Dvalishvili upsets O'Malley to win title at UFC Noche

Merab Dvalishvili upset Sean O'Malley to triumph nan bantamweight title successful a unanimous-decision triumph astatine UFC Noche successful Las Vegas.

Georgia's Dvalishvili, 33, out-wrestled American O'Malley successful a typically relentless show of grappling successful nan first sporting arena to return spot astatine nan Sphere.

The bout saw immoderate bizarre moments arsenic Dvalishvili was warned by nan referee for arguing pinch O'Malley's coach successful nan first information and kissing his force successful nan second.

The triumph extends Dvalishvili's triumph streak to 11 pinch O'Malley - regarded by galore arsenic nan adjacent world prima of nan UFC - losing his loop successful his 2nd defence.

"Today I'm nan champion combatant successful nan UFC, I beryllium [it]," said an affectional Dvalishvili.

"Nothing amazed me, I tin spell 15 rounds for illustration this. He's a awesome combatant but I made him look normal."

The co-main arena saw Kyrgyzstan's Valentina Shevchenko grind retired a unanimous-decision triumph complete Mexico's Alexa Grasso to regain nan flyweight title.

The bout, which was first women's trilogy bout successful UFC history, saw Shevchenko predominate connected nan crushed passim arsenic nan 36-year-old became a two-time champion.

The event, which costs nan UFC $20m (£15.3m) to big astatine nan Sphere, nan intermezo venue which describes itself arsenic a "world-first immersive destination" and was rebranded arsenic UFC Noche successful honour of Mexican Independence Day.

A movie, divided into chapters, played passim nan evening connected nan tremendous LED screens coating nan wrong of arena which paid tribute to Mexico, its history and culture.

UFC president Dana White vowed to put connected nan “greatest unrecorded combat sports show anybody has ever seen" successful nan build-up to nan event, arsenic he complimented nan Sphere connected being "the prima of nan show".

The arena saw sparkling holograms of nan fighters towering complete nan fans, while bouts played retired successful beforehand of elaborate backdrops, ranging from flame-lit Aztec pyramids to a futuristic-looking Mexico City.

At different points successful nan night, animated marigold petals and confetti rained down connected nan assemblage arsenic videos paid tribute to nan country's combat sports history.

O'Malley, 29, was chosen arsenic nan look of nan eager arena but successful Dvalishvili faced an force who expertly nullified his vulnerable counter-striking style.

In nan opening seconds of nan conflict Dvalishvili's attraction strangely turned to O'Malley's coach Tim Welch arsenic nan brace exchanged words, earlier some being warned by referee Herb Dean.

Dvalishvili showed his early intentions by utilizing changeless footwork to support O'Malley astatine range, earlier choosing his moments to unafraid finely-timed takedowns.

After controlling O'Malley connected nan crushed for overmuch of nan 2nd round, nan conflict saw its 2nd overseas infinitesimal arsenic Dvalishvili many times kissed O'Malley connected nan backmost during a submission attempt.

His actions brought different informing from Dean, arsenic O'Malley responded angrily pinch a onslaught to nan broadside of nan head.

O'Malley had his champion information successful nan third, landing jabs and a knee, but Dvalishvili was only momentarily discharged from his gameplan.

The Georgian saw retired nan conflict successful ascendant fashion, pressuring O'Malley and taking him down aggregate times earlier nan extremity of nan 5th round, to unafraid his first UFC title.

Last March, Grasso, 31, stunned Shevchenko by ending her tally of 7 consecutive flyweight title defences.

The brace fought successful a rematch past September pinch Grasso retaining her loop successful a draw, earlier they faced disconnected arsenic opposing coaches connected nan reality TV show nan Ultimate Fighter earlier this year.

Their historical gathering astatine nan Sphere saw Grasso spell successful arsenic a pre-fight favourite for first clip successful nan trilogy but she had small reply to Shevchenko's all-round game.

Shevchenko displayed slick antagonistic striking, mixed pinch takedowns and power clip connected nan ground, arsenic she won each information against nan Mexican.

Grasso's champion chance of triumph came pinch armbar and triangle submission attempts disconnected her back, but contempt a mates of nervy moments for Shevchenko, she defended good to quickly regain power of nan fight.

Grasso, pinch her hands connected her hips, grew much disappointment betwixt rounds and erstwhile nan last doorbell rang, walked despondently complete to her area arsenic Shevchenko cried retired successful delight.

"The gameplan was to spell successful and conflict to nan end, do everything to triumph nan fight," said Shevchenko.

"I want to opportunity convey you to Alexa and her squad because this rivalry is what group wanted to spot from female martial arts, this will enactment successful history forever.”