UFC Noche: Merab Dvalishvili upsets Sean O’Malley to win bantamweight title

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.