UFC 306 is about to be a historic occasion, going down at The Sphere in Las Vegas this Saturday. The cardboard options two title fights: bantamweight champion “Sugar” Sean O’Malley trying to defend his title in opposition to Merab Dvalishvili and flyweight queen Alexa Grasso trying to stay unbeaten within the trilogy in opposition to former champ Valentina Shevchenko.
The principle card is rounded out by Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes; Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics and Ronaldo Rodriguez vs. Ode Osbourne.
There are 5 preliminary card fights on UFC 306, so let’s preview every of them.
Irene Aldana vs. Norma Dumont
From a rankings standpoint, that is a very powerful battle on the UFC 306 prelims. Aldana, a former title challenger, is ranked at No. 5 at bantamweight, whereas Dumont is ranked No. 8.
With a brand new champion in Raquel Pennington trying to make her first title protection in opposition to Julianna Pena after defeating Mayra Bueno Silva following the retirement of Amanda Nunes, the ladies’s bantamweight division has not been this broad open since Holly Holm ended Ronda Rousey‘s reign.
A win for both Aldana or Dumont could not earn a title shot, however every girl might maybe be only one extra win away after. So this battle is essential for each. Aldana obtained again into the win column over Karol Rosa, whereas Dumont is driving a four-fight profitable streak.
Kayla Harrison and Ketlen Vieira are set to throw down in a possible title eliminator on Oct. 5, so the winner of Aldana and Dumont could compete in one other title eliminator within the winter or spring of subsequent 12 months.
Manuel Torres vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
Bahamondes, primarily a striker, will tackle the extra rounded Torres in a enjoyable light-weight conflict. Bahamondes is coming off a head kick KO of Christos Giagos and is the winner of 4 of his final 5.
Torres, in the meantime, is 3-0 within the UFC after profitable on the Contender Sequence in 2021. After combating solely as soon as every in 2022 and 2023, Torres is about to make his second look of 2024. He has wins over Chris Duncan, Nikolas Motta and Frank Camacho.
Torres seemingly has extra hype on him than Bahamondes, however both man can catch numerous buzz with a powerful win within the Sphere and permit them to proceed climbing the ladder of the deep light-weight division.
Yazmin Jauregui vs. Ketlen Souza
Jauregui enters this bout seemingly on the precipice of incomes a top-15 bout. She has a win over No. 14-ranked strawweight Iasmin Lucindo however suffered an upset loss to Denise Gomes. Jauregui rebounded with a win over Sam Hughes and can look to make it two in a row when she meets Souza. Given her win over Lucindo, Jauregui ought to get a crack at a ranked opponent if she beats Souza.
However it goes each methods. A win over a extremely touted prospect in Jauregui can be the largest of Souza’s profession thus far and will fast-track her to a top-15 opponent. Souza is 1-1 within the UFC, incomes a win over Marnic Mann.
Jauregui, a Mexican, will seemingly have the UFC Noche crowd on her aspect and can look to stamp her ticket to the higher echelon of the 115-pound division.
Edgar Chairez vs. Joshua Van
Van suffered his first UFC loss to Charles Johnson in his final outing. He’ll look to get again on monitor in opposition to Chairez after he received his first three UFC bouts, together with defeating Zhalgas Zhumagulov in his debut.
Chairez submitted Daniel Lacerda after the primary bout between the 2 led to a no-contest when the referee thought Lacerda tapped out however didn’t. Chairez put a stamp on it within the rematch and now shifts his focus to Van in what needs to be enjoyable flyweight scrap.
Chairez and Van are each recognized for his or her ending talents. Chairez has completed all 11 of his skilled wins, whereas Van has completed eight of 10 of his.
Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Aoriqileng
Rosas Jr., the prospect with probably the most hype behind him on the prelims, and arguably UFC 306, opens up the present in opposition to Aoriqileng. Rosas Jr. is 3-1 within the UFC, ending all three of his wins: Ricky Turcios, Terrence Mitchell and Jay Perrin.
Aoriqileng poses a stylistic conflict, as he’s predominantly a striker, whereas Rosas Jr.’s greatest work comes within the grappling. At 25-11 as a professional, Aoriqileng is by far Rosas Jr.’s most skilled opponent, which provides one other fascinating wrinkle to Rosas Jr.’s growth. Christian Rodriguez, a strong prospect himself, has turn into a little bit of a prospect killer for the UFC. He handed Rosas Jr. his first skilled loss in Rosas Jr.’s second battle within the Octagon – in his third battle within the UFC. Turcios was a step up after the loss, and Rosas Jr. handed the check. Aoriqileng is one other step up within the expertise edge. Can Rosas Jr. go with flying colours as soon as once more? Or will it’s a case of an excessive amount of, too quickly, like Rodriguez?
For Aoriqileng, a win over Rosas Jr. can be big for his inventory going ahead.
Featured Picture credit score:Embed from Getty Photographs
