The UFC is set to hold its first card at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, this Saturday, headlined by a bantamweight title fight between champion and bonafide superstar “Suga” Sean O’Malley and Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili.
Also taking place Saturday night is the women’s flyweight championship and trilogy fight between Mexican-born champion Alexa Grasso and Valentina “The Bullet” Shevchenko.
However, these title fights will be preceded by a highly anticipated featherweight clash between twelfth-ranked Diego Lopes and third-ranked Brian “T-City” Ortega.
Sean O’Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili is finally set to be given the title shot he has so longingly called for after he outwrestled former double champion, and gold medalist, Henry Cejudo to win a unanimous victory.
That title shot comes against the man who knocked out his teammate to win the belt, “The Suga Show,” Sean O’Malley. After winning the belt off Aljamain Sterling in August of 2023, O’Malley avenged his only loss in his first title defense when he completely dismantled Marlon “Chito” Vera in their rematch at UFC 299.
However, this second defense of his belt looks to be mountains more difficult as he is opening as an underdog against the challenger Dvalishvili, joining only a handful of other champions in opening as an underdog with the belt.
When looking at the difference between the two’s fighting styles, it should be no surprise the oddsmakers are so high on the Georgian. While O’Malley is regarded by many to be one of the best strikers currently in the UFC, he has never really fought a grappler, much less someone with the ground skills of Merab.
O’Malley did capture the belt from Merab’s teammate, Aljamain Sterling, by a second-round knockout, but there were moments in the first round that looked to trouble O’Malley, particularly in the grappling exchanges. While it’s obvious O’Malley has improved his grappling in the past year, Merab Dvalishvili has that type of grappling skill you can’t adjust against until you’re already in the middle of the fight.
My Prediction: While O’Malley can stand and strike with the top of the top in the UFC – and he will have his moments in this fight – I think Merab’s relentless grappling is going to be way too much to handle. I see Merab winning by decision.
Valentina Shevchenko vs Alexa Grasso III
After ruling the UFC Women’s Flyweight division with an iron fist for over four years, “The Bullet” was shockingly upset by Alexa Grasso in March of 2024. Immediately after Grasso’s stunning upset, a rematch between the two was set to headline a fight night card on Sept.
16, 2024, for the UFC’s annual Hispanic Heritage Month card.
After another close fight, -- this time going all five rounds to a decision -- Grasso retained her belt after the fight was called a draw. While media and fans alike could not agree on who they thought won the fight, no one scored the fight a draw. Afterwards, unsurprisingly, a trilogy fight between the two was booked, but the fighters were also picked as the coaches for the 32nd season of the UFC’s reality TV show, “The Ultimate Fighter.”
My Prediction: It’s not often I don’t know who to pick, but for this fight, I’m at a loss.
Valentina Shevchenko is inarguably a top five WMMA fighter of all time, with Amanda Nunes being inarguably the greatest. The only two who you could argue should take her spot at second is Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Chris Cyborg, but Shevchenko holds a win over Jedrzejczyk and had two close fights with Nunes.
However, since Shevchenko made the move to flyweight and captured the title, it has been well-known that she’s an extraordinary fighter in a division full of ordinary fighters. While Grasso was long to be considered, just the results of the past two fights may show Grasso is, dare I say, better than the long-time flyweight queen.
Based on all the things I witnessed Shevchenko do during her reign – I will never forget being 12-years-old in my room and watching her send Jessica Eye to a realm beyond the shadow realm with a head kick – I’m leaning towards Shevchenko. Honestly, this fight could go either way, and I will be watching with bated breath.
Brian Ortega vs Diego Lopes
What. A. Banger.
These two were scheduled to face off at UFC 304 in July of 2024, but due to health-related issues, Ortega had to pull out mere hours before the fight. After impressing everybody in his short-notice debut against Movsar Evloev at UFC 288 in May of 2024, Diego Lopes’ UFC career has been a hype train the likes of a bullet train going at full speed.
Since his narrow loss in his debut, Lopes has stacked up four straight wins in the octagon with the latter two coming against Sodiq Yussuf and Dan Ige. With a win Saturday night, the only thing standing between Diego Lopes and a featherweight title shot is who wins the featherweight title match between Spanish-born Illia Topuria and current UFC BMF belt holder Max “Blessed” Holloway.
However, Brian Ortega is no easy task whatsoever. Since losing his first title shot against Holloway, Ortega has been sidelined various times for health issues, but that hasn’t stopped him from claiming impressive wins over “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung and Yair Rodriguez and almost dethroning former long-time champion Alexander Volkanovski.
My Prediction: Diego Lopes is next up. It’s as simple as that. His striking is better than Ortega’s, and his jiujitsu is almost, if not just as good as, Ortega’s. I think Lopes will rattle Ortega’s chin early and finish with strikes, or he’ll possibly grab a submission while Ortega is hurt.
Make sure to watch Noche UFC live on ESPN+ pay-per-view on Sept. 14, 2024.
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