Douglas Vegas Bets

Bubba "Bad Man" Jenkins is preparing for his much-anticipated return to the octagon against fellow Featherweight contender Gabriel Alves Braga at PFL 6 on June 28th from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Jenkins took the time to talk with me about this season and what's ahead for him.

Jenkins is known for being an entertaining character with the skills to back it up. He entered MMA as a national champion wrestler at Arizona State and has been working with renowned coach Dewey Cooper to help his constantly improving striking attack. 


>"I pride myself on being a complete mixed martial artist. I get points for a knockout or a submission." - Bubba Jenkins

His last fight ended in a decision loss against Kai Kamaka, and Jenkins is eager to move on. The fight was a closely contested decision that saw both fighters have success although the judges gave the win to Kamaka.


>"What I learned is if you have an opportunity to really step on the gas and finish a guy, it's important to leave it out of the judge's hands." - Bubba Jenkins

Looking ahead to his next fight, Jenkins has no animosity towards Gabriel Braga and spoke highly of him, making it clear this fight is about getting the finish and the points that come with that.


>"Love everything that Braga has done and who he represents. This is strictly business, I gotta get these points." - Bubba Jenkins

The result of his previous fight has left Jenkins in a position where he needs a finish to make the playoffs this season. Several fighters are ahead of him in the current standings, and Jenkins made it clear that getting that finish to earn a playoff spot is all that matters to him.


>"I kinda like being in that position. I believe I'm the type of fighter to get it done." - Bubba Jenkins

Jenkins has had an impressive career in MMA and is still working on adding to his list of accolades. He is also very well prepared for when his time in the cage ends, having spent time working on other careers, such as commentating, working in the cannabis industry, and having a passion for food.


>"I'm not gonna fight forever. I gotta prepare myself for that." - Bubba Jenkins

Jenkins will next be in action against Gabriel Alves Braga at PFL 6 on June 28th; make sure to tune in!


Bubba Jenkins Talks PFL Season and Future Outside of MMA

The UFC returns to Paris, France, this weekend with a card full of French fighters ready to represent their country, including headliner Lightweight star Benoit Saint-Denis, who prepares to take on the streaking Brazilian Renato Moicano. I went over each fight on the main card to give my predictions and best bets, so let's get into it.

**Odds provided by DuelBits accurate as of 9/26/2024**

## Renato Moicano +220 vs. Benoit Saint-Denis -278

Lightweight contenders clash in our main event. Renato Moicano is a very slick grappler coming off an impressive comeback against Jalin Turner. In that fight, he survived getting dropped in round one to win in the second by getting the fight to the ground and dominating from top mount. Benoit Saint-Denis is a well-rounded and all-action fighter who had finished five straight opponents before losing to Dustin Poirier in a back-and-forth battle earlier this year. In that fight, he showed his strong wrestling early, although his striking defense looked bad as he continued to charge in with reckless abandonment.

I'm taking Saint-Denis to get a knockout here. He is strong enough to force a striking match, and his power and pressure will be too much for Moicano to handle.

Prediction: Saint-Denis by 1st Round TKO

## Nassourdine Imavov -222 vs. Brendan Allen +175

Fast-rising Middleweights, each coming off main event wins, clash in this intriguing matchup. Nassourdine Imavov is a highly skilled striker with good power and timing, but he can be held in clinch positions for longer than he should with some of the grappling skills he has showcased. Brendan Allen has grown to be a solid fighter with his always dangerous grappling and decent striking, although his durability remains a big concern for me as he doesn't react well to big punches.

I've got Imavov in this one. I feel his striking is much better than Allen's, and he will be able to time his big counter shots and eventually find a finish.

Prediction: Imavov by 2nd Round KO (Best Bet)

## William Gomis +235 vs. Joanderson Brito -303

Featherweights looking to break into the rankings go head to head here. William Gomis is a tall kickboxer with solid strikes at range, although his volume is relatively low, and Francis Marshall got him into some very bad spots on the ground. Joanderson Brito is a tank who will come forward and go for the finish from the first second with dangerous power in his hands and a nasty submission game as well.

I'll pick Brito here as although Gomis can have some success striking, I see Brito having a big advantage on the ground and using it to secure a submission win.

Prediction: Brito by 1st Round Submission

## Kevin Jousset +144 vs. Bryan Battle -179

It's a fun matchup here at Welterweight featuring an Ultimate Fighter winner from a few seasons ago. Kevin Jousset is a solid kickboxer who isn't afraid to grapple when he has the advantage, as he did in his UFC debut win over Kiefer Crosbie. Bryan Battle has looked great in his last few fights, showing dangerous power in his striking and using his length well since moving down in weight, although I still have concerns about his wrestling since his loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov, where he was dominated on the ground.

I'm going with Jousset as the underdog here. He can keep it close on the feet and is more likely to succeed in grappling.

Prediction: Jousset by Decision

## Morgan Charriere -714 vs. Gabriel Miranda +460

It's a clash of styles in this Featherweight matchup. Morgan Charriere is a slick kickboxer with a very fun style and a wealth of high-level experience from his time in Cage Warriors, having faced names like Jordan Vucenic and Paul Hughes. Gabriel Miranda is a solid submission grappler coming off his first UFC win, where he scored a quick choke against veteran Shane Young.

This price is high, but I will pick Charriere as I see him avoiding the grappling and slowly breaking down a tough Miranda with his massive striking advantage for a late knockout win.

Prediction: Charriere by 3rd Round TKO

## Fares Ziam -132 vs. Matt Frevola +107

Lightweights kick off the main card in this must-see clash. Fares Ziam enters this matchup on a three-fight win streak, having shown solid improvements to his striking and grappling game since his early days in the UFC. Matt Frevola is a very offensive-minded fighter with solid boxing and strong wrestling, although his defense is sometimes suspect, which is a concern.

I lean towards Ziam here as he is the younger of the two, showing more improvements to his game. I see him having success striking at a distance, avoiding much of Frevola's wrestling threat.

Prediction: Ziam by Decision

UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint-Denis Odds Breakdown

Joey Kolnicki

The UFC visits the Accor Arena in Paris with an outstanding Fight Night card. The entire card is filled with exciting fights, established names, and rising stars. While there are multiple ranked matchups and hot prospects on the main card, the prelims also have some fantastic fights. Of these preliminary bouts, the best matchup may be Bolaji Oki vs. Chris Duncan. 

**This fight takes place in the Lightweight (155 lbs.) division.**

Bolaji Oki has a professional record of 9-1-0 and is on a nine-fight win streak. He has a UFC victory over Timmy Cuamba.

Chris Duncan has a professional record of 11-2-0 and has won four of his last five bouts. He has UFC victories over Yanal Ashmouz and Omar Morales. 

![oki2 (1).jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/877a5901-3e92-42d6-7d16-77980aa7bb00/public "Bolaji Oki fires a right hand at Dylan Salvador. Credit: MMA Junkie.")

Oki is a powerful, technical striker who’s constantly coming forward. He has excellent distance management and can do damage at range and inside the pocket while remaining elusive. He fights behind his jab and tends to counterstrike, looking to draw reactions out of his opponents so he can land strikes. Training with Da Vinci Fighting, his pace increases as the fight continues, and he’ll regularly look to blitz forward and unload heavy hooks and straights. Oki has heavy kicks and power in both hands, remains technical throughout, and won’t load up or telegraph his attacks. He has found four of his six finishes in the first round but carries his power throughout the fight and is always dangerous.

![cduncan3.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/0d9e6a82-bdab-402c-f585-cf06d67e9000/public "Chris Duncan flattens Charlie Campbell with a right hand. Credit: MMA Junkie.")

Duncan is a well-rounded fighter with a solid wrestling game and dangerous power in his hands. He’s constantly pressuring forward, remaining patient, and looking for openings before unloading overhands and hooks. He has one-shot knockout power and can produce a knockout at any moment. Training at American Top Team, Duncan is averaging nearly four takedowns landed per fifteen minutes and has heavy top and clinch control. He’s always working to improve position or land damage when he’s on top. He has great cardio and will push a consistent pace across all fifteen minutes.

![cduncan2.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/68431c41-bf69-40d0-6867-5fbda5865f00/public "Chris Duncan lands a stinging right hand on Yanal Ashmouz. Credit: MMA Junkie.")

This is a fight you definitely won’t want to miss.


Verdict's Sleeper Fight of the Week: Oki vs. Duncan

Merab Dvalishvili used his pace and wrestling to control Sean O'Malley over five rounds to claim the Bantamweight belt with a decision win in the UFC 306 main event.

## Result: Merab Dvalishvili def. Sean O'Malley via Unanimous-Decision (49-46, 48-47x 2)

It was a wrestling clinic from new champion Merab Dvalishvili, who kept a high pace and repeatedly took down Sean O'Malley over the course of five rounds to claim the title. There was a late scare as Merab appeared to be very hurt to the body after a kick, but he survived to reach the scorecards, where he was victorious.

What did you think of the fight? Let us know in the comments.

Merab Dvalishvili Claims Title in UFC 306 Main Event

Valentina Shevchenko looked dominant in the third fight with Alexa Grasso as she reclaimed her belt with a decision win in the UFC 306 co-main event.

## Result: Valentina Shevchenko def. Alexa Grasso via Unanimous-Decision (50-45x 3)

There was no controversy around the decision this time around, as Valentina Shevchenko used her sharp striking and strong wrestling to reclaim her title. Alexa Grasso did have several submission attempts that seemed very close, but Shevchenko survived all of them.

What did you think of Shevchenko's performance? Let us know in the comments.

Valentina Shevchenko Recliams Title at UFC 306

Diego Lopes showed off his striking skills in a dominant win over Brian Ortega on the UFC 306 main card.

## Result: Diego Lopes def. Brian Ortega via Unanimous-Decision (30-26, 30-27x 2)

From the very beginning of the fight, it was clear Lopes was the superior striker with much heavier hands, dropping Ortega badly in round one and continuing to outstrike him throughout the fight. He was pushing the pace from start to finish, nearly getting the finish in the final minute with big shots and a back take.

What did you think of Lopes' performance? Let us know in the comments.

Diego Lopes Dominates to Decision Win at UFC 306

Esteban Ribovics and Daniel Zellhuber went to war for three straight rounds in an instant classic that ended in a split-decision victory for Ribovics on the UFC 306 main card.

## Result: Esteban Ribovics def. Daniel Zellhuber via Split-Decision (29-28,28-29,29-28)

The first two rounds saw rapid-fire back and forth from both guys, leaving the fight very much up in the air and entering the final round. The start of the final round saw Zellhuber drop Ribovics with an elbow before Ribovics fired back with a huge right hand that had Zellhuber on the ropes for a while, eating a barrage of punches but surviving to see the final bell and let the judges make their decision.

How did you score the fight? Let us know in the comments.

Esteban Ribovics Rallies Late to Win Split Decision Over Daniel Zellhuber at UFC 306

After a tough first round, Ronaldo Rodriguez rallied late in the fight to steal a decision over Ode Osbourne to start the main card at UFC 306.

## Result: Ronaldo Rodriguez def. Ode Osbourne via Unanimous Decision (29-27x 2, 29-28)

In the first minute of the fight, Osbourne dropped Rodriguez badly and locked up a triangle choke from the bottom. Several minutes later, Rodriguez escaped and ended the round by eating elbows in guard. The second saw a recovered Rodriguez dominate Osbourne on the ground, landing big shots and nearly getting his own finish. The final round was close, with Osbourne landing more, but Rodriguez seemingly having more effect and ending the round in the top position. 

What did you think of the fight? Let us know in the comments.

Rondaldo Rodriguez Comes Back to Win Decision at UFC 306

This weekend, the UFC makes history by heading to the Las Vegas Sphere for Riyadh Season Noche UFC, headlined by Bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley defending his title against top contender Merab Dvalishvili. I went over that fight and every other fight on this historic card to give my predictions and best bets, so let's get into it.

**Odds provided by Duelbits accurate as of 9/11/2024**

## Sean O'Malley -133 vs. Merab Dvalishvili +109

The main event features a highly anticipated clash between rivals for the Bantamweight title. Sean O'Malley has become one of the biggest names in the sport and looks to make his second title defense here after a very impressive performance against Marlon 'Chito' Vera earlier this year at UFC 299. In that fight, he showed off his incredibly diverse striking attack with flashy kicks, fast hands, devastating knees, and impressive cardio by maintaining a high output over five rounds. Merab Dvalishvili finally challenges for UFC gold here after having some fantastic showings against former champions Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo, where he showed his ability to mix pace and wrestling is unmatched across the entire organization. There are some concerns about his durability, with Marlon Moraes and Cejudo catching him early, and in Moraes's case, he was nearly finished having to run away to create space.

If this fight gets out of the early stages, I see the pressure of Dvalishvili being too much for O'Malley to handle. With the success Petr Yan had wrestling against O'Malley, I expect Dvalishvili to be able to get this fight to the ground early and often to dominate his way to a decision win.

Prediction: Dvalishvili by Decision

## Alexa Grasso -139 vs. Valentina Shevchenko +113

The trilogy will be completed here at Flyweight as the two coaches from the most recent season of The Ultimate Fighter look to settle the score once and for all. Alexa Grasso burst onto the scene with her shocking submission win over Shevchenko in the first meeting. She established she was here to stay in the rematch, where she dropped Shevchenko and showed an impressive skillset despite the fight ending in a draw. Valentina Shevchenko was the most dominant champion in the UFC for some time, with it seeming as though nobody was on her level over her nine-fight win streak. She was known for her kickboxing skills early in her run but has shown a lot of development on the ground, having used her skills there to finish challengers like Jessica Andrade and Katlyn Chookagian.

I lean towards Grasso here as she is the much younger fighter who could still be improving, while Shevchenko is likely nearing the end of her run at the top.

Prediction: Grasso by Split Decision

## Brian Ortega +147 vs. Diego Lopes -182

Hopefully, we will finally see these two Featherweights face off in the octagon after a fight day cancellation the last time they were booked. Brian Ortega is a super durable grappling specialist who often has to survive early onslaughts to come from behind and get the win, as he did his last time out against Yair Rodriguez, who dropped him in round one before Ortega took over to get a submission win. Diego Lopes has become a fan favorite with his wild style, which has led him to four straight victories, including three first-round finishes. His last fight with Dan Ige raised some concerns about his cardio, as he looked exhausted in the final round despite being the one with more notice for the fight.

I'll take Ortega here as he is the more defensively responsible fighter with much better cardio and experience against high-level competition. I see him dragging this fight into deep waters and taking over.

Prediction: Ortega by 3rd Round Submission

## Daniel Zellhuber -233 vs. Esteban Ribovics +185

This matchup at Lightweight has Fight of the Night written all over it as two dangerous finishers go head to head. Daniel Zellhuber is a tall and long striker who has clearly improved since a lackluster debut against Trey Ogden, showing his power and output in his last outing, a win over Francisco Prado. Esteban Ribovics is a wild, fast-paced striker with big power, which he showed against Terrance McKinney in his last fight, and a sneaky submission game, particularly a nice kimura. 

I'll go with Ribovics as the underdog here, as I see him being the much higher-output fighter with more knockout power in a fight where one shot can change everything.

Prediction: Ribovics by 2nd Round KO

## Ronaldo Rodriguez -137 vs. Ode Osbourne +111

Flyweights open the main card with this fun matchup. Ronaldo Rodriguez impressed many with his debut win over Denys Bondar, in which he showed his finishing ability by grabbing the choke in round two. Ode Osbourne looks to get back on track here after back-to-back submission losses. He is a skilled and experienced fighter with solid hands and a decent wrestling game, which he used to beat Charles Johnson, although his fight IQ is questionable at times.

I will go with Osbourne here as I'm not sold on Rodriguez being ready for UFC competition yet, and when he cannot finish opponents, he can struggle.

Prediction: Osbourne by Decision

## Irene Aldana -111 vs. Norma Dumont -110

Bantamweights looking to push their way into the title picture go head to head here in the featured prelim. Irene Aldana is a powerful and durable striker coming off a war with Karol Rosa, where she gritted out a tough decision win. Her grappling has given her issues in the past, such as her loss against Holly Holm and her comeback win over Macy Chiasson. Norma Dumont will look to extend her four-fight win streak here in her second appearance since she has moved down in weight. She is fairly well rounded with decent boxing that hurt Chelsea Chandler and solid wrestling as well.

I'll pick Dumont here, but I am not confident. She has the grappling advantage to get it done, although if she is forced to strike for extended periods of time, she could be in trouble.

Prediction: Dumont by Decision

## Manuel Torres -123 vs. Ignacio Bahamondes +101

Up and coming Lightweights square off in this phenomenal matchup. Manuel Torres quickly caught the attention of many fans by finishing six straight opponents in the first round, including his first three UFC appearances with two knockouts and a submission, proving he is dangerous wherever the fight goes. Ignacio Bahamondes is a very tall kickboxer who has grown in the UFC, showing dangerous power in his kicks against Roosevelt Roberts and Christos Giagos. However, his wrestling has been a weak point, as we saw against Ludovit Klein. 

Another tough fight to call here, but I'll go with Torres as he has the grappling upside and is also the more dangerous striker despite the reach disadvantage.

Prediction: Torres by 1st Round Submission

## Yazmin Jauregui -476 vs. Ketlen Souza +350

A very bright prospect will return to action here at Strawweight. Yazmin Jauregui is a very entertaining fighter with a high-paced striking style that has helped her win three of her first four fights in the UFC, including a very impressive debut against Iasmin Lucindo. However, Denise Gomes quickly finished her with a barrage of punches, which raised some concerns. Ketlen Souza comes into this off her first UFC win, although it was against a low-level opponent that she failed to finish. She has shown durability issues throughout her young career, having been finished in all four of her losses. 

I see Jauregui getting a finish in this one. Her striking and power advantage will break Souza as the fight goes on.

Prediction: Jauregui by 2nd Round KO

## Edgar Chairez +180 vs. Joshua Van -227

This is a short-notice clash here at Flyweight. Edgar Chairez is a very tough striker who showed some grappling skills in his last fight against Daniel Lacerda, and he also survived three rounds with the now highly-ranked Tatsuro Taira. Joshua Van steps in here on short notice with not much of a layoff since his knockout loss to Charles Johnson. He was winning that fight going into round 3 and has a very promising skillet with good boxing and a decent ground game despite some past submission defense concerns.

I lean towards Van here, with him having a cardio advantage that I see him using to take this fight down the stretch.

Prediction: Van by Decision

## Raul Rosas Jr. -833 vs. Aoriqileng +540

Bantamweights kick things off with one of the biggest prospects in the sport taking on his next challenge. Raul Rosas Jr. is the youngest fighter in the UFC, but that has not stopped him from winning three of his first four opponents in the organization by stoppage. His submission game is where he really shines, although his striking is dangerous, as well as he showed with his quick knockout win over Terrance Mitchell. Aoriqileng is a solid striker who showed his toughness in his last fight against Daniel Marcos, which ended in bizarre fashion after multiple low blows on both sides. His grappling is questionable, with many of his losses coming from credentialed wrestlers like Cody Durden.

I believe the grappling advantage from Rosas Jr. will be too much for Aoriqileng to overcome. Rosas will get the fight to the ground and score a quick submission win here.

Prediction: Rosas Jr. by 1st Round Submission

UFC 306 Odds Breakdown

ROUNDHOUSE MMA

Almost one year ago, UFC president Dana White attended a U2 concert with former NFL quarterback Tom Brady at the brand-new Sphere in Las Vegas. Dana fell in love with the event's production, and one year later, the UFC will be the first to hold a live sporting event at the Sphere on one of the biggest cards of the year. The event itself is a celebration of combat sports in Mexico, and Dana White refers to the event as "a love letter to the Mexican people." Noche UFC, as the event is subtitled, will contain a vast amount of inclusive features that are specific to the event. This is a one-time event, an event that has a lot of hype around it. Fans are excited to see how the UFC spent $20 million dollars to produce this event, and you will not want to miss this one. 

Ahead of Saturday, what do we know? The UFC has largely kept this event a secret, but Dana White and the production team have revealed glimpses of what to expect ahead of Saturday. Here's a breakdown of everything fans know regarding the production and execution of this event. 

[dana-white-ufc-sphere.jpg.webp](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/74be2a57-76f6-404e-67fb-98074cc4d700/public "Dana White and the UFC production team preview test runs of the Sphere prior to UFC 306. Credit to: Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports")

## Obviously... the FIRST Live Sporting Event Ever at the Sphere

This is monumental. The UFC kept fans engaged during the COVID-19 pandemic by introducing "Fight Island," and having fights at the UFC Apex, and now they will be the first to hold a live sporting event at this futuristic venue. Previously, the Sphere strictly held concerts, but this will be the first time we see a combat sports show, let alone sports, at the Sphere. 

## The First Ever 1080p Broadcast in ESPN History

ESPN has never recorded a live broadcast in 1080p, until now. The UFC has always done a spectacular job in producing the event, but UFC 306 will take that production to the next level, and fans will be able to watch the event with crystal clear quality. Dana White says that the goal of this event is to make fans at home feel like they're actually at the Sphere watching the fights. 

## Haptic Seat Feedback

Never been done before, the seats at the Sphere will incorporate "live feedback," which will give fans a whole new experience with watching fights live. The seats will vibrate and respond directly to strikes landed, takedowns, and fight-finishing sequences allowing fans to feel like they are inside the cage. You won't find this in any other arena. 

![Noche_Fight_Kits_20240808_JB_0111_resized.JPG](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/d4d3b49c-ae63-4488-75d7-adc7adc6a700/public "Noche UFC exclusive fighter kits. Credit to: UFC Store/UFC Instagram")

## Special Fight Kits

Venum has produced authentic fight kits specific to this event. The collection itself "symbolizes national pride and cultural heritage." Fighters are given three colors to choose from: red, green, and black, in which the colorways pay tribute to the Mexican flag. Walkout hoodies and shirts will feature primordial Aztec gods at the chest, with various symbols representing Mexican history and culture. Similar symbols will also appear on the fight shorts as well. 

## UFC Event "Rebrand" to Riyadh Season Noche UFC

The original UFC events, such as UFC 12: Judgement Day, for example, had names tied to the event. We have never seen anything like this until this weekend, but the UFC has granted a sponsor the title partner status. UFC 306 will be rebranded to Riyadh Season Noche UFC. 

## Octagon Girls

All eight octagon girls for this weekend's card have Mexican ties. Six are Mexican-born, and two will be second-generation Mexicans. 

## A Different Level of Production

The production level for this event will be out of this world. Fans in attendance can listen to live audio for the whole event in Spanish if they choose to. The UFC has also hired award-winning directors and producers to help this event follow through. These people have worked on high-caliber events like Taylor Swift concerts, the Super Bowl, and the Oscars, and have won multiple Emmys, Oscars, Golden Globes, and Grammys. Dana White has stated that he would like this event to be nominated for, and potentially win a similar award. Multiple production trucks have been added to help execute this event, and will just add to the level of preparation and execution for this event.

As for the event itself, Dana White has talked a lot about how the fights will play out inside the Sphere. Dana wanted to highlight the Sphere, but not take anything away from the fights while they are going on. Before each fight at Noche UFC, the audience will be taken through a historical journey on the combat sports history of Mexico. The Sphere will display segments of six 90-second clips, known as "films," and will start in the past, and end in the future. These films will only take place prior to each fight, and when there is action inside the cage, the films will transition into different "worlds" that will take up the gigantic LED screens around them. 

## A Record-Breaking Gate and PPV Numbers

Noche UFC has already broken the record for the largest gate in UFC history, surpassing more than $23 million dollars in revenue. This card surpassed other large events in the UFC's history like UFC 229, UFC 205, and UFC 300. This event is also trending to break records pay-per-view-wise, and this has the potential to become one of the biggest PPV events of all time, surpassing UFC 229 headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. 

![Downloader-La-789776.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/56e48edb-5079-43a5-f14f-7d335947fa00/public "Dana White discusses with Laura Sanko following Dana White's Contender Series. Credit to: Chris Unger of Getty Images/Zuffa LLC.")

## Finally... Easter Eggs? And a Prize?

Dana White revealed Tuesday night following Dana White's Contender Series that various Easter eggs will be hidden throughout the six 90-second movies that will play in between fights. Dana did not reveal anything regarding the specifics of these "Easter Eggs," but has told the media and fans that a $25,000 prize will be given to a viewer that is able to decipher these hidden eggs. Fans will surely be more engaged and tuned into the event than ever before. 

With the event in just a few days, Noche UFC has become a once-in-a-lifetime event. Whether you are at the Sphere itself or watching at home, the overall goal and theme of this event is to celebrate the achievements of Mexican fighters like Cain Velasquez, Brandon Moreno, and Alexa Grasso, and for the UFC the show its appreciation for the Mexican people. This show represents the future of how a live sporting event can be played out. 



Everything We Know About the UFC's First Event at the Sphere

The stage is set for a historic and monumental card at the Sphere in Las Vegas this weekend that will showcase what Dana White refers to as "a love letter to the Mexican people." Mexican combat history goes back a long time, and several key figures have made their mark in the UFC, and have put this country on the map. This card is centralized around Mexican fighters, culture, and history. As the Sphere lights up and mesmerizes fans for the first and only time, it's the perfect moment to reflect on the top five Mexican fighters making waves in the octagon today. These athletes are not only competing at the highest level but are also paving the way for the future of Mexcian combat sports. 

## Brian Ortega

Brian Ortega kicks off this list as one of the most beloved Mexican fighters in the sport. The jiu-jitsu practitioner started his career 14-0 (1 NC) and earned his way to a title shot after defeating the likes of Frankie Edgar, Cub Swanson, Renato Moicano, and Clay Guida. Ortega ultimately fell short when it came time to fight for the belt, but showed immense toughness, heart, and Mexican spirit in both of those fights against Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski, despite losing those fights. Ortega has never won a UFC title but is a staple of Mexican fighting spirit, and you can never count him out in a fight. 

## Irene Aldana

Irene Aldana made serious waves in the women's bantamweight division and is a thirteen-fight UFC veteran. The former title challenger has fought multiple former champions and owns some wins over the best bantamweights in the world. Aldana has always stuck around in the top half of the division and is always right there in line for the title. Aldana has some of the best boxing in the division and displays a crazy heart and determination inside the cage. She'll never give up on herself, and some of the wars that she's been in show.

## Yair Rodriguez

Yair Rodriguez was a dynamic prospect coming out of Mexico and quickly made a name for himself in the UFC. Winning his first six fights in the promotion, Yair got fans' attention due to his flashy and aggressive striking. Rodriguez has the best kicking game in MMA and is one of the best strikers in the sport. The former interim champion owns wins over some of the best fighters in the division's history in BJ Penn, Dan Hooker, Chan Sung Jung, Brian Ortega, and Josh Emmett. Yair is also known for his knockout over The Korean Zombie with a crazy upward elbow in the final seconds of the fight. 

## Alexa Grasso

Grasso made history in 2023 by becoming the first Mexican woman to win a UFC title when she upset one of the greatest female fighters of all time, Valentina Shevchenko to win the Flyweight title. Grasso is very well rounded, but best known for her boxing, and has shown a lot of growth in her UFC career. Nobody gave her a chance against Valentina, and she went out and proved everyone wrong in the first fight, became the first to knock Shevchenko down, and retained her title in a draw in the second fight. Grasso will serve as the co-main event on the monumental card this weekend and will try to settle the score with her rival. 

## Brandon Moreno

The first Mexican-born fighter to win a UFC title, Brandon Moreno is the face of Mexican MMA. From being the last pick on The Ultimate Fighter to winning the season and becoming a champion has made him a fan favorite and a trailblazer for Mexican fighters coming up. His epic rivalry with Deiveson Figueiredo which spanned four fights, including putting on one of the greatest fights in the division's history, was also a big moment in his career. Moreno is still fighting elite competition and although he has since lost the Flyweight title, he is always within reach of the belt. 

When you look at the faces of Mexican fighters, these are it. The amount of contribution each fighter has made towards the growth of the sport, fighting for their country, and inspiring future generations is phenomenal. This weekend, at UFC 306, several of these fighters will be on display in part of an event that honors the rich history of Mexico and combat sports. 
