease half of the rankings come Christmas.

Meshew: It’s the third-best card of the yr.

UFC 300 is the best MMA card of all-time. It regarded prefer it could be that on paper after which the factor went out and delivered on it. It was a as soon as in a era occasion that is probably not topped in my lifetime, AND it even had some cool further promotional touches. 100 out of 10.

UFC 299 was elite MMA. A particularly good card on paper that lived as much as the hype, however didn’t have the identical otherworldly oomph of UFC 300. However in most years, 299 is the very best card of the yr.

UFC 306 is behind these two, however forward of the whole lot else. Certain, the 2 high fights have been underwhelming, however they have been high-level MMA with excessive stakes and storylines hooked up, so that they weren’t unhealthy (simply the worst a part of an in any other case glorious night time) and the remainder of the cardboard was nice. So if you add within the spectacle of Sphere and the whole lot together with it, that is an occasion that we are going to speak about and bear in mind for a very long time to return.

Heck: Robust query, as a result of it’s virtually inconceivable to disregard the spectacle aspect of issues as a result of we’ll do not forget that for years to return. So I’m going to attempt to take that out of the equation and faux this card occurred at T-Cell Enviornment. UFC 306 was a bottom-half ranked pay-per-view, at greatest.

UFC 297 was the worst, no query about it. UFC 302 was a sloggy slog slog, however the primary occasion between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier delivered among the finest fights of the yr, and gave us loads to speak about. UFC 301 had little or no to hold your hat on when it comes to star energy, however in a vacuum, it was a enjoyable card to observe, plus it ended with a really aggressive and entertaining principal occasion. UFC 306 is blended in with these, and whereas it might not have been the worst of the yr, but it surely was distant from being the very best. Add the spectacle half again in, it turns into a bottom-of-the-tier-list occasion, properly under the UFC 300, UFC 299, UFC 298 playing cards.

Martin: With regards to the fights, UFC 306 delivered some unimaginable motion early after which lopsided leads to the primary and co-main occasions — with each delivering lower than spectacular motion throughout 10 complete rounds within the octagon. Prefer it or not, that’s virtually all the time the largest reminiscence we take away from any card as a result of as a lot as Esteban Ribovics and Daniel Zellhuber deserve their flowers, the gang within the enviornment and the parents watching at house have been all hoping for comparable out of O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili or Grasso vs. Shevchenko 3. The visuals in Sphere have been spectacular however that was undoubtedly a a lot cooler expertise for these within the enviornment versus the viewers (together with me) at house. So total, UFC 306 was very center of the street however nowhere near the highest present of the yr, which stays UFC 300 and that’s going to be awfully exhausting to high.