Dvalishvili upsets O'Malley to win title at UFC Noche

Merab Dvalishvili upset Sean O'Malley to win the bantamweight title in a unanimous-decision win at UFC Noche in Las Vegas.

Georgia's Dvalishvili, 33, out-wrestled American O'Malley in a typically relentless display of grappling in the first sporting event to take place at the Sphere.

The bout saw some bizarre moments as Dvalishvili was warned by the referee for arguing with O'Malley's coach in the first round and kissing his opponent in the second.

The victory extends Dvalishvili's win streak to 11 with O'Malley - regarded by many as the next global star of the UFC - losing his belt in his second defence.

"Today I'm the best fighter in the UFC, I prove [it]," said an emotional Dvalishvili.

"Nothing surprised me, I can go 15 rounds like this. He's a great fighter but I made him look normal."

The co-main event saw Kyrgyzstan's Valentina Shevchenko grind out a unanimous-decision win over Mexico's Alexa Grasso to regain the flyweight title.

The bout, which was first women's trilogy bout in UFC history, saw Shevchenko dominate on the ground throughout as the 36-year-old became a two-time champion.

The event, which cost the UFC $20m (£15.3m) to host at the Sphere, the entertainment venue which describes itself as a "world-first immersive destination" and was rebranded as UFC Noche in honour of Mexican Independence Day.

A movie, split into chapters, played throughout the evening on the enormous LED screens coating the inside of arena which paid tribute to Mexico, its history and culture.

UFC president Dana White vowed to put on the “greatest live combat sports show anybody has ever seen" in the build-up to the event, as he complimented the Sphere on being "the star of the show".

The event saw glittering holograms of the fighters towering over the fans, while bouts played out in front of elaborate backdrops, ranging from flame-lit Aztec pyramids to a futuristic-looking Mexico City.

At other points in the night, animated marigold petals and confetti rained down on the audience as videos paid tribute to the country's combat sports history.

O'Malley, 29, was chosen as the face of the ambitious event but in Dvalishvili faced an opponent who expertly nullified his dangerous counter-striking style.

In the opening seconds of the fight Dvalishvili's attention strangely turned to O'Malley's coach Tim Welch as the pair exchanged words, before both being warned by referee Herb Dean.

Dvalishvili showed his early intentions by using constant footwork to keep O'Malley at range, before choosing his moments to secure finely-timed takedowns.

After controlling O'Malley on the ground for much of the second round, the fight saw its second odd moment as Dvalishvili repeatedly kissed O'Malley on the back during a submission attempt.

His actions brought another warning from Dean, as O'Malley responded angrily with a strike to the side of the head.

O'Malley had his best round in the third, landing jabs and a knee, but Dvalishvili was only momentarily discharged from his gameplan.

The Georgian saw out the fight in dominant fashion, pressuring O'Malley and taking him down multiple times before the end of the fifth round, to secure his first UFC title.

Last March, Grasso, 31, stunned Shevchenko by ending her run of seven straight flyweight title defences.

The pair fought in a rematch last September with Grasso retaining her belt in a draw, before they faced off as opposing coaches on the reality TV show the Ultimate Fighter earlier this year.

Their historic meeting at the Sphere saw Grasso go in as a pre-fight favourite for first time in the trilogy but she had little answer to Shevchenko's all-round game.

Shevchenko displayed slick counter striking, mixed with takedowns and control time on the ground, as she won every round against the Mexican.

Grasso's best chance of victory came with armbar and triangle submission attempts off her back, but despite a couple of nervy moments for Shevchenko, she defended well to quickly regain control of the fight.

Grasso, with her hands on her hips, grew more frustrated between rounds and when the final bell rang, walked despondently over to her corner as Shevchenko cried out in delight.

"The gameplan was to go in and fight to the end, do everything to win the fight," said Shevchenko.

"I want to say thank you to Alexa and her team because this rivalry is what people wanted to see from female martial arts, this will stay in history forever.”