Paul Felder hypes up UFC 306 and the insane 'atmo-Sphere' fans can expect this weekend in Las Vegas
09/09/2024 13:58
Never one to back down from a pun, Paul Felder could barely contain his excitement as he previewed the outstanding 'atmo-Sphere' that UFC fans can expect this weekend when the promotion touches down in the new arena.
UFC 306 is now just a few days away, with the excitement levels for the upcoming Mexican-themed PPV building nicely as fans countdown to the two title fights topping the bill and the 'once in a lifetime' show that the promotion is set to put on.
Paul Felder and Din Thomas preview the insane 'atmo-Sphere' at UFC 306
If there's one word that former UFC fighter turned commentator Paul Felder could use to describe what fans are set to witness this weekend at The Sphere in Las Vegas, it's "craziness."
"Craziness; I think we're going to see a spectacle like we've never seen [before]," stated the 'Irish Dragon' on the ESPN MMA post-show following UFC Vegas 97 this past weekend.
"I know that the guys behind the scenes have been working their tales off to make sure that this is going to be something that has never been seen before and will never be seen again… This is a one-time thing that Dana and the crew are doing, they're throwing all the chips into the center of the table with this one and I think it's going to be incredible."
UFC 306 reportedly cost the promotion over $20 million to stage, with the event set to feature a Hollywood-style 'movie' that will be shown in-between fights on the enormous 160,000-square-foot LED screen that wraps around the inner walls of The Sphere.
"I know all of the hard work is going to pay off for all of the production value of it, it's also going to bring the absolute best out of the fighters because when you're in that atmosphere – Atmo-Sphere… You get it?"
That 'movie' will then transition into different 'worlds' for the fights themselves to be staged in, although there are concerns that the athletes could be distracted by the gigantic display.
Yet with the promotion busy rehearsing for the show, coach Din Thomas wholeheartedly agrees with Felder regarding the excitement levels behind the scenes at the UFC, one that's only been experienced a few times in the past few years.
- EXPLAINED: Dana White confirms Canelo will feature at UFC 306 despite going head-to-head with the boxing icon
"He's right about that, bringing this level of excitement because it is in the Sphere – I mean it's kind of like that first show back after COVID. That first show after COVID in Jacksonville, everybody was fighting on, and it was madness – I think the same thing's going to happen here."
Felder and Thomas break down the bantamweight title fight topping the bill
The Sphere might be being promoted as the star of the show, but the headlining attraction of UFC 306 is certainly one to savor with bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley set to take on the surging Merab Dvalishvili.
Whilst the fight is expected to go over four-and-a-half rounds, coach Din Thomas predicts that we'll know the winner after only a few minutes of the opening round.
"We're going to know right away; if Merab is able to get his hands on Sean early then I think that's going to tell the entire story of the fight, and if he can't, that's going to tell us – I can't imagine it going back and forth.
"As sharp as Sean O'Malley is, Merab is more susceptible to getting hit than Aljamain [Sterling] and he's shorter and will have a harder time getting into [range] so Merab to me, this comes down to what Merab is doing in training to deal with that length."
That prediction was echoed by Felder, who noted that after such a chaotic and highly entertaining build-up, the pair of bantamweight superstars will be chomping at the bit to get in there on September 14.
"These guys have been destined to fight each other for a long time, the styles are going to make for such an incredible fight. Merab's a maniac who's got to charge forward through the fire to try to get the takedowns and put the pressure on, Sean O'Malley is a superstar with slick, slick striking."
Felder ultimately noted that "something's got to give" between the two opposing styles, but who will leave The Sphere with the bantamweight title over their shoulder? Find out September 14.
