UFC 306: Main card predictions for the biggest combat sports event of all time

Ever since the promotion announced they would be bringing UFC 306 to the Sphere in Las Vegas, the anticipation has been palpable and the night is finally upon us.

The star of the show, as UFC CEO Dana White has told it, is the Sphere and the fights are just an added bonus to what will undoubtedly be the most unique sporting event of all time.

The main event sees one of the promotion's biggest stars, Sean O'Malley, defend his bantamweight title against number one contender, Merab Dvalishvili, and there is only one other fighter better suited to the occasion.

Let's take a look at our predictions for the main card of what is the biggest martial arts event of all time.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronaldo Rodriguez (16-2) vs. Ode Osbourne (12-7-0, 1NC) – Flyweight bout

Opening the main card is a flyweight bout between Ode Osbourne and the recently impressive Ronaldo Rodriguez.

'Lazy Boy' made his UFC debut against Denys Bondar last February and earned a very slick second-round victory.

Osbourne is currently on a two-fight losing streak and hopes to snap his recent skid with a win in his 10th UFC outing.

It's fair to say that 'The Jamaican Sensation' has had the heavier strength of schedule of these two 125 pounders, but I think Rodriguez has a little more to his game. The Mexican is on a six-fight winning streak and I see him getting his seventh win in a row next Saturday.

Prediction: Ronaldo Rodriguez via submission

Daniel Zellhuber (15-1) vs. Esteban Ribovics (13-1) – Lightweight bout

Daniel Zellhuber is probably the most exciting candidate coming out of Mexico at the moment, and he has another strong candidate in Argentinian Esteban Ribovics.

In Zellhuber's final appearance, 'The Golden Boy' scored a decisive victory over another Argentinian, Francisco Prado. Ribovics, on the other hand, last fought in May, taking out Terrance McKinney in emphatic fashion with a huge head kick.

I think the power advantage in this matchup is somewhat in favor of 'El Gringo', but Zellhuber has a huge height and reach advantage that will pay off in this fight.

I see this fight being on the feet as both are predominantly attackers. But if it does hit the ground, Zellhuber will likely maintain the slight lead.

I imagine Zellhuber staying on the outside, away from Ribovics' explosions, and outplaying him to a decisive win.

Prediction: Daniel Zellhuber via decision

Brian Ortega (16-3-0, 1NC) vs. Diego Lopes (25-6) – Featherweight bout

Outside of the main event, this match is, in my opinion, the most enticing on the entire card. With this fight canceled a few months ago, this seems like the perfect venue for this incredible featherweight bout.

Diego Lopes has been on a rocket to fame since his UFC debut last year. That went even further when he took a fight against Dan Ige at UFC 303 last June on just a few hours notice.

The general consensus is that Brian Ortega has the wrestling advantage in this fight and Lopes has the striking advantage, but I don't think it's that completely clear.

Granted, Ortega's level of Jiu-Jitsu is probably at a slightly higher level than Lopes', but the Brazilian himself is a slick specialist in the field.

'T-City' has also shown clear, noticeable improvements in recent years, but I'd say Lopes' unpredictability and power give him the edge.

Ultimately, I think the 29-year-old has the advantage and also has the counterattack to nullify Ortega's threat on the ground.

Prediction: Diego Lopes via decision

Alexa Grasso (16-3-1) vs. Valentina Shevchenko (23-4-1) – Flyweight bout

Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko will make history as the first women's trilogy fight in UFC history after their second fight ended in a controversial draw last September.

The Mexican champion has shown in both fights that she has an advantage when it comes to the clinch and ground game, securing a draw in the second outing.

'Bullet' Shevchenko is the more patient and technical fighter, but sometimes tends to be too patient and cautious.

Grasso got in the former champion's face a lot during their first meeting and subsequently got the fight to the ground and secured the submission.

One thing the Mexican does well is that when she gets into range with her punch, she always goes out at an angle instead of going straight back. This allows her to disrupt Shevchenko's rhythm and timing and makes her unpredictable.

However, there's a part of me that just can't see past Shevchenko's skill on the feet and her incredible striking variety, and I see her getting the belt back with that.

Prediction: Valentina Shevchenko via decision

Sean O'Malley (18-1-0, 1NC) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (17-4) – Bantamweight bout

This bantamweight title fight between 'Suga' Sean and Merab 'The Machine' is one of the most intriguing matchups the promotion has staged so far this year.

O'Malley is on the cusp of absolute superstardom and with every performance he increases his stock tenfold. However, Dvalishvili is possibly one of the most ruthless fighters the sport has ever seen and has never had a nickname that better suits a fighter.

The outcome of this battle depends solely on who can use their power first, no matter how obvious that may sound.

If the Georgian challenger can secure a takedown early in this fight and impose himself on the champion, he might be able to take some of the spirit and confidence out of O'Malley.

However, if Dvalishvili's early takedown attempts are stuffed and he's forced to face the sharpshooter O'Malley, he's in a world of trouble.

Aljamain Sterling is a better striker than Dvalishvili and while his struggles are not as relentless and under pressure as Merab's, he has learned the hard way to be alongside O'Malley.

On the feet, Merab is extremely sloppy and awkward and without a takedown he will look seriously out of his depth.

Oddly enough, I think O'Malley makes this one look relatively simple. I think if he gets knocked down, he will manage to get back up and eventually find the killer shot and cement himself as the UFC's biggest star outside of Conor McGregor.

Prediction: Sean O'Malley via knockout

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