UFC 306: 10 of the best photos from 'Noche' event inside Sphere in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: A general view during the UFC 306 at Riyadh Season Noche UFC event at Sphere on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) (Jeff Bottari via Getty Images)
UFC 306 provided plenty of unforgettable images from Sphere in Las Vegas. With the venue's unique shape and LED screens running from floor to ceiling, the scenery was inspiring and gave fans and media some of the most memorable scenery ever seen at a UFC event.
The theme of the night was "Noche UFC," in honor of Mexican Independence Day. In addition to fighters with Mexican heritage in every bout save the main event, a Merab Dvalishvili mauling of Sean O'Malley, the UFC produced awe-inspiring visuals between fights in the main card.
There were also more static backgrounds for the fights, which looked straight out of a Mayan-themed video game. The Sphere features the largest LED screen in the world and came at no small expense for the UFC, having paid a reported $20 million for the high-tech venue.
In addition to Dvalishvili's win, the highlight fights were a war between Esteban Ribovics and Daniel Zellhuber, with Ribovics winning, and a masterclass by Valentina Shevchenko to reclaim her women's flyweight belt from Alexa Grasso. Shevchenko pitched a shutout, keeping Grasso on the mat for more than half the fight.
Here are some of the best images from a visually spectacular Saturday fight night in Las Vegas:
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: A general view of the Octagon during the UFC 306 at Riyadh Season Noche UFC event at Sphere on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC) (Cooper Neill via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: A general view of the Octagon during the UFC 306 at Riyadh Season Noche UFC event at Sphere on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC) (Josh Hedges via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: A general view of the Octagon during the UFC 306 at Riyadh Season Noche UFC event at Sphere on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC) (Josh Hedges via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: A general view of Sphere prior to a fight between Irene Aldana of Mexico and Norma Dumont of Brazil during UFC 306: Riyadh Season Noche on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: Manuel Torres of Mexico prepares to face Ignacio Bahamondes of Chile in a lightweight fight during the UFC 306 at Riyadh Season Noche UFC event at Sphere on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) (Chris Unger via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: A general view of Sphere during a celebration of Mexican Independence Weekend between fights during UFC 306: Riyadh Season Noche on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: A general view of Sphere during a celebration of Mexican Independence Weekend between fights during UFC 306: Riyadh Season Noche on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: A general view of Sphere during UFC 306: Riyadh Season Noche on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Christian Petersen via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 14: A general view of the Octagon during the UFC 306 at Riyadh Season Noche UFC event at Sphere on September 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC) (Cooper Neill via Getty Images)
