UFC 306 Live Blog: Ronaldo Rodriguez vs. Ode Osbourne

This is the UFC 306 live blog for Ronaldo Rodriguez vs. Ode Osbourne, the first main event this Saturday in Las Vegas.

After a failure Contender Series In 2020, at just 21 years old, Rodriguez finally made it to the UFC this year, scoring a submission victory over Denys Bondar in his debut in February. Now 25 years old, “Lazy Boy” is attracting attention as a promising flyweight prospect.

Osbourne has been a UFC fighter since 2020 and has struggled to gain momentum in the promotion, managing just a 4-5 record in his nine fights inside the Octagon. Worse, Osbourne has been defeated in all five of his losses and has currently lost two fights in a row. With a top finish at one of the biggest events of the year, Saturday is a huge opportunity for Osbourne to shake up his stars in the UFC.

Check out the UFC 306 main card opener live blog below.

Before the fight:

Well, the Sphere has certainly provided quite the atmosphere in the prelims so far. Let's see how much crazier it gets there while we wait for Rodriguez and Osbourne, who have arguably been the hottest fighters this week.

This “world” is pretty impressive. The temples and jungle-like setting are a great starting point. We'll see how it goes. It's very strange to invest so much in the presentation of a fight show, but here comes Osbourne in the Octagon.

Rodriguez is now getting out there and taking it all in. It should be good if the preparation is anything to go by. No replays of Muhammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape, please.

Round 1:

Chris Tognoni is refereeing. Osbourne comes back with momentum. His punches are followed by leg kicks before Osbourne catches a kick and takes Rodriguez down with a massive right hook. Rodriguez survives but is thrown into a triangle choke. Osbourne hits a few more elbows to his forehead. Osbourne tries to equalize the pressure but Rodriguez miraculously breaks free. Rodriguez takes cover.

Rodriguez is now landing some good elbow strikes from the top as Osbourne tries to set up another triangle. Osbourne is landing good hammer fists from the bottom. I still have no idea how Rodriguez survived that early onslaught.

The round ends, the position remains the same. Rodriguez fires off some body shots while Osbourne hits him in the head and the horn sounds.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 for Osbourne.

Round 2:

The action continues. Osbourne starts landing kicks again. Rodriguez tries the double leg and gets caught in a tight guillotine, but somehow turns headfirst and gets out. He attacks Osbourne from behind and starts landing punches.

Rodriguez starts hitting Osbourne with punches and elbows as he rolls to the mount. He's close to being stopped. Osbourne turns around but gives up again. This tussle is insane. Rodriguez goes back to the mount. Osbourne turns around to throw Rodriguez on his back again. Rodriguez lands a near 12-6 elbow strike and tries for a rear-naked choke to no avail.

Rodriguez tries to pull Osbourne back, but he can't. Another 12-6 elbow strike from Rodriguez lands without warning. You're not quite legal yet, “Lazy Boy.”

Round 3:

Official decision:

After the fight: