First look! Noche UFC takes over Las Vegas sphere ahead of September super event

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Noche UFC was a major hit last year, but the follow-up will be even bigger.

UFC CEO Dana White is in the midst of writing a $16 million love letter — and counting! — to Mexican fighters, fans, and fighting spirit. Also known as UFC 306, the second annual Noche UFC event will take place in the Las Vegas Sphere and will be held on Mexican Independence Day and feature some of the promotion’s top Mexican talent.

Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili — who sort of represents Mexico, depending on who you ask — is rumored as the main event. The pay-per-view (PPV) event will be a one-and-done showcase in the expensive and uniquely formatted sphere, so the card should be expected to go above and beyond average PPV calibre.

In the clip above, the UFC logo adorns the outside of the Sphere venue for the first time. The artwork surrounding the UFC logo is quite reminiscent of Yair Rodriguez’s interim title belt, which received a special Mexican makeover. It remains to be seen just how UFC utilizes the Sphere’s unique graphics to compliment live fighting competition or the PPV feed, but fans can expect big name fight announcements sooner than later.

Of course, those fighters don’t always end up making it to the cage …

Insomnia

UFC Denver loses ANOTHER fight after both Mike Malott and his opponent Gilbert Urbina suffer injuries.

Fortunately, UFC Denver may also have a new match up. Shara Magomedov calls out Kevin Holland, and “Trailblazer” says he’s down!

Last thing on UFC Denver: Two Lightweight sluggers both need new opponents …

Payton Talbott is approaching historical levels of hype.

It’s quite cool to see the amount of support and love Alex Pereira gets from his people.

I expect a bounce back performance and striking showcase from Slava here.

Jiri Prochazka is 1) unintentionally hilarious and 2) woefully uninformed about his own division. I love it!

Slips, rips, and KO clips

I don’t know that I’ve ever seen Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop leg in a women’s MMA fight.

Is it crazier to try to knock out your older, legendary mentor or your younger, highly talented protege? True weirdness over in Japan!

This kind of KO in an LFA title shot probably equals a UFC signing or at least Contenders Series opportunity.

Random Land

A rolling boulder.

Midnight Music: Hip-hop, 1989

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.