This weekend, the spotlight is on the United States as two major combat sports events unfold: the UFC 306 featuring Sean O'Malley defending his bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili, and the boxing match between Canelo Álvarez and Edgar Berlanga. Both events are set to take place in Las Vegas, showcasing the best of MMA and boxing on the same weekend, creating a thrilling atmosphere for fight fans.
In the UFC 306 main event, Sean O'Malley, nicknamed 'Suga', will defend his title for the second time this year against Merab Dvalishvili. O'Malley, who won the championship against Aljamain Sterling in August 2023, boasts an impressive record of 18 victories, with 12 coming by KO or TKO. His opponent, Dvalishvili, is currently ranked number one in the bantamweight division and remains undefeated since September 2018, holding a record of 17 wins with an average fight time exceeding 15 minutes.
The fight will be broadcast live on RMC Sport 1 at 4:00 a.m. on Saturday night, with pre-fight coverage starting at 1:00 a.m. The event will also include a female flyweight championship bout between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko, among other exciting matchups.
Simultaneously, Canelo Álvarez is set to defend his super middleweight titles against Edgar Berlanga on September 14, during the Mexican Independence weekend. Berlanga, a 27-year-old American with an undefeated record of 22 wins, has boldly predicted a knockout victory in the sixth round. Canelo, with a record of 61 wins, is determined to showcase his experience and skill, despite losing his undisputed status in the 168-pound category earlier this year.
Fans can catch both events live, with UFC 306 airing on RMC Sport and Canelo's fight available through Premier Boxing Champions. This weekend promises to be a thrilling showcase of combat sports, with two champions looking to defend their titles and maintain their legacies.
- The UFC 306 card also features notable fights including Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes in the featherweight division and Daniel Zellhuber vs. Esteban Ribovics in lightweight. The preliminary fights will begin at 2:00 a.m., leading up to the highly anticipated main event.
- Canelo's bout against Berlanga is particularly significant as it marks Canelo's return to the ring following a unanimous decision victory over Jaime Munguía earlier this year. Berlanga, eager to make a name for himself, aims to dethrone one of boxing's biggest stars. The event will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, adding to the excitement of a vibrant fight weekend.
