UFC 306 Countdown - Full Episode
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00:00For over three decades, the UFC has pushed the boundaries of what combat sports is capable of.
00:09The Octagon is here in Japan for the first time ever.
00:13Record-setting attendance after changes in regulations.
00:17France finally gets a UFC event.
00:20We are outdoors for the first time ever in Abu Dhabi.
00:23No sports are operational, but here we are in my island.
00:27In 2024, the UFC will once again be at the forefront of innovation.
00:32With the first ever sporting event to take place in the world-famous Sphere in Las Vegas.
00:37On September 14th, we will put on the greatest live sporting event of all time.
00:42This state-of-the-art facility was imagined to give those encased within it an immersive experience like no other.
00:48You'll never see anything like this ever again in your life. It's a one-of-one.
00:51Further commemorating this historic moment will be the second iteration of No Chain UFC.
00:56This is my love letter to Mexico and the history of combat in Mexico.
01:02A celebration of Mexican heritage and culture for the modern-day warriors who proudly fly the flag on the world stage.
01:13In the main event, Shugashan O'Malley puts his UFC bantamweight title on the line
01:19against the number one contender Murad Dwalishwili.
01:23He's fought really, really, really good guys, but he's never fought someone as good as me.
01:28Worst nightmare about to come true. I want to knock him out.
01:34That will do it! Shugashan O'Malley in round one!
01:38He is going to get everything he can handle from Harab to Dwalishwili.
01:42I know one thing, I can break him and I can finish him.
01:46In the back of a giant killing win streak.
01:48He loves to fight. Oh, but he's in there. He's throwing everything for the kick and sink at his opponents.
01:54The gritty Georgian wrestler gets his first shot at UFC gold.
01:57He is the epitome of volume. The man's a phenom.
02:02My only goal is tight end now.
02:06Against the flamboyant champion, who is out to prove once again that he can shine in the sport's biggest moments.
02:14That will do it for Shugashan O'Malley!
02:19I'm running this until 2035. Let's go, baby!
02:24In the Comaine event. The third chapter in an epic trilogy.
02:29Between flyweight queen Alexa Grosso and the former champion Valentina Shevchenko.
02:36This fight is necessary because I want to make clear that I'm the champion.
02:41Knockout for Grosso!
02:43Grosso pounding away, Shevchenko covering up.
02:46I have to win this fight and gain my belt back.
02:50You're walking in there against your equal. They are going to go to war. It's as simple as that.
02:55They will do whatever it takes to win this fight.
02:58This is the battle. Who wants it more?
03:00Grosso leads the charge for a Mexican army out in force to represent their nation on September 14th.
03:07Viva Mexico!
03:09In this episode, we check in with the main attractions.
03:13Let's go!
03:17As they prepare for this once in a lifetime opportunity in Sphere.
03:24This is UFC 306.
03:28Countdown.
03:31It will be the greatest live sporting event anybody has ever seen.
03:37UFC 306
03:47UFC 306 in the iconic Sphere will be yet another milestone moment in the promotion's history.
03:55A blockbuster pay-per-view of this magnitude requires star power to match.
04:00And currently none shine brighter than UFC bantamweight champion Sugar Sean O'Malley.
04:06The Sphere is almost hard to put into words.
04:11And it's so f****** huge.
04:18It truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make the walk in there and get in a fight.
04:27You got massive superstars that could potentially headline this.
04:31And they chose me.
04:33Ladies and gentlemen, watch and enjoy. The Sugar Show is upon us.
04:37He has captured the hearts and minds of so many fans.
04:40But more important than anything, this guy can fight.
04:45Spinning attack from O'Malley.
04:46Sean O'Malley is an absolute star in the making.
04:49That's it. The Sugar Show!
04:51Live and in color!
04:52But can he match the hype?
04:55He made it.
04:56He's got a full set of skills, but maybe even more importantly, he's got that it factor.
05:01That makes people want to follow him.
05:04That might be the greatest walk away KO we've ever seen.
05:07Some more Lambos.
05:09That thing's so sick.
05:10I felt like it was inevitable for me to become where I'm at.
05:13He's good enough and marketable enough to be a household name.
05:17When you're fighting, you're fighting the Sugar Show. There's something going on, man.
05:21And he's going to make a ton of people around him a lot of money, as he will make for himself.
05:24It comes down to who's doing massive numbers, who's doing big business for the UFC.
05:28And I do think I'm that guy.
05:29I remember when McGregor started to headline cards and sell out arenas.
05:33It was the same thing.
05:34It's what I wanted when I was coming up in the sport.
05:37I wanted to do big things.
05:39If this kid can become champion tonight, this arena will go crazy.
05:43And the whole sport will be turned on its head.
05:46O'Malley trying to close it out here!
05:49The Sugar Show on top of the world!
05:53I've won the belt, but I still feel like I'm not really at the end goal.
06:00Sean O'Malley, welcome to superstardom!
06:04This man, from watching him from Dana White's Contender Series,
06:07to the champion that he is now, the global superstar.
06:10Cheers, boys.
06:11What a journey.
06:14The end goal is to become the biggest combat sports athlete in history.
06:17Boy, is he going to be huge now.
06:20Probably a top five star in the company at the very least.
06:22Absolutely. And has the potential to be number one.
06:30Gateline, Miami!
06:33This is UFC 299, O'Malley vs. Vera 2.
06:38As the new king of the bantamweight division,
06:40O'Malley looked to immediately strengthen his legacy
06:43with a rematch against the only man to hold a victory over him inside the Octagon.
06:50Something's wrong with O'Malley's leg.
06:51Yep, he's right leg.
06:53Huge elbow from Chino and another one!
06:55That is it!
06:56Huge elbow from Chino and another one!
06:58That is it!
06:59Marlon Chito, Vera!
07:02That fight went the way it went.
07:06I lost, but I don't feel like I lost.
07:09So, me vs. Chito had to happen again.
07:12Too fast, too slick.
07:14Too dialed.
07:15He's a piñata tonight. He's a piñata.
07:18It drove me crazy.
07:20People are like, oh, Chito beat you.
07:21I'm like, Chito's not better than me.
07:23I know that for a fact.
07:24A lot of people are suggesting that you're not the champion
07:27until you successfully defend the title.
07:30That is what is in front of Sean O'Malley here tonight.
07:33Sir, are you ready?
07:34Sir, are you ready?
07:35Fight!
07:38Right when I got in there, first round,
07:39I was like, okay, this is what I remembered.
07:41O'Malley shuffling up the footwork a lot here in the early going.
07:45Be slow.
07:46Stay sharp!
07:47Yeah!
07:49I feel like I'm faster than everybody.
07:51But I felt like I was way faster than Chito.
07:53Just breathe and bring yourself right here.
07:55You're way too fast for him.
07:56He's not the athlete I am.
07:58He doesn't have the speed I have.
07:59The speed difference is very obvious.
08:02He doesn't have the skills I have.
08:04And I went out there, and I got to prove that.
08:07Oh!
08:08Master knee up the gut for O'Malley.
08:10Vera on the retreat.
08:12I mean, it sounded like a bat hit the watermelon.
08:14Chito is busted up.
08:16Now he's opening up.
08:17Oh, right hand and then a left.
08:20The speed of O'Malley is something to behold.
08:24Oh!
08:25Knocked down late in the round!
08:26You stung him with the right hand.
08:27I knew I was in shape for 25 minutes.
08:30Beautiful trip by the champion.
08:32He's just getting outclassed.
08:34This is just a shutout by Sean O'Malley.
08:38The fight damn near went perfect.
08:40And...
08:42down!
08:44The dominant performance was watched intently
08:47by the next in line to challenge for the bantamweight crown.
08:50Give us your thoughts on what you would like to do next.
08:53If you guys want me to knock out Murab, I'll do that.
09:00The road to the UFC title for Murab Dwaleshwili
09:03has been a long one.
09:05Beginning in his native country of Georgia.
09:08So, this is my little collection from my country.
09:11Tbilisi is Georgia's capital city.
09:14Very beautiful.
09:15And this is from third century.
09:18They find in Georgia, like, knife like this, you know?
09:24When I was 13, I started training in wrestling.
09:29I was competing in Sambo.
09:35I became Georgian champion
09:37and European championship bronze medalist winner.
09:41After that, I really started dreaming about fighting in UFC.
09:47To accomplish his goal of fighting on the world's biggest stage,
09:50Dwaleshwili would leave his home country for the United States.
09:55The enthusiasm of Murab Dwaleshwili cannot be questioned,
09:59and especially tonight.
10:02Under the guidance of the renowned Saralongo team.
10:05Nice! Again, Murab!
10:07The Georgian realized his dream of making it to the UFC
10:10and quickly established himself as an imposing threat
10:13for the bantamweight division.
10:15Murab Dwaleshwili is a grappling machine so much.
10:18They call Murab the machine.
10:20He does not stop.
10:21How about that?
10:23Oh! Oh, he hurt with the right hand!
10:25He hurt with the right hand bad!
10:27Go! Keep going, Murab!
10:29They're gonna stop it!
10:30Yeah, Murab!
10:31Keep it going, Murab!
10:33It's over now.
10:34That'll do it!
10:36Seven in a row for Murab Dwaleshwili.
10:40You guys, please work for your dream.
10:43And everything is possible.
10:45An eventual relocation to Las Vegas
10:48would see a mad syndicate frontman, John Wood, into the fold.
10:52All right, let's get this going.
10:54Nice, sharp jab.
10:56One-two block.
10:58Good.
11:00Twelve-ten.
11:02And together, the team would continue the charge towards contention.
11:05When you first start working with a fighter,
11:07you never know what you're gonna get.
11:09When Murab got here, obviously, seeing the way he fights,
11:11he's a madman in there.
11:12He's just a little Tasmanian devil.
11:13The pace of Murab Dwaleshwili is something to behold.
11:18It is a weapon.
11:20His drive and will to win is second to none.
11:23But I was really pleasantly surprised
11:25the first time we actually started working together.
11:27Inside over.
11:29Nice.
11:31Everything that I would teach him, he would absorb.
11:33That overhand's gonna be there.
11:35He's tired now, so let's get that split over,
11:37and then let's get that split over on his way.
11:39And it was one of those things where I was like,
11:41oh, okay, we might have something to work with here.
11:43Yeah, outstanding.
11:45Stay tight. Keep your hips pressed on him, Murab.
11:47This guy is a real problem to anybody.
11:50Pull away from the fence.
11:52Because he doesn't get tired.
11:54He just dragged you to that dark place,
11:56trying to drown you, man.
11:58Keep the pressure here. We're pressing him back.
12:00Now we're pressing him back.
12:02You can see the elevation of his game to earn the spot.
12:04Slide up. There you go.
12:06And so, as a coach, it's awesome to be able to see him
12:10really be able to shine.
12:11Oh, big shot!
12:13Look at this.
12:15Goes for the takedown, and he picks him up,
12:17carries him across the octagon, and here comes the slam.
12:19Suhuro's not used to being ragdolled like this.
12:22Look at him. He's talking to Zuckerberg.
12:24He's had a grind from the bottom all the way to the top.
12:26A win over a third former champion in Henry Suhuro
12:29pushed Dwalish Willie's win streak into double figures.
12:32Ten in a row for Murab Dwalish Willie!
12:36And earned the Georgian a headline fight for the title
12:38at a marquee event.
12:39The Bantamweight title fight.
12:41Shawn O'Malley versus Murab.
12:43The highly anticipated UFC No J Card September 14th.
12:47Expect an absolute war in this one.
12:58UFC 306.
13:00We'll see the return of Bantamweight champion
13:03Sugar Shawn O'Malley
13:05for his second title defense.
13:06O'Malley welcomes the challenge
13:08from the number one contender,
13:10Murab Dwalish Willie.
13:12Oh!
13:14The Georgian's title shot was earned on merit
13:16following a ten-fight win streak.
13:18But Dwalish Willie had the champion in his sights
13:20long before.
13:23To see him and Sugar Shawn would be nuts.
13:29Murab, you're making Sugar wait.
13:31So, can we give him and Shawn O'Malley something?
13:34A little.
13:36You gotta be strong like me.
13:38Shawn, I'd like to say it's a pleasure to have you.
13:41So, we're going to go ahead
13:43and put on your last fight here.
13:45Yeah.
13:47Shawn O'Malley's first Bantamweight championship
13:49title defense beckons tonight in Miami, Florida.
13:52The thing with O'Malley is that he moves different.
13:54Like, he's got switching stances.
13:56He's long.
13:58They're hard to get used to something like that
14:00when you get in there.
14:01But, equally, he ain't going to be used to this.
14:04You know?
14:06First, I saw Shawn O'Malley when he won
14:08Bantamweight contender series fight.
14:11O'Malley!
14:13O'Malley!
14:15He got my attention.
14:17And since that, he's superstar.
14:19O'Malley mixing up all his weapons beautifully.
14:22I always want to fight him because, you know,
14:24I look him as the most dangerous guy in my weight class.
14:27You can't bite.
14:29You're going to have to be a little bit patient, too.
14:31Because he fakes a lot.
14:33So, we don't want to be swinging
14:35because he's going to try to get you to miss.
14:37Oh, knockdown late in the round.
14:39He stung him with the right hand.
14:41Since I win my first fight, that's how I call first time.
14:43Shawn O'Malley, I want to fight with him.
14:45Keep smoking.
14:47I will keep training and we'll see who's better.
14:49After this, every time somebody ask me
14:51who I want to fight, I have only one guy I was mentioning.
14:54This is just a shutout by Shawn O'Malley.
14:57Shawn O'Malley, I want to fight next with him.
14:59He's just ignoring me since 2018.
15:02A Rob Dwalish Willie took Shawn O'Malley's red jacket
15:05and that certainly struck a nerve with Shawn O'Malley.
15:08Now he's still champion.
15:10Shawn O'Malley, I'm going to beat the s*** out of him.
15:12When he's champion, bring me here right now!
15:14This is happening perfect time.
15:17This is huge, man.
15:19Huge.
15:21You got to look past the hair and all the style
15:23and the Lamborghini.
15:25This kid is a savage.
15:27F*** that guy.
15:29He's a savage.
15:35As a superstar of the modern era,
15:38Shawn O'Malley is able to enjoy the spoils befitting of a champion
15:42and surround himself with a support network
15:45in his adopted home in Arizona
15:47that allows him to thrive in his life and career.
15:53I moved down here when I was 19
15:55and when I was probably about 22, 23,
15:57my mom ended up moving down.
15:59My mom and Shayla moved down.
16:01My older brother moved down,
16:03so I had the whole family down here.
16:05I'll show you where I'm building my barndo.
16:07My mom works for me full-time.
16:09Danny's mom works for me full-time.
16:11One of my best friends works for me full-time.
16:13It's been cool to be able to do my routines
16:15and pay people to help me continue to do what I'm doing.
16:17So I want to own this whole complex
16:19and put like five houses out here,
16:21have the whole squad on a giant compound.
16:23Hey, what the?
16:25That was my butt cheese!
16:27Hey!
16:29I'm a three-year-old.
16:31I've always known I wanted kids.
16:33I remember being in middle school,
16:35breaking up with this girl
16:37because she didn't want to have kids.
16:39I was always like, I want kids.
16:41I know I want kids.
16:43Can I fill it up for you?
16:45She's fun to hang out with.
16:47Ah!
16:49She loves jumping on the trampoline
16:51even when it's hot out
16:53and the mosquitoes are getting you.
16:55She's getting ready for a brother or sister eventually.
16:57We'd like to move in that direction.
16:59But yeah, I mean,
17:01the coolest thing about what I get to do
17:03is I don't have a full-time job
17:05as far as I don't have to work nine to five.
17:07So I get to be home as much as possible.
17:09I get to be with Elena a lot more,
17:11I feel like, than most dads that have to work all the time.
17:13And I'm really lucky for that.
17:23The loyalty O'Malley shows to his family
17:25is extended to his head coach.
17:29The champion credits
17:31the long-standing relationship with Tim Welsh
17:33as the key to his success.
17:35On that clock.
17:37The duo will once again join forces in preparation
17:39to take on the formidable challenge
17:41that Merab Dwalishwili presents.
17:432-1, uppercut, 2-3-2.
17:453-2.
17:47As soon as he turned pro,
17:49I was always surprised how calm and collected he was.
17:51Anytime the lights are on him,
17:53he's completely there.
17:552-3-2.
17:57He's not nervous, he's not scared.
17:59Change-levels knee.
18:01He performs.
18:03So that's when I knew if we can train him the right way,
18:05then he definitely could become a champion.
18:071-2, back up, 1-2.
18:09Our daily habits for the past 10 years
18:11have really led us to where we're at now.
18:13Okay, your guys' clock's gonna be right here.
18:15Let's go. Here we go, round on.
18:18Yes, yes.
18:20Even you stuttering like that's taking his energy, Shug.
18:22It's forcing him to tighten up.
18:23Yeah, with your feet, with your feet.
18:25Popping in, popping out.
18:27Murab's been on our radar for years now.
18:29He's an animal.
18:31He's got a gas tank that's freakish.
18:33The pace of Murab Dwalishwili
18:35is something to behold.
18:37It is a weapon. Incredible.
18:40He's not scared to take risks,
18:42so Murab is a very serious problem.
18:44Yes, yes, yes.
18:46Heavy leg, heel of the butt.
18:48But it's not hard to find an orthodox wrestler
18:50who lunges in and tries to get a takedown.
18:51He should be more patient with that.
18:53You know Murab.
18:55If he starts to fuel your power,
18:57he's eventually gonna shoot on a takedown.
18:59When people really load up and swing
19:01and they're off balance and they're leaving their feet,
19:03that's a very good recipe to get knocked out.
19:05Beautiful, beautiful. Good timing, good timing.
19:07Especially against someone as sharp as Sean.
19:09That's it, that's it.
19:11So we're really focusing on what we have to do
19:13and let them have to adjust to our strengths.
19:15Yes, keep sticking his guts early.
19:17Those will add up in the third.
19:19It's so hard to mimic Sean.
19:21A person who is such a perfectly balanced southpaw,
19:23perfectly balanced orthodox,
19:25who can knock people out with each limb cold.
19:27Oh!
19:29That'll do it! The sugar show!
19:31It's the angles, the way that he moves is vivid.
19:34Oh!
19:36That's it, don't even get touched, don't even get touched.
19:38His cardio is his number one attribute.
19:41But cardio doesn't mean s***
19:43when you're knocked out on the second round.
19:45If he thinks he's gonna strike with me,
19:47he's making a big mistake.
19:49But he's also making a big mistake
19:51trying to wrestle me.
19:53Ten seconds, boys, ten seconds, yeah!
19:55It's really his choice
19:57how he wants to get knocked out.
19:59Time! Good fight, good fight!
20:04If you're a striker and you're fighting this guy,
20:07it must be the most frustrating thing in the world.
20:09And you better find a way to knock him out early
20:11because his style figures to realize success
20:14in those championship fights.
20:16Keep going, keep going, keep going, beautiful!
20:18Yeah, make him tired, attaboy!
20:19Sean is a good fighter, I think he's gifted,
20:21but I can break him.
20:23I'm gonna pressure him,
20:25and I'm gonna strike.
20:27How many bantamweights are looking at this right now
20:29going, that is a nightmare?
20:31All of them.
20:33Two-step knee, two-three-two.
20:35But there's not a bantamweight in the world
20:37that can stand on the outside
20:39and fight Sean O'Malley.
20:41I wouldn't be surprised if his dumb a** does come out
20:43and try to actually think, okay, I'm gonna strike.
20:45It'll change real quick.
20:47This guy can fight, he is a sniper!
20:49This is me.
20:51He's the kind of guy
20:53I'm going to love knocking out.
20:55This kid is a savage.
20:57I'm so hungry, I need this belt.
20:59I'm gonna leave everything in the Octagon.
21:01Murab is an absolute monster.
21:03And I'm gonna prove again,
21:05hard work pays off.
21:07He is chasing your spirit
21:09in everything that he does.
21:11UFC 306, I will be new champion.
21:13The speed of O'Malley is something to behold.
21:15UFC 306, I'm gonna beat the f**k out of Murab.
21:17I'm gonna hit him until he either goes to sleep
21:19or the ref pulls me off.
21:21I do believe it will be a dominant performance.
21:36On September 14th,
21:39the UFC will hold the first ever sports event
21:41inside Sphere in Las Vegas.
21:43There you go baby, you're all set.
21:46This extraordinary occasion
21:48requires an unprecedented effort
21:50in the build-up.
21:52A task that is welcomed
21:54by the main attractions.
21:56Hands on the hips, perfect.
21:58And action!
22:00We are really going at it
22:02as large as we can imagine.
22:04A recommendation.
22:06It's gonna be a big event.
22:08It's gonna be a big event.
22:10It's gonna be a big event.
22:12Sweet spot, 45 and below.
22:14This is just a direct stream off the camera.
22:17Yeah, it's awesome.
22:19It's really going to be an immersive experience
22:21when you're in the venue.
22:23But we're also setting this up
22:25to give the viewer at home
22:27as close to the same experience
22:29as you can be actually sitting in the Sphere.
22:31Camera's coming.
22:33It's more extreme production day
22:35than it used to, so it's cool.
22:37I know it's gonna be epic.
22:39You're the rock star right now.
22:40This is my lifestyle.
22:42It's a good lifestyle.
22:44Today compared to a couple years ago,
22:46even one year ago,
22:48so many people know me.
22:50It feels good, but at the same time
22:52it's a big responsibility too.
22:54This is my opportunity to win this belt
22:56and do lots of great things with it.
22:58Looking right at the camera here.
23:00Look at the lens.
23:02What do you think it's going to be like
23:04to fight in the Sphere?
23:06It's a special building,
23:08special people fighting there.
23:10That's it.
23:12Yes, thank you so much.
23:29Oh, wow.
23:31Hell yeah.
23:36That's f***ing crazy.
23:40They'll hold your face off,
23:42they'll do their thing around you,
23:44and then you're done.
23:46That's it?
23:48In and out.
23:50Hola amigo.
23:52Welcome to the big show.
23:54Ha ha ha ha.
23:56Oh my god.
23:58Careful what you wish for, buddy.
24:00I knock people out, trust me.
24:023, 2, 1, action.
24:04If you could pick though,
24:06which one would you want?
24:08Left hand or right hand?
24:10Before the world's best bantamweights
24:12take center stage at UFC 306,
24:15Hi, how are you?
24:17fans will witness the third chapter
24:19of a story trilogy
24:21as Mexico's first female champion
24:23takes on the most dominant flyweight
24:25of all time.
24:31She is the total package,
24:35future UFC Hall of Famer.
24:37For over four years,
24:38the 125-pound division
24:40was ruled by Valentina Bullet Shevchenko.
24:43This woman is an assassin,
24:46and she's battle-tested.
24:48There's been no challenge.
24:50She has just cleaned out this division so far.
24:52When I joined UFC,
24:54already by this time,
24:56I already was world champion
24:58in multiple disciplines.
25:00Head kick, that's it.
25:02Oh my god.
25:04She's the real deal.
25:06She's got no weak areas.
25:08When you come with all these titles...
25:10And still the greatest flyweight champion
25:13in UFC history.
25:15Alert. Threat.
25:18You are focusing on becoming champion.
25:23She just gets better
25:25with every single fight.
25:27Is there anyone who has anything
25:29for her at 125?
25:31This is what I was working for.
25:33This is what I wanted.
25:35And definitely UFC belt,
25:36it was my goal for all this time.
25:42She has dominated
25:44everybody from the moment
25:46she got a hold of this championship.
25:48Get her another ruby for the belt.
25:51Here I am.
25:53I'm ready for anyone.
25:55It is going to take a Herculean effort
25:57to dethrone her.
25:59Shevchenko is setting the bar for the sport
26:01for mixed martial arts.
26:03She's showing women,
26:04she's setting the bar set.
26:06As Shevchenko reigns supreme
26:08as the flyweight queen,
26:10a young Mexican prospect
26:12is emerging.
26:14Well, plenty of hype surrounds
26:16this fighter,
26:18Alexa Grosso
26:20from Guadalajara, Mexico.
26:23You just get that feeling, don't you?
26:25That this young lady
26:27is going to be something special indeed.
26:29Grosso!
26:31My biggest goal
26:33when I started competing
26:35was to have a better life
26:37for me and for my family.
26:39Alexa Grosso is a very,
26:41very dangerous woman.
26:43Oh, what a nice left hook.
26:45And then I saw Ronda Rousey.
26:47You are looking at
26:49the biggest star
26:51in mixed martial arts.
26:53The first female champion
26:55in the UFC.
26:57She's the best in the world!
26:59It was something that
27:01a lot of women realized.
27:03That was huge.
27:05She wants to be like Ronda Rousey.
27:07Very, very high aspirations,
27:09but she's working towards it.
27:11You can do a lot in this sport.
27:13The bright, rising
27:15flyweight contender,
27:17Alexa Grosso.
27:19One of the best fighters
27:21to come out of Mexico.
27:23Alexa Grosso is coming along
27:25the exact right moment.
27:27When I came to the flyweight division,
27:29every time we see her,
27:31she's improving.
27:33Because she was so dominant,
27:35she was so strong.
27:37She has the opportunity
27:39to fight a world-class opponent
27:41like Valentina Shevchenko.
27:43So when I had the opportunity,
27:45we were ready.
27:47She has grown into this elite fighter.
27:49She believes that this is her time.
27:51She feels like she's prepped for this
27:53her entire life.
27:55And we take it.
27:57We have a new contender
27:59coming up.
28:01Tateline Las Vegas!
28:04It can be said there are few things
28:06in all of pro sports like a UFC pay-per-view,
28:08and tonight there is a special feeling in the air.
28:10The decorated UFC women's flyweight champion
28:12Valentina Shevchenko.
28:14Eighth title defense tonight
28:16against Mexico's Alexa Grosso.
28:18For that first fight,
28:20I know that the odds were totally against me.
28:22And this reign over the flyweight division
28:24for Shevchenko has certainly set
28:26an incredible bar,
28:27and Alexa Grosso is at the height of motivation
28:29as she enters her fighting prime
28:31at a fight that could change
28:33her life forever.
28:35I knew a lot of people were,
28:37oh, another one for the lion.
28:40All right, red corner underneath.
28:42All right, let's go, Alexa!
28:44But I was like,
28:46I'm going to show my power,
28:48I'm going to show my skills,
28:50I'm going to show my heart.
28:52Well, Mexico is as proud a fighting nation
28:54as there is in the world,
28:55and UFC history from that great nation
28:57has realized a UFC title.
28:59That motivated me more
29:01to be able to show them,
29:03okay, you don't know me,
29:05but you're going to know who I am.
29:07With much fanfare,
29:09here she is,
29:11the greatest flyweight of all time,
29:13the undisputed UFC women's flyweight champion
29:15Valentina Shevchenko.
29:17For the undisputed UFC flyweight champion!
29:20Valentina Shevchenko
29:22looking to make it eight successive
29:23flyweight title defenses.
29:25Alexa Grosso
29:27looking to shock the world.
29:30All right, flyweight championship is underway.
29:33Looking back at the fight,
29:35Vegas crowd showing its support for the champion.
29:37You could tell that I was winning the fight.
29:40Boom!
29:42What an exchange.
29:44Beautiful job by Valentina.
29:46Fantastic.
29:48All right, so the narrative in round three,
29:50ground control and a couple takedowns
29:51for Valentina Shevchenko.
29:53But it's MMA.
29:55You cannot commit any error.
30:02When I saw her spinning,
30:04I said, this is the moment I've been waiting for.
30:07Made an attempt with a spinning backfist.
30:09Got her back taken.
30:11Sensational job by Alexa Grosso.
30:16I trained in that moment so much.
30:19Every day, spinning back kick,
30:21take her back,
30:23go to the ground
30:25and do a rear naked choke.
30:27So I took her back
30:29and I squeezed
30:31until the referee said stop.
30:33This is so tight!
30:35That's really tight.
30:37I think she got it!
30:39She got it!
30:41Alexa Grosso is your flyweight champion!
30:44Oh my goodness!
30:46Being the first woman
30:48and the first female Mexican champion
30:50means a lot to me.
30:52It's a big responsibility.
30:55It's important for me
30:57to be a big representative
30:59from my country
31:01and I just want to be
31:03a good role model for women.
31:05I dreamed of this moment
31:07for so long
31:09and truly I'm thankful for that
31:11because I trained so, so hard
31:13like never before in my life.
31:15I want every single woman
31:16that they can have
31:18any goal they want to achieve,
31:20they can do that.
31:37Alexa Grosso has shocked the world!
31:41Another one for Mako!
31:43Oh my goodness!
31:44No way!
31:46Viva Mexico!
31:50After making history
31:52as Mexico's first UFC female champion,
31:55Alexa Grosso knows
31:57what that accomplishment signifies
31:59not just for herself
32:01but also for her home nation.
32:04I'm proud to represent my country
32:08because it's an amazing country,
32:11it has amazing people.
32:14We love to be passionate
32:16about what we do.
32:44Mole Poblano!
32:49When I got into UFC,
32:51one of my biggest goals
32:53was to be the first Mexican female champion.
33:00When I had the belt around my waist,
33:03it was like a dream.
33:06It was something that
33:08felt so good because
33:10people told us,
33:12you will never achieve it
33:14if you don't work hard.
33:19And being able to be the champion,
33:21training here in my house,
33:23in my country,
33:25means a lot.
33:31I want to show the world
33:33how hard we are working,
33:35not just my team,
33:37like all the teams in Mexico
33:39that are trying to improve,
33:41to get better,
33:43to get better.
33:45A few years before,
33:47we never thought that we would
33:49be producing champions from Mexico.
33:51And we had three
33:53at the same time.
33:56And I'm sure that
33:58many more will come.
34:03With Mexican MMA at its peak,
34:09the UFC announced
34:10its first Noche UFC event
34:12on Mexican Independence Day
34:14in 2023.
34:20Headlined by the rematch
34:22between Grosso
34:24and former champion
34:26Valentina Shevchenko.
34:28From the desert,
34:30we are in Las Vegas, Nevada,
34:32and we are excited to celebrate
34:34Mexican Independence Day
34:36with a title fight
34:38at the first Noche UFC.
34:40The ultimate rivalry
34:42between these two women.
34:44At one point,
34:46I wondered aloud on a broadcast,
34:48is there anyone who has anything
34:50for Valentina Shevchenko
34:52at 125 pounds?
34:54That answer acutely
34:56was Alexa Grosso
34:58at UFC 285 in March.
35:00Valentina Shevchenko
35:02looks to restore order
35:04in a division she dominated
35:06for half a decade.
35:08My championship years
35:10She wants to not only
35:12become champ again,
35:14she wants to do it
35:16in dominating fashion
35:18and dispose of the idea
35:20that Alexa Grosso is better than her.
35:22I knew exactly that I have to get ready
35:24as good as I can
35:26and I have to win this fight
35:28to return my belt back.
35:30Body kick for Shevchenko
35:32is there early.
35:34One reason you can't be overly aggressive
35:36against Shevchenko
35:38is because she possesses
35:40a knee to the body by Shevchenko
35:42but beautifully defended
35:44by the Mexican Grosso.
35:46First round,
35:48it looked like it could have gone to Shevchenko
35:50if you had to guess.
35:52It was one of the best
35:54flyweight female fights ever.
35:56Here we go, round two.
35:58Knockout for Grosso.
36:00Nice knee to the body.
36:02Shevchenko may be in trouble here.
36:04Only round two.
36:06She's hurt.
36:08And now Shevchenko
36:10does a nice job.
36:12Get in, get in.
36:14Ooh, that's tight.
36:16Shevchenko in total control
36:18of this round thus far.
36:20Great finish to the round.
36:22Round one and three to Shevchenko.
36:24Round two to the champion Grosso.
36:26Nice double.
36:28Great sprawl.
36:30Those were legal
36:32because she was dragging her backwards
36:34and the hand was coming up
36:36while she was moving.
36:3820 minutes down.
36:40It definitely was a very tense fight,
36:42but I won the fight.
36:44Now that jab is nasty.
36:46And it landed all night long.
36:48It was close fight,
36:50but I knew that I won that fight.
36:52I did a lot of damage.
36:54I knew that fight was mine.
36:56Oh, gives it back again.
36:58This changes everything.
37:00Grosso pounding away.
37:02Shevchenko covering up.
37:04What an absolute war
37:06between the two best flyweights
37:08in the world.
37:10You put a capstone
37:12on the inaugural Noche UFC.
37:14Alexa Grosso
37:16and Valentina Shevchenko
37:18go the 25-minute championship distance
37:21here in Las Vegas.
37:29When they were taking so much time,
37:31I was like, oh my God,
37:33no, what's going on?
37:35You know, what's happening?
37:37Ladies and gentlemen,
37:38the split draw.
37:40And still the undisputed
37:42UFC flyweight champion
37:46of the world,
37:48Alexa Grosso.
37:54All the world of martial arts,
37:56they saw that it should be my victory.
37:59And it was nonsense.
38:01I fought to the end,
38:03and I think I did enough.
38:05In a fair competition,
38:06it would be mine.
38:08Valentina Shevchenko
38:10should have won that fight,
38:12three rounds to two.
38:14I have Alexa ready in round two
38:16and five, and that's it.
38:18I had the fight squared for Alexa Grosso,
38:20three rounds to two.
38:22Very, very close fight.
38:24I had a three-two for Alexa Grosso.
38:26There's got to be a sixth round or something, right?
38:28It just leaves this taste in your mouth.
38:30I didn't like the result.
38:32Honestly, I didn't like the result
38:34because I knew that I did everything
38:36that I could to be a better fighter that night.
38:38The belt was with me,
38:40which was an important thing.
38:42The only thing that has to be done
38:44is the third fight.
38:46Now you're running this back a third time.
38:48I think you have to.
38:54Reigning champion, Alexa Grosso
38:56trying to take out Valentina Shevchenko
38:58a second time.
39:00Oh, beautiful combination.
39:02Grosso now lands.
39:04They've been scrapping it out.
39:06Oh!
39:12An irresolute draw between Alexa Grosso
39:14and Valentina Shevchenko
39:16in their second title bout
39:18left more questions than answers.
39:20And it's unfortunate, right,
39:22because this fight deserved a winner.
39:24Before they were to meet in the Octagon
39:26for a third time,
39:28the two flyweights were pitted against one another
39:30as opposing coaches
39:32on the 32nd season of The Ultimate Fighter.
39:34All right.
39:36We brought in two of the baddest women of all time,
39:38Alexa Grosso and Valentina Shevchenko.
39:41Good luck, everybody.
39:43With this show,
39:45people actually can see our personal side.
39:47If you do it with a jump,
39:49do it straight.
39:51I'm super excited to have my third fight
39:53against Valentina.
39:55And this show will help to cook this fight,
39:57you know, a lot better.
39:59Yes!
40:00UFC Noche, September 14th
40:03at Sphere in Las Vegas.
40:05Alexa Grosso is taking on Valentina Shevchenko
40:08for the women's flyweight belt.
40:10This fight is going to be incredible.
40:14Former flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko
40:17has honed her craft over decades of training
40:20in various parts of the world.
40:26The nomadic approach to training
40:28is once again in effect.
40:30As she prepares for her 11th UFC flyweight title fight.
40:37For this fight,
40:39it's like a combination of several places.
40:43This is my lifestyle.
40:45This is who I am.
40:47This is what our team is about.
40:52The beginning of my training camp
40:55was in Thailand.
40:57Tiger Muay Thai,
40:58for me, it's my second home.
41:02Then the travel back to United States,
41:04Las Vegas.
41:08And next step was El Paso.
41:14We are right now finishing the training
41:16in the Martial Arts Academy.
41:18Now hands and low.
41:20Hands and low.
41:22Ready? Go.
41:24This is the academy of our friend
41:26Armando Rosales.
41:29We're friends since 10 years ago
41:31when I lived in Houston.
41:33High kick, five, five, five, five, five, five, five.
41:36Since then our friendship,
41:38it's like grew up.
41:40Doing the same, same, same.
41:42Ready? Go.
41:44Her life revolves around
41:46fighting and competition
41:48and martial arts.
41:50But not just like the physical part
41:52that you see.
41:54Her spiritual side.
41:56Take your sparring partner.
41:58Focus her determination,
42:00her ambition,
42:02her warrior spirit.
42:04More quickly, more quickly.
42:06Go up, up, up, up, up.
42:08Up, shadow again, shadow again.
42:10Everything that's ever been known about her,
42:12everything that's ever been said about her,
42:14that's who's coming.
42:16Shadow boxing.
42:18More stronger, more stronger,
42:20more quickly.
42:22High kick, five times, high kick, go.
42:24One leg, another leg.
42:26UFC 306, she's getting her belt back.
42:29I have to go there
42:31and do anything I have to do
42:33to win the fight.
42:35Superman elbow, elbow.
42:37Go, go, go, go, go.
42:39No rest.
42:41Knockout, submission, doesn't matter.
42:43I will go for it.
42:45It's a fight
42:47and there is only one winner.
42:49Good.
42:59While Shevchenko prepares all over the globe
43:01for the Trilogy fight,
43:04Grosso has chosen to stick to her roots,
43:07right at home in Guadalajara.
43:13I have chosen to stay here in Guadalajara
43:15because my head coach is here,
43:17Francisco, who is also my uncle.
43:21He had helped me so much
43:23to develop as an athlete,
43:25as a person, as a fighter.
43:27I start coaching Alexa
43:29when she was 16 years old.
43:34She's literally like my daughter to me.
43:38I admire him so much.
43:40He's been training for so long
43:42since he was very young.
43:44He used to compete, he used to fight.
43:46Excellent, Ruf, that was good.
43:48He has this goal
43:50to show the world
43:52that you can do anything
43:53and I'm thankful with him
43:55to share this with me,
43:57to be with my family
43:59in this amazing world.
44:01It's huge.
44:03This is so tight.
44:05That's really tight.
44:07I think she got it.
44:09Shevchenko taps.
44:11She got it.
44:13And new Alexa Grosso
44:15is your Flyweight Champion.
44:18The moment that I see Alexa
44:20to be champion,
44:22is when I saw in her
44:24her mentality.
44:28She has a lot of discipline.
44:30She don't take days off.
44:33She loves to be in the gym.
44:35She can transition
44:37like a really respectful human being
44:41to a cold-blooded assassin.
44:45I'm improving every area.
44:47Right now,
44:49I can see that
44:51things that I didn't see before.
44:54Every fight come,
44:56every test I've had
44:58just made me feel like I'm better.
45:00Valentina's strengths
45:02are her experience.
45:04She has a lot of fights,
45:06not just in MMA,
45:08but also in Muay Thai.
45:10But I'm her weakness.
45:12She is a phenomenal boxer.
45:14I realize that every time I touch her,
45:16she doesn't like it.
45:18Shevchenko may be in trouble here.
45:19She knows that in exchange
45:21I'm winning every time.
45:23The power in her hands, she feels it.
45:25Another one for Mayko!
45:27First fight, I touch her.
45:29Second fight, I did a knockdown.
45:31And this third fight,
45:33I'm coming with everything to finish her.
45:37Go, together with Valentina.
45:39Doing the same.
45:41Low kick, more high, OK?
45:43Ready?
45:45Go!
45:47Same, same, same, body.
45:49At this level, there is no easy fight.
45:51Let's go!
45:53But all my life,
45:55it's about competing.
45:57One of the greatest mixed martial arts
45:59athletes of all time.
46:01My championship years,
46:03it was not just one or two years.
46:05She dominated for half a decade.
46:07It was seven successful defense.
46:10On her long reign,
46:12it almost felt like a foregone conclusion
46:14every time.
46:16It was just, who is getting served up
46:17to become champion next?
46:19And definitely,
46:21nothing can break my confidence.
46:23So everything what I want to say,
46:25everything what I want to show.
46:27She wants to not only become champ again,
46:29she wants to do it in dominating fashion.
46:31I want to show the day, September 14th.
46:34We love to compete.
46:36We felt each other.
46:38We know each other.
46:40Well, these women certainly bringing out
46:42the best in each other.
46:44And we both want to win.
46:45And we're going to be in that octagon
46:47giving everything we have.
46:49What an absolute war
46:51between the two best flyweights
46:53in the world.
46:55And I'm going to finish this fight.
46:57The highly anticipated conclusion
46:59to the trilogy between flyweight greats
47:01precedes the main event showdown
47:03between UFC bantamweight champion
47:05Sugar Sean O'Malley.
47:07He's so dedicated
47:09to become the best to ever do it.
47:11And the number one contender,
47:13Merab Dwalishwili.
47:15It's impossible to fight this guy.
47:17Just a monster of a man.
47:19It all goes down inside Sphere
47:21on September 14th
47:23for UFC 306.
47:25One of the biggest, baddest
47:27pay-per-view cards of all time.