![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Sean-OMalley-Dana-White-and-Ilia-Topuria-1.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
Credits: Getty
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Sean-OMalley-Dana-White-and-Ilia-Topuria-1.jpg?width=600)
via Getty
Credits: Getty
The Nohce UFC 2 or UFC 306 pay-per-view is so close that it feels like it was just yesterday when Dana White announced to blow fans’ minds with the “greatest sporting event of all time” at the Sphere. Meanwhile, UFC legend Chael Sonnen has taken issue with certain speculations catering to that big-time event, and if there’s any truth to it, the native from the mean streets of West Linn, Oregan believes the UFC CEO could be making a huge mistake.
As Dana White revealed to have pumped in $17 million already for the PPV at the $2.3 billion venue, rumors popped up that he’s thinking about adding three title fights on the Sphere card. That sounds impressive and exciting, doesn’t it? Well, for Chael Sonnen, that will be a nightmare because it’s a tried and tested method that has produced mixed results.
Chael Sonnen warns Dana White about the implications of three title fights
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From the beginning of the idea of a UFC event at the Sphere, we were told that the Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko trilogy is going to be featured on the UFC 306 card. However, ‘Bullet’ wanted none of that on Mexican Independence Day, citing that she’ll be at a disadvantage. Nevertheless, those plans are still under contention.
Then again, there have been speculations about the featherweight title fight getting into the mix and a possible Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway bout would be main-eventing the show. After that, given the event’s magnitude, another rumor suggested the addition of a third title fight between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili is also under discussion.
“That fight [Grasso vs Shevchenko] was going to happen on Noche… somewhere along the way, we’ve lost Shevchenko… When we add Max and Ilia and then we find out about ‘Suga’ Sean. You’re now talking bout three title fights,” said Chael Sonnen on his YouTube channel. Apart from Valentina Shevchenko, all the aforementioned fighters, especially Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili, have been clamoring for a spot on Dana White’s Sphere card.
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/GettyImages-1252710427.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
This seems to be a treat for the fans, but Chael Sonnen believes that it’s only going to bore the excitement out of the crowd who’ll be in attendance. Why? Because a finish can never be guaranteed and there’s a chance that fans will have to watch the fights longer than they want, which could see the energy die down in the arena.
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“That is good for a poster, but in practice, it’s a wash. [It] worked one time and one time it bombed… I’ll tell you which show [with 3 title fights] worked. UFC 100. And the next time, it bombed. They all went to distance. You had 75 minutes of fighting. It’s brutal,” Chael Sonnen added. But we’re still almost a couple of months away from the event, and fight announcements may take time. However, Dana White recently opened up on a few significant details on what we’ll get at UFC 306 on the ‘Pat McAfee Show’.
UFC CEO announces total fight counts for the Sphere PPV
Dana White has already set his plans for the fight card in motion, and during his recent appearance on the ‘Pat McAfee’ show, the 54-year-old revealed that he has a total of ten fights in mind. Obviously, he wasn’t going to announce those fights, but he’s assured that the card will have most Mexican fighters, which is the theme of that pay-per-view.
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“We’re going to do 10 [fights], There will be a main, co-main, and obviously this card will be very Mexican-heavy,” Dana White told Pat McAfee. He exclusively mentioned the main and co-main events, which could mean that he may have two big fights in mind or title fights. However, we cannot be too sure of anything unless the UFC CEO announces the final card for the fight like he usually does on social media.
What are your ideas for the UFC 306 card? Do you have any title fight that you think will suit the occasion of the event? Drop your comments below.