Cruel Irony as Mexican Fighters go 1-6 at UFC 306

The stars did not align for UFC's Mexican Independence Day celebration.

UFC

Despite being a celebration of Mexican Independence, Mexican-born fighters prospered the least at Noche UFC 2 (UFC 306) on September 14, going 1-6 across the card.

The ten-fight card at Sphere Las Vegas culminated in two eventful title fights, one of which saw Mexican-born champ Alexa Grasso lose her flyweight title in a trilogy against Valentina Shevchenko.

On the prelims, Edgar Chairez lost a narrow decision to Joshua Van in a three-round war. This was followed by Yazmin Jauregui getting choked unconscious by Ketlen Souza.

KETLEN SOUZA JUST SHOCKED EVERYONE AT THE SPHERE #NocheUFC pic.twitter.com/tHNXUE5kis

— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) September 15, 2024

Ignacio Bahamondes then floored Manuel Torres with a picture-perfect right hand in the next fight, doubling it up to secure a TKO in the first round.

Ignacio Bahamondes finishes Manuel Torres with a beautiful right hand! #UFC306 #NocheUFC pic.twitter.com/rH6dmYV4du

— Haduucken (@Haduuuucken) September 15, 2024

In the featured prelim, Norma Dumont soundly defeated Irene Aldana, handing her one of the most gruesome cuts in recent UFC memory.

Umm.

Did Irene Aldana get hit with an axe in the octagon?😳 pic.twitter.com/PzIk5ihBo8

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) September 15, 2024

Kicking off the main card, hot-headed Ronaldo Rodriguez picked up the only victory for team Mexico with a contentious decision victory over Ode Osbourne. Rodriguez was almost put to sleep via strikes and submission in the opening seconds.

RONALDO RODRIGUEZ GETS DROPPED AND SOMEHOW SURVIVES SUBMISSION ATTEMPT EARLY! OH MY GOODNESS!#MMA #UFC #UFC306 #NocheUFC pic.twitter.com/GLdZi1zsyD

— MMA Frenzy (@mma_frenzy) September 15, 2024

'Golden Boy' Daniel Zellhuber then lost a closely contested decision against Argentina's Esteban Ribovics. Between them, they produced one of the best fights of the year.

Daniel Zellhuber somehow survived this pic.twitter.com/ldnQDBeEj2

— MMA Mania (@mmamania) September 15, 2024

Finally, Alexa Grasso was dominated by Valentina Shevchenko in their co-main trilogy fight, losing her title in the process.

MMA can be brutal, which was apparent at UFC 306. The promotion invested tens of millions into the Sphere venue to celebrate Mexican Independence, only for many of its core demographic fighters to lose. Nevertheless, the venue was one of the most spectacular settings in combat sports history.

Read More UFC & MMA News

• Valentina Shevchenko & Alexa Grasso Settle Rivalry at UFC 306
  
• Canelo Alvarez Dominates Edgar Berlanga In One-Sided Fight
  
• Diego Lopes Outclasses Brian Ortega in UFC 306 Barn Burner
  
• Dana White Responds to Critics of Brain-Damaging Power Slap
  

Stick with MMAKnockout for more FREE coverage of the UFC, MMA, Boxing, WWE, and AEW. Follow MMAKnockout on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.