Finally, UFC 306 is here. And you know what that means: it’s Sphere time.

Not since “Fight Island” has the UFC built so much expectation around the role of venue and presentation in one of its events. That’s been a bit of a disappointment. (No Octagon on the beach. No palm trees. Not even an actual island.) But this one? A UFC event inside the immersive experience of Las Vegas’ Sphere? It promises to be something different, by any means necessary.

We’ll have to wait until Saturday to find out exactly what that means, but there’s plenty to get excited about on this fight card. But maybe we shouldn’t get too caught up in the mind-bending marketing ploy of a fight celebrating Mexican Independence Day… in Las Vegas… sponsored by Saudi Arabia.

Here’s what’s on the main card of UFC 306:

Ronaldo Rodriguez vs Ode Osbourne

Who are they: Rodriguez is still relatively new to the UFC, but he has six fights under his belt, with the last three coming inside the distance. He also has the nickname “Lazy Boy,” so that’s pretty memorable. Osbourne is staring at the dreaded and often decisive three-fight losing streak if he can’t fight his way to victory here.

Why it’s important: Rodriguez, who hails from Mexico, is a fighter on a winning streak. Now, at this event celebrating Mexican Independence Day, he faces an opponent who is on a losing streak. Here, a cynical man might suggest that this is a fight designed to give Mexico a victory and get the crowd fired up at the start of the pay-per-view. Osbourne is better than his recent record suggests, but it’s probably a win-or-get-fire situation.

Daniel Zellhuber vs Esteban Ribovics

Who are they: A classic rivalry between Mexico and Argentina in this lightweight bout. Zellhuber hasn’t lost since his UFC debut. And hey, that can happen to anyone, because Octagon nerves are a real thing. Ribovics suffered the same fate in his first UFC fight. Like Zellhuber, it’s the only loss of his pro career.

Why it’s important: These guys are in similar positions in their respective careers. Just a bunch of under-30 lightweights trying to find their way in arguably the toughest division in the entire sport. Throwing them in there together seems like a test to see who has the most promise at this point.

Brian Ortega vs Diego Lopes

Who are they: Ortega is the former title contender trying to maintain his position as one of the top guys in the featherweight division by fending off these young hitters. Lopes is the emo-haired guy who continues to overachieve in increasingly tough fights.

Why it’s important: Every time Lopes fights and wins in the UFC, there’s a sense of, “Wait a minute, this guy might be good.” Ortega is a significant step up from the competition he’s faced thus far, making this the toughest test yet for that particular hypothesis. If Lopes wins this one, he’ll likely be in the conversation for a title shot. If he doesn’t, fans might just decide he’s a fun guy to have around at 145.

Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko

Who are they: Grasso is the female flyweight champion. Shevchenko is the woman she defeated to claim the title in the first place. That was a surprise surprise in itself. They fought again after that and ended in a draw. Now, Shevchenko enters a UFC fight as an underdog for the first time since 2016.

Why it’s important: That shiny gold belt, for starters. But this is also the trilogy fight where Grasso can finally dispel the suggestion that she may have been lucky once and doesn’t really deserve to be called champion. For Shevchenko, it’s a chance to show that her time at the top isn’t over. Or is it?

Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili

Who are they: O’Malley is the men’s bantamweight champion. He’s also the most popular fighter on this card and the driving force behind ticket and pay-per-view sales. Dvalishvili is a legitimately dangerous challenger for him. He’s won 10 fights in a row and has never looked even slightly out of breath. He’s one of those fighters whose engine is just running at a higher speed — and he knows how to use that as a weapon in itself.

Why it’s important: O’Malley’s popularity has helped turn the 135-pound title into big business for the UFC. Here, he faces a test of sorts he hasn’t really had to face yet. Dvalishvili is the kind of wrestler who gets in your face constantly, wearing you down with pace and pressure. O’Malley would much rather keep him at a safe distance, where he can use his reach and slick striking to great effect. Now the only question is who gets his way.