UFC 306 Report: Did Sphere lead to the greatest live sporting event 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 determination. Then in the principle occasion, Merab Dvalishvili avenged his pal Aljamain Sterling, placing on a classic efficiency and outworking Sean O’Malley to assert the bantamweight title.

However the actual star of the present on Saturday evening 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 Combating mind belief to debate all the pieces that occurred.

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

Heck: As we put a bow on the festivities, the takeaways are extra spectacle than in-cage motion. Not attempting 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 principle card open, the manufacturing values the UFC labored so onerous on. The occasion was a little bit of a slog as a complete, particularly down the stretch, however I’d like to see them strive once more.

Martin: Sure and no. On a optimistic be aware, it was nice to see the UFC strive one thing completely totally different and new. Outdoors of the fights themselves and the crowds from sure cities or nations bringing a variety of vitality, each main UFC pay-per-view just about at all times appears to be like the identical. So seeing all of the pomp and circumstance used to construct up this card was fairly cool. That mentioned, Sphere is in the end a visible expertise that works greatest should you’re within the area. Consider it like watching videos of your favorite band on YouTube — it’s nonetheless cool however it simply doesn’t examine to really being there in particular person. Add to that, the cardboard wasn’t extremely stacked and 5 most important card fights all going to determination with the present not ending till practically 2 a.m. ET wasn’t ideally suited.

Lee: No, as a result of how may 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 should you had one of the best seat in the home. What you bought have been largely cool and well-intentioned brief movies devoted to celebrating Mexican heritage, some sick-looking backdrops for the principle card fights, large audio that might shake you right down to your butt, and chair tech that might actually shake your butt with each strike (or so I’m advised).

For these of us watching remotely, there was no option to absolutely admire it, regardless of the published workforce doing their easiest 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 stunned with the manufacturing.

For years we’ve requested the UFC to interrupt away from its monochromatic means 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 ladies, the drone pictures and backgrounds, all have been new and fascinating and whereas all the pieces wasn’t to my style, I commend them for attempting 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 one of the best a part of the night?

Heck: Whereas I put over the manufacturing, one of the best factor on the cardboard was Esteban Ribovics vs. Daniel Zellhuber. Holy hell, Batman! These two guys understood the rattling task, and delivered this technology’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 symbolize. This dominated, and if there’s one battle to exit of your option to watch should you missed UFC 306, it’s this one. Lightweight is one of the best.

Lee: Years from now, once I’m wanting again at this pay-per-view, one way or the other 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, however it’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 along with the entire Sphere factor. Ribovics vs. Zellhuber may be very probably the Struggle of the 12 months at this level, so I don’t begrudge anybody for selecting that, however once 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. Ten fights felt like ten hours, and it went tremendous late, however I nonetheless one way or the other by no means felt that slowed down, largely as a result of the novelty of Sphere and all the encircling elements stored me engaged and , attempting to take all of it in. Once more, not all of it labored, however it was all fascinating 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 received handed to this man and I’d argue that he was pressured to work that a lot more durable to get in that place due to his wrestling heavy fashion and refusal to even entertain a possible battle towards Aljamain Sterling when he was champion — a declaration that Dana White overtly criticized. Dvalishvili in the end 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 probably 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 evening. They received titles and received two paychecks and that’s 100% an important factor. I’ve great respect for what they achieved at UFC 306, and I’m even joyful 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 nearly 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 received drained out of the cardboard. After which Merab did the identical in the principle occasion and so this grand spectacle simply kind of ended, as a substitute of getting a grand finale. Paradoxically, the 2 most vital issues that occurred have been additionally the worst elements of the present.

But in addition, particular shoutout to the irony of a present celebrating Mexican Independence being sponsored by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Satire is actually useless.

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

Look, I’m conscious that Kendrick instantly 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 is likely to 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 — largely from UFC 309 placing Natalia Silva vs. Viviane Araujo on there (it’s Karine Silva), and likewise simply casually throwing Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes on that card when it’s occurring at UFC 310. Not all the pieces will be excellent on a regular basis, however I really feel like this must be as near automated because it will get.

Martin: Typically talking, Herb Dean is a superb referee however he was getting means too concerned in the principle occasion on Saturday. To his credit score, he did educate nearly all people within the sport that there’s a rule about excessive coaching when he admonished Sean O’Malley’s head coach Tim Welch for speaking an excessive amount of. However then Dean simply stored shouting for motion and demanding Dvalishvili to do extra simply seconds after he landed a takedown. Wrestling isn’t for everyone however it’s a part of MMA — and it nearly appeared like Dean was determined to get the battle again on the ft as quickly as doable. He by no means truly 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 largest of shout-outs need to go to the night’s octagon ladies and whoever was concerned in designing their outfits. Merely put: Fabulous!

Right here’s a couple of of the attractive costumes that the women strutted their stuff in Saturday evening.

Being a hoop card woman in at the moment’s fashionable 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 individuals. 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 evening was whoever did the costume design. I’ve by no means understood the aim of octagon ladies for the reason that introduction of big screens that inform us issues, and so largely 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 one of the best, and boo to the “Way forward for Mexico” ones which have been by far the worst.

Heck: Since she’ll probably 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 also helped deliver a big ol’ goose egg to Shaheen Al-Shatti for his fantasy workforce, since he chosen Jauregui. Nicely carried out, Ketlen!

Martin: Craig Borsari — the UFC’s chief content material officer and head of manufacturing — by no means heard his title talked about as a lot as he did within the days and weeks main as much as UFC 306. He’s truly been with UFC for practically 20 years and any time Dana White has a loopy thought — like you realize, placing on a sporting occasion at Sphere — it’s Borsari who has to make these fantasies change 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 protected 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 to date forward of all people else that it’s fairly laughable. However when the UFC goes exterior of their business-as-usual bubble, it offers us slightly little bit of hope. Ice cream is scrumptious by itself, however throw some sizzling fudge, whipped cream, some chocolate sprinkles and a cherry on prime, 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 complete 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 rivalry, he’ll relaxation up, get better after which begin calling for a battle towards one other top-ranked bantamweight — a showdown towards Cory Sandhagen makes a variety 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 received thumped by Khabib Nurmagomedov, he wasn’t seen once more for 15 months — O’Malley ought to keep away from that sort of situation in any respect prices.

Lee: Is Valentina Shevchenko poised for one more 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 completely doable she provides a couple of extra title belt rubies to her assortment.

Girls’s 125 is stuffed with intriguing challengers, together with presumed next-one-up Manon Fiorot, red-hot 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 probably be favored towards.

Attending to the highest is tough, staying there for a very long time is rattling close to not possible, 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 strive cooler issues transferring ahead?

On the post-fight press convention, Dana White mentioned he’s at all times prepared to attempt to bounce 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 pattern, and setting one your self.

At this level, the UFC is just 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 strive new issues and have enjoyable, and as a substitute they’re largely content material to take care of the established order. Will this occasion being extremely fashionable get White and firm to perhaps strive extra themed occasions transferring 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 additionally your justifiable share 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 prime 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 principle 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 mentioned, there’s a loaded UFC 307 lineup simply across the nook, and the subsequent three months present loads of promise (Topuria vs. Holloway! Jon Jones is again?!?), so don’t be stunned 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 seemed prefer it is likely to be that on paper after which the factor went out and delivered on it. It was a as soon as in a technology occasion that will not be topped in my lifetime, AND it even had some cool further promotional touches: 100 out of 10.

UFC 299 was elite MMA. An especially 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 one of the best card of the yr.

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

Heck: Robust query, as a result of it’s nearly not possible to disregard the spectacle aspect of issues as a result of we’ll do not forget that for years to come back. So I’m going to attempt to take that out of the equation and fake this card occurred at T-Cellular Area. 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 principle occasion between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier delivered among the best fights of the yr, and gave us so much to speak about. UFC 301 had little or no to hold your hat on by way of star energy, however in a vacuum, it was a enjoyable card to look at, plus it ended with a really aggressive and entertaining most important occasion. UFC 306 is blended in with these, and whereas it could not have been the worst of the yr, however it was far-off from being one of the best. Add the spectacle half again in, it turns into a bottom-of-the-tier-list occasion, properly beneath the UFC 300, UFC 299, UFC 298 playing cards.

Martin: In the case of the fights, UFC 306 delivered some unimaginable motion early after which lopsided leads to the principle and co-main occasions — with each delivering lower than spectacular motion throughout 10 complete rounds within the octagon. Prefer it or not, that’s nearly at all times 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 area and the oldsters watching at house have been all hoping for related 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 area versus the viewers (together with me) at house. So general, UFC 306 was very center of the highway however nowhere near the highest present of the yr, which stays UFC 300 and that’s going to be awfully onerous to prime.