The highly anticipated UFC Noche card has been announced. UFC CEO Dana White took to his socials and announced the main card. On the auspicious occasion of Mexican Independence Day, White promised the fans to give a banger UFC card at one of the most exquisite venues in Las Vegas, “The Sphere.” However, a portion of the MMA fans feel that the UFC massively under-delivered for this event.
The main event will see champion Sean O’Malley defend against Merab Dvalishvili. Meanwhile, Mexican-born Alexa Grasso will defend her flyweight title against former champion Valentina Shevchenko in the co-main. Along with this, Brian Ortega and Diego Lopes will face each other again after UFC 303 mishap. The rest of the card features fighters like Daniel Zellhuber and Ronaldo “Lazy Boy” Rodriguez.
Dana White has often mentioned “The Las Vegas Sphere” event as his dream project. In his wish to make it a success, he even spent an ample amount of money. The UFC CEO announced a Mexican-heavy card as the event is based to pay a tribute to the Mexican Independence Day. Last year, Grasso vs Shevchenko 2 headlined the event. However, this time no Mexican fighter will feature in the main event.
Interestingly, many fight fans believed that they might see the featherweight title clash between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway as well at UFC 306. Recently, the Canadian Broadcast partner of UFC even leaked the news of that fight, which left many fans bewildered. However, given the buzz that White created around the event, many MMA fans expected a better card.
Fans react to Dana White’s highly anticipated UFC Sphere card
The MMA fans are quite an active fanbase. Given all the hype that UFC created for this event, they gave mixed reactions when Dana White announced the card. A few months back, some Mexican fans lashed out after hearing reports of Ilia Topuria headlining the event. It shows how important this event is for Mexican fans. Whereas, in the case of neutrals, most loved the idea of O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili as the main event.
Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili will headline the UFC Sphere event (via X)Meanwhile, a portion of fans have clearly shown their disappointment with the main card. Some even mentioned that given this event will be only 10 fights, the UFC could have done a better job at making the main card. Check out some of the fans’ reactions to Dana White’s dream project below.
This is a good card I don’t understand why people are complaining.
— WATER🏴🏳️ (@W4ters4bove) July 27, 2024
I’m going to be completely transparent here. This is a HUGE disappointment for the hype this event was getting. Only 10 fights and only 3 of them are bangers
Monster let down it’s missing another big fight
If you put Topuria vs Holloway at the top it changes everything https://t.co/hsLC4KnpnJ
— Joe Reed (@JoeeReed) July 27, 2024
Is the UFC Noche event average for the venue they are using?
— silverwolf (@thesilverwolfgg) July 27, 2024
I’m sorry.
ODE FUCKING OSBOURNE?
ON THE MAIN CARD AT THE FUCKING SPHERE? A “ONCE IN A LIFETIME” CARD?
What a fucking disappointment. The UFC have shit the bed once again https://t.co/q41EgSwwEW
— THE MMA GURU (@THATBOYMMAGURU) July 27, 2024
As a Mexican, I am absolutely proud of UFC Noche! I love this card a lot of great Mexican Prospects and of course two bangers in the Co and Main. IM AM BEYOND HYPED!#UFC #UFCNoche #MMA
— MMA DAZE (@MMA_Daze) July 27, 2024
@danawhite man, I’m gonna be honest. This is never happening again, and this is what you give us. #UFCNoche I get it but we need better than this for the sphere. You know it I know it…make it happen please 🙏 max vs topuria as co main. 3 title matches for your biggest event…
— Grizzygames247 (@Grizzlygames247) July 27, 2024
Good co main & main … but WTF is the rest of this ? Abu dhabi has a much better card an it’s a fight night 😭so many other fights on that card need to be on the sphere I thought it was gonna cook then we get a mid card , they over hyped the sphere js … 🤦♂️ #ufcnoche https://t.co/S37kqhup8b
— Alexander Dominguez (@__alexmichael) July 27, 2024
Should be lots of good fights!
— Josh Sharp (@ShowInvestment) July 27, 2024
There are a lot of mixed reactions to this event. On paper, the majority believe it is an average card for such an exquisite venue. Now, it remains to be seen how this card will perform at the UFC Noche event on September 16th. Also, it might be interesting to see if Dana White makes some changes to the card.
