The UFC’s highly-anticipated blockbuster event, UFC Noche, finally arrived this Saturday at The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Click here to watch UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley speak to media members. Footage via ‘MMA Junkie’ on YouTube.
UFC Noche Main Event: Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili
The monumental UFC Noche card is topped off with a blockbuster main event featuring undisputed UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley (18-1-0, 1NC) putting his title on the line against the relentless No. 1-ranked Merab Dvalishvili (17-4-0).
The superstar champion Sean O’Malley will look to make his second title defense as he takes on the relentless grappler Merab Dvalishvili at UFC Noche.
Riding wins over Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera, Aljamain Sterling, and Petr Yan. O’Malley is confident but does not overlook the task.
As for the number 1 contender, Merab Dvalishvili is riding a 10-fight win streak coming into Saturday’s monumental matchup and having beaten elite names like Henry Cejudo, Petr Yan, Jose Aldo, and Marlon Moraes.
That said, I see the much more prominent and prolonged fighter in O’Malley truly stifling Dvalishvili on the feet. Between the apparent differences in speed, accuracy, and footwork, I see the challenger struggling to pinpoint the champion at UFC Noche.
Similar to O’Malley’s title-winning performance over Dvalishvili’s friend and training partner, Aljamain Sterling, at UFC 292, Dvalishvili will be looking to press forward as he threatens a mix of takedowns and punches.
This approach will only help the champion, who is best when circling the cage while picking apart his opponents. If Dvalishvili finds himself annoyed by O’Malley’s elite movement, there is a good chance the challenger will make a costly mistake on Saturday night.
Look for the champion to sting the challenger with many strikes ranging from straight punches to body kicks and knees up the middle.
O’Malley will likely open up a recent cut on Dvalishvili’s eyebrow, leading to blood running down the challenger’s face. Once bloodied, I see Dvalishvili making foot mistakes against the elite striker.
Come the second round, I see O’Malley having established a suitable striking distance and eventually landing his home-run right hand over Dvalishvili’s guard, sending the challenger stumbling on the feet.
From there, O’Malley will smother Dvalishvili with clean follow-up punches until forcing the referee to step in and call the contest.
Prediction: O’Malley via KO/TKO R2
UFC Noche Co-main Event: Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 3
UFC Noche’s co-main event features a trilogy match as UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso (16-3-1) looks to cement her title reign against the former champion Valentina Shevchenko (23-4-1).
This co-main event women’s title matchup is one for the history books. Defending champion Alexa Grasso looks to silence the doubters in her trilogy match with long-time former champion Valentina Shevchenko.
These two initially fought each other back at UFC 285 in March 2023, where Grasso slickly secured a fourth-round submission over Shevchenko. This was a shocking moment in women’s mixed martial arts, as Shevchenko had held that belt for four years straight.
Their second encounter was a testament to the unpredictability of the sport, as these two elite fighters battled to a draw after five intense rounds. Grasso even managed to score a knockdown over the former champion Shevchenko in this rematch, adding to the excitement.
As we look forward to UFC Noche, the anticipation for the upcoming fight is palpable. I predict that this time, Shevchenko will emerge victorious against the defending Mexican champion Grasso. While I had scored the rematch in favor of Shevchenko, I believe the defending champion is ready to put together a complete performance and cement her title reign.
I consider Shevchenko the better wrestler of the two, while Grasso has the advantage in Jiujitsu. I expect Shevchenko to display a tight jab and mix in the takedown threat. Grass holds the boxing advantage while Shevchenko has better kicks and knees.
Prediction: Grasso via Decision
Other Fights on UFC Noche
Main Card
- (145 lbs.) Brian Ortega (16-3-0, 1NC) vs. Diego Lopes (25-6-0): Ortega via Decision
- (155 lbs.) Daniel Zellhuber (15-1-0) vs. Esteban Ribovics (13-1-0): Zellhuber via Decision
- (125 lbs.) Ronaldo Rodriguez (16-2-0) vs. Ode Osbourne (12-7-0, 1NC): Rodriguez via Submission R1
Prelims:
- (W 135 lbs.) Irene Aldana (15-7-0) vs Norma Dumont (11-2-0): Aldana via Decision
- (155 lbs.) Manuel Torres (15-2-0) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (15-5-0): Torres via Decision
- (W 115 lbs.) Yazmin Jauregui (11-1-0) vs. Ketlen Souza (14-4-0): Jauregui via Decision
- (125 lbs.) Edgar Chairez (11-5-0, 1NC) vs. Joshua Van (10-2-0): Van via Decision
Early Prelims:
- (135 lbs.) Raul Rosas Jr. (9-1-0) vs. Qileng Aori (25-11-0, 1NC): Rosas via Submission R1
Stay tuned for more UFC news and updated via RespectMyRegion
