Las Vegas, AP - In a thrilling UFC event on Saturday night, Alexandre Pantoja showcased his dominance in the flyweight division by successfully defending his title against Japanese fighter Kai Asakura. Pantoja secured a technical submission victory over Asakura with a rear naked choke, forcing his opponent to tap out at the 2:05 mark of the second round.
Pantoja, with a record of 29-5, solidified his status as one of the greatest flyweights in UFC history with this win, marking his third successful title defense since claiming the championship with a split decision victory over Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 on July 8, 2023.
Despite Asakura's impressive debut in the UFC, Pantoja's superior skills on the mat proved too much for the Japanese fighter. Pantoja, who closed as a -275 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook, expressed his confidence in his abilities, stating, 'This is the UFC level, so high. You think some Japanese (fighter) going to come here and take my belt? No!'
UFC President Dana White praised Pantoja's performance, highlighting his dominance in the fight and acknowledging the significance of the victory over a talented opponent like Asakura.
In other notable matchups, Shavkat Rakhmonov defeated Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision in the co-main event, while Ciryl Gane secured a split decision victory over Alexander Volkov in a heavyweight bout.
Featherweight Bryce Mitchell delivered an impressive performance by stopping Kron Gracie in the third round, and underdog Dooho Choi emerged victorious with a stoppage win over Nate Landwehr.
Former champions Aljamain Sterling and Chris Weidman also competed on the card, with Sterling losing to Movsar Evloev and Weidman falling to Eryk Anders by TKO.
The event showcased a mix of thrilling matchups and standout performances, solidifying the fighters' positions in their respective divisions and setting the stage for potential future bouts and rematches.
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