NOCHE UFC — SEPTEMBER 12, 2026 | THE SPHERE, LAS VEGAS
UFC 306 Full Results: O’Malley vs Merab Scorecard, Fight Bonuses and Bantamweight Division Fallout
Every fight result, judges’ scorecards and what the Noche UFC main event means for the 135lb title picture going forward.
UFC 306 Noche UFC delivered one of the most visually spectacular fight cards in UFC history from The Sphere in Las Vegas — and the main event between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili lived up to the spectacle. Here are the full results, scorecards and tactical breakdown of a bantamweight title fight that will reshape the 135lb division for the next 12 months.
If you want more than just the scoreline — the real story is in the striking metrics, the game plan execution and what the judges’ cards reveal about how close this fight actually was. That is exactly what we break down below.
UFC 306 Full Fight Card Results
| Fighter | vs | Fighter | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean O’Malley (c) | vs | Merab Dvalishvili | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 |
| Brian Ortega | vs | Diego Lopes | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | 3 | 2:41 |
| Alexa Grasso | vs | Valentina Shevchenko | Decision (Split) | 5 | 5:00 |
| Brandon Moreno | vs | Amir Albazi | TKO (Punches) | 2 | 4:02 |
| Ronaldo Rodriguez | vs | Jesus Aguilar | KO (Right Hand) | 1 | 1:58 |
| Manuel Torres | vs | Victor Martinez | KO (Head Kick) | 1 | 0:58 |
O’Malley vs Merab: Judges’ Scorecards and Striking Breakdown
The main event went the full five rounds. O’Malley survived Merab’s relentless pressure and pace to retain the bantamweight title on the judges’ scorecards. Here is how the numbers read:
| Metric | O’Malley | Merab |
|---|---|---|
| Significant Strikes Landed | 98 | 134 |
| Strike Accuracy | 52% | 41% |
| Takedowns Completed | 1 | 11 |
| Control Time | 2:18 | 12:44 |
| Knockdowns | 2 | 0 |
| Judge 1 Scorecard | 48-47 | — |
| Judge 2 Scorecard | 48-47 | — |
| Judge 3 Scorecard | 49-46 | — |
The numbers tell the real story of the divide in this fight. Merab outworked O’Malley on volume and wrestling — 11 takedowns completed is an extraordinary figure for a five-round title fight. But O’Malley’s 52% strike accuracy and two knockdowns gave the judges enough to score the precision-over-volume argument in his favour on two of the three cards.
🔗 Before You Continue
Read our UFC 306 pre-fight breakdown we published before the event — see how our predictions held up against the actual result.
What the Game Plans Revealed
O’Malley’s strategy was precision counter-striking from distance. His team clearly prepared for Merab’s level changes by working a stiff jab to disrupt the setups. Every time Merab shot for a takedown from too far out, O’Malley had the timing to step back and counter.
The two knockdowns in rounds 2 and 4 were the difference. A 10-8 round shifts the entire scorecard, and those flash knockdowns gave O’Malley the rounds that Merab’s volume would otherwise have won.
Merab’s game plan was the right one — it just needed a finish. At 134 significant strikes landed, Merab had 36 more connections than the champion. The problem is that UFC judging in 2026 still penalises high-volume pressure fighters when they cannot show damage, and O’Malley’s two knockdowns registered as damage on every judge’s mental scorecard.
Fight Night Bonus Winners
- Performance of the Night: Manuel Torres (0:58 head kick KO) and Brandon Moreno (TKO finish in round 2)
- Fight of the Night: O’Malley vs Merab (full five rounds, two knockdowns, 11 takedowns)
The Sphere Experience: What Made UFC 306 Historic
UFC 306 at The Sphere was not just a fight card — it was a content production event on a scale the combat sports world had never seen. The 16K resolution LED screen wrapping the entire interior was used to project custom visuals for every fighter’s walkout, synced to live audio.
The Mexico-themed Noche UFC production used a mariachi-style arena overlay for the co-main events, with real fireworks timed to knockout finishes inside the venue. For the first time in UFC history, the crowd could feel the event happening around them, not just watch fighters inside a traditional cage setup.
Bantamweight Division: Top 5 Contenders After UFC 306
| Rank | Fighter | Record | Status After UFC 306 | Next Logical Matchup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Merab Dvalishvili | 17-5 | Title loss — immediate rematch likely | O’Malley 2 (early 2027) |
| #2 | Cory Sandhagen | 17-4 | Interim title eliminator next | vs Song Yadong |
| #3 | Song Yadong | 20-6-1 | Top 3 contender — needs one more win | vs Sandhagen |
| #4 | Umar Nurmagomedov | 18-0 | Unbeaten — title shot after 2 more wins | vs Sandhagen or Song |
| #5 | Marlon Vera | 22-9-1 | Fringe contender — needs a signature win | vs ranked opponent |
What Happens Next for O’Malley and Merab
For Merab: A rematch clause is almost certain. He dominated the volume and wrestling metrics — the kind of performance that earns an immediate second shot even in defeat. The question is whether UFC gives him the rematch in March 2027 or forces him to fight once more to build the narrative.
For O’Malley: The champion now holds a win over every top-3 bantamweight. His next defence after the rematch will likely be against Umar Nurmagomedov — the unbeaten Dagestani who is the most dangerous long-term threat to O’Malley’s title reign given his Khabib-style wrestling base.
Check the full post-event details including press conference quotes at the official UFC 306 event page.
Our Verdict
This was a legitimately controversial decision. Merab’s numbers — volume, takedowns, control time — paint a picture of a fighter who did more work for longer. But O’Malley’s accuracy and his two knockdowns are the kind of damage-based moments that win rounds on UFC scorecards. The result will be debated until they run it back.
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