UFC 306 Main Event Best Bets
We’ve heard about the UFC’s foray into The Sphere for months now, but it is finally upon us this weekend. Commemorating Mexican Independence Day, the UFC has put together a stellar card to showcase the best that Mexico has to offer. Outside of the top three fights, the name value falls off a cliff. However, once this card is complete, it’s highly likely the fights will deliver on an entertainment level that surprises many. The night peaks with a bantamweight title fight between a clash of two different styles. Read more UFC 306 main event best bets.
Champion, Sean O’Malley, looks to successfully defend his title for the second time while continuing to hush the naysayers.
Merab Dvalishvili was forced to win 10-straight fights to get this opportunity and he hopes to spoil the “Suga Show”.
Will the technical striking mastery of O’Malley reign supreme? Or will “The Machine” do what he does best and wear out the champion? Read on to see how these bantamweights match up and who will leave The Sphere with the gold wrapped around their waist.
Hey, while you’re at it, click here to check out our Godzilla Wins Daily Staff Picks! 
Sean O’Malley
An injury in 2018 derailed Sean O’Malley’s hype for two years but he returned in 2020 and quickly reminded folks of his potential. Back-to-back finishes in the span of three months led to his August 2020 showdown with Chito Vera. Unfortunately, he injured himself during the fight and was derailed once again.
He returned the following March and won four straight fights to earn himself a shot at gold last year. Knocking out the champion, Aljamain Sterling, in round two, O’Malley achieved his life-long goal of becoming UFC champion. First on his list of duties as champion was to avenge his August 2020 loss to Vera, which he did in emphatic fashion. Battering Vera for 25 minutes, O’Malley showed there was a clear levels difference between him and Vera, forever shutting down the what ifs of that rivalry.
Coming into the UFC, O’Malley looked like a scrawny nerd, but as he has progressed through his career, he’s added some ink to his frame, as well as some size and swagger.
He’s almost unrecognizable from when he stepped foot in the UFC back in 2017. What makes him so special is his striking. Setting up traps and springing them on his opponents in devastating fashion has allowed him to add a plethora of knockouts to his highlight reel.
Many have knocked his defensive grappling, but he is clearly showing improvements in that aspect of his game, which allows him to dictate the range and pace of fights with his striking. It’s not just the power of his strikes, it’s his timing, speed, and accuracy that accentuates the shots landing on his opponents.
Merab Dvalishvili
Going 0-2 to start his UFC career did not instill much confidence in people that Dvalishvili had what it took to be championship material. However, stringing together 10-straight wins in the way he did has significantly increased his respect amongst the UFC fan base.
Some may find it boring at times but seeing him utilize his cardio so effectively and break fighters down is a thing of beauty. Nobody has done what Dvalishvili did to Aldo, Yan, or Cejudo. Especially the fight with Yan. Knowing Yan was a better striker, yet Dvalishvili pushed a pace that kept Yan bewildered, allowing Dvalishvili to out-strike him was insane.
I already touched on it, but what makes Dvalishvili so dominant is his endless cardio, relentless pressure, and always pushing the pace. He stays in front of his opponents and doesn’t let them breathe. Durability has been a big question mark people have wanted answers to but so far it has worked out well for Dvalishvili.
One of the most unbelievable stats I’ve ever seen is that Dvalishvili has more takedown attempts than he has minutes in the cage. He has attempted 215 takedowns and landed 79. It’s not about holding his opponents down, but rather to wear them out and break them by keeping such a high pace and keeping them on their toes, wondering whether Dvalishvili will be shooting or throwing strikes.
The Pick
Nothing makes me more excited to watch a fight go down between two guys with the types of styles these guys implement. Will O’Malley be able to land the big shot and put Dvalishvili away? Or will Dvalishvili wear O’Malley out and win the fight on the scorecards? I tend to lean with the latter as it is a more applicable style of winning over 25 minutes.
O’Malley needs to find the perfect shot to put Dvalishvili away, but I think Dvalishvili will stay as close to him as he can to keep O’Malley from finding the space required to generate the power for a knockout. With little dog money here, we don’t often see Dvalishvili in that territory, so it is worth backing at this price. And new, Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili +115
