Ian Machado Garry’s late rally was not enough at UFC 310 on Saturday, as he suffered a decision defeat by Shavkat Rakhmonov.
The former training partners both entered Las Vegas unbeaten, but it was Rakhmonov who kept his undefeated streak intact, moving to 19-0. However, Machado Garry (15-1) did become Rakhmonov’s first opponent to go the distance with the Kazakh. The scorecards read 48-47, 48-47, 48-47 as Rakhmonov retained his place as No 1 contender at welterweight, setting up a fight with champion Belal Muhammad.
Rakhmonov had been due to face Muhammad at UFC 310, but the Palestinian-American withdrew from the main event due to a bone infection. That led Machado Garry to step in, with his bout against Rakhmonov named the co-main event at the T-Mobile Arena.
In the main event of UFC 310, Alexandre Pantoja retained his flyweight title against Kai Asakura, submitting the Japanese in round two. Asakura, a former two-time bantamweight champion in Rizin, was signed by the UFC to give Pantoja a fresh challenger – after the Brazilian cleared out the 125lb division. And while Asakura landed numerous signature knees, Pantoja was able to take him down and lock in a rear naked choke, causing Asakura to pass out.
Re-live updates and see all results from UFC 310, below.
UFC 310 LIVE
- Main event: Alexandre Pantoja submits Kai Asakura to retain men’s flyweight title
- Brazilian puts Asakura out cold in round two, after UFC signed Japanese to provide fresh challenge
- Pantoja already beat No 1-ranked Brandon Royval twice and No 2-ranked Brandon Moreno thrice
- Co-main event: Shavkat Rakhmonov beats Ian Machado Garry to remain No 1 contender at welterweight
- Rakhmonov stays unbeaten with unanimous-decision victory over Ireland’s Garry, who loses for first time
UFC 310: Alexandre Pantoja def. Kai Asakura
06:45 , Alex Pattle
UFC 310: Alexandre Pantoja def. Kai Asakura
06:30 , Alex Pattle
UFC 310: Alexandre Pantoja def. Kai Asakura
06:24 , Alex PattlePantoja is just so good. Asakura had his moments, landing several signature knees, but it wasn’t enough. Pantoja walked through him, in the end. He put the Japanese out cold. Welcome to the UFC, Kai.
UFC 310: Alexandre Pantoja def. Kai Asakura
06:22 , Alex Pattle
UFC 310: Alexandre Pantoja vs Kai Asakura
06:10 , Alex PattleRound two
Pantoja walks through a hook to get ahold of Asakura. He drags down the Japanese, secures a body triangle with his legs, and works on a rear naked choke...
And Asakura goes out!! It’s all over!!
Alexandre Pantoja def. Kai Asakura via second-round submission (rear naked choke, 2:05)
UFC 310: Alexandre Pantoja vs Kai Asakura
06:08 , Alex PattleRound one
A fast start! Pantoja with a low kick, then a knee, then a takedown attempt! Asakura defends well, but he’s tagged by a hard punch in the next scramble, and Pantoja gets to work on a clinch!
Breathless beginning to this one. Pantoja gets Asakura down, landing in the challenger’s guard. Asakura stays calm and is eventually able to stand.
Hard low kicks by Asakura, and a hard hook upstairs. Great knee to the body – one of his signature strikes. Still Pantoja is stalking forward. Jumping knee by Asakura, though it didn’t seem to fully land.
Decent left hook by Pantoja. Asakura is switching stances; Pantoja is staying orthodox. Step-in left hook by Asakura, who is all smiles in there.
Pantoja catches a head kick and launches a body kick. Harsh low kick by the champ now. Pantoja with a slick knee to the face, as Asakura defends a takedown! Another body kick by Pantoja.
Both fighters land punches in a frenzies exchange, but overall, Pantoja – statistically – is clearly outlanding Asakura.
UFC 310: Alexandre Pantoja vs Kai Asakura
05:53 , Alex PattleOnto the main event! Alexandre Pantoja defends his flyweight title against Kai Asakura – a former two-time bantamweight champion in Rizin, who is making his UFC debut here.
A strange situation then, but one brought about by Pantoja’s dominance over the existing flyweight elite in the UFC; the Brazilian needed a new challenger.
Japan’s Asakura has fought at flyweight before, but not for seven years. And there’s no doubt that Pantoja is the best that the 125lb division has to offer.
UFC 310: Ian Machado Garry vs Shavkat Rakhmonov
05:42 , Alex PattleShavkat Rakhmonov def. Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47).
The correct score. Rakhmonov stays unbeaten.
And Indy Sport’s prediction that Garry would be the first person to avoid a finish by Shavkat, ultimately losing on points? Also correct, phew.
Belal Muhammad enters the cage to face off with Rakhmonov, his next challenger – whom he was originally due to face tonight, before suffering a bone infection.
UFC 310: Ian Machado Garry vs Shavkat Rakhmonov
05:36 , Alex PattleRound five
Garry’s corner tells him he needs a finish. And early in this final round, Garry ends up taking Rakhmonov’s back, with a body triangle!
Garry is working on a rear naked choke... Wouldn’t it be ironic if he submitted Rakhmonov, after the Kazakh boasted about submitting the Irishman in their old sparring sessions?
Garry is SO close to finishing the choke... Rakhmonov is tucking his chin, turning it into more of a crank...
WOW! Eventually Rakhmonov strips Garry’s weakening grip, before twisting out and getting back to Garry’s guard!
Not too much happens there, and finally the pair stand. Forty-five seconds left...
And we’ll go to the judges’ scorecards.
UFC 310: Ian Machado Garry vs Shavkat Rakhmonov
05:31 , Alex PattleRound four
Unusual moment: Garry had to change shorts before this round, because his pair got torn against the cage! He insisted he wouldn’t rush to change between rounds, so they gave him a bit of extra time.
Back under way. Rakhmonov takes the centre of the ring. More leg kicks from Garry. This is better from the Irishman, but eventually Rakhmonov holds him against the fence.
The fighters move back into space, and Rakhmonov shoots a double-leg takedown... which he gets! He ends up in Garry’s guard, throwing hammer fists whenever he can.
Garry gives up his back, but he’s able to shake off Shavkat! A fun grappling exchange ensues, with both guys trying submissions – a rear naked choke by Rakhmonov, a guillotine by Garry. None of those efforts are successful, though.
Eventually they end up back in the open, where Shavkat misses with a spinning back fist, and Garry jumps a guillotine... but Rakhmonov slips out! He’s in Garry’s guard again. Good strikes from the Irishman from below.
I’d say 3-1 to Rakhmonov after four rounds.
UFC 310: Ian Machado Garry vs Shavkat Rakhmonov
05:24 , Alex PattleRound three
Garry has defended well for the most part, but he needs to get more offence going. Shavkat has controlled much of the action, and has landed the more eye-catching strikes.
Rakhmonov just about lands a head kick. Garry kicks low repeatedly. Rakhmonov lands a short right hook, but Garry replies with one of his own.
The fighters are opening up a bit more now. Another clinch along the fence, as the welterweights trade the dominant position back and forth.
Eventually, referee Marc Goddard separates the fighters. Garry with a grazing head kick. More oblique kicks from the Irishman. Both guys land jabs simultaneously. Rakhmonov juuuuuust misses with a wheel kick! Nice cross by Shavkat before the buzzer.
A closer round, but I’d just lean towards Rakhmonov, for a possible 3-0 lead.
UFC 310: Ian Machado Garry vs Shavkat Rakhmonov
05:18 , Alex PattleBruce Buffer with the fighter introductions. Five rounds scheduled here. And off we go.
Round one
Both men stand orthodox. Rakhmonov presses forward. There aren’t many strikes thrown before Rakhmonov starts a clinch. He has Garry against the fence, and the Irishman is defending well so far.
Rakhmonov with intermittent knees. He nearly trips Garry, who does well to stand. More knees from Rakhmonov. Now Garry almost trips the Kazakh!
Garry eventually gets out of the clinch and kicks low. Hard right cross by Rakhmonov!! Garry sticks his tongue out, but that jolted his head back!
The pair clinch again in the final 20 seconds of the round, which should be scored for Shavkat.
Round two
Garry with some oblique kicks and other low kicks. Decent jab, too. Now Rakhmonov with a stinging jab of his own.
Another fine jab by Rakhmonov, and a low kick by Garry. Neither man is overly committing, though. It’s all been quite chess-like. More jabs and low kicks.
A couple more nice crosses by Shavkat, and this time Garry starts a clinch, holding the Kazakh against the cage wall. Rakhmonov soon reverses the position.
Eventually the pair separate. Rakhmonov lands a spinning back fist! That right side of Garry’s face is already a bit marked up. A left hook just about gets through, too.
UFC 310: Ian Machado Garry vs Shavkat Rakhmonov
05:01 , Alex PattleTime for the co-main event, the fight which the majority of fans are most excited for tonight...
Ian Machado Garry (15-0, 8 stoppages) faces Shavkat Rakhmonov (18-0, 18 stoppages).
Both are unbeaten, and the winner will be next for welterweight champion Belal Muhammad.
Rakhmonov, 30, was actually due to challenge Muhammad tonight, but the champ withdrew due to a bone infection.
So, Machado Garry, 30, steps in to face the Kazakh – one of his former sparring partners, who submitted Machado Garry back in the day.
Ireland’s Machado Garry has former lightweight king Charles Oliveira in his corner.
Muhammad is watching this one from ringside.
UFC 310: Ciryl Gane vs Alexander Volkov 2
04:46 , Alex PattleRound two
OH! Volkov with a clean spinning back fist! Wow. Gane seemed to be perturbed by it, but not actually rocked...
Volkov’s striking is so crisp right now. For the second or third time tonight, he lands a high kick followed by a jab – a lovely combination.
Gane with a harsh right hand upstairs now, though. He then targets the body. Decent uppercut to the head, and a good cross!
Volkov briefly appears to be in trouble... He’s taken down, and Gane is in side control. He tries a Von Flue choke, but lets go. Volkov is able to escape and stand late in the round.
Really close round.
Round three
This one could go either way.
Volkov scores a single-leg takedown, but Gane shrimps out immediately to take the back. Volkov still has the leg, though, so Gane doesn’t fully have the back...
Gane tries a Kimura, but Volkov is defending well. Gane needs to let go; he’s not getting this submission, and the position isn’t advancing at all.
He does let go, but he doesn’t explode out, so Volkov is in control now, throwing light strikes.
We’ll go to the scorecards, where Volkov should get the nod.
Ciryl Gane def. Alexander Volkov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
It’s like Sterling vs Evloev again, wow. A pretty clear 29-28 that has gone the wrong way. Lots of boos in Vegas.
Gane tells Joe Rogan he’s broken some toes.
UFC 310: Ciryl Gane vs Alexander Volkov 2
04:30 , Alex PattleTo the heavyweight division now, where former interim champion Ciryl Gane faces Alexander Volkov, whom he outpointed in 2021.
The winner of this one could be next for reigning interim champ Tom Aspinall, unless the Briton is allowed a chance to unify the belts with Jon Jones. Of course, if Jones avoids Aspinall, the latter will surely be elevated to undisputed champion – meaning Gane or Volkov could even get a shot at the main title next.
Here we go.
Round one
Volkov catches a kick and chases Gane to the mat. Gane springs back up, but Volkov has a back body lock and drags the Frenchman down again.
Volkov moves into side control, but he can’t keep Gane down. “Bon Gamin” stands and holds Volkov against the fence, but the Russian eventually breaks free.
Back into the centre of the ring, where Gane initiates a takedown this time! He lifts and dumps Volkov. A grappling exchange ensues, and Gane tries a heel hook – which he famously failed to complete against Francis Ngannou.
Likewise, Volkov escapes. The heavyweights stand and trade in the centre of the cage. Volkov eats a knee to the body but takes down Gane, but Gane jumps a guillotine at the same time... It looks to be in tight, but Volkov survives until the buzzer!
UFC 310: Bryce Mitchell vs Kron Gracie
04:08 , Alex PattleRound one
Gracie actually has Nate Diaz in his corner tonight.
Kicks from both fighters; Mitchell’s a little harder. Gracie, in his trademark fashion, jumps and pulls guard from a clinch. That didn’t take long.
Mitchell lands in half-guard and is happy to stay there. He eventually ends up in Gracie’s guard, and all Gracie does is hold Mitchell.
A pretty uneventful round, as feared. Boos in Las Vegas.
Round two
Gracie is losing the striking exchanges, and he looks as though he really doesn’t look getting hit, so he jumps guard again.
Mitchell works in Gracie’s guard but eventually stands and lets him back up. Aaaaaaand Gracie jumps guard again...
Fans told the UFC that this would be an awful fight, and that it was a joke to have it on the main card; and it’s been exactly both of those things. Sterling vs Evloev, which should have been on the main card, was an interesting bout.
Gracie fails an armbar and a triangle.
Round three
OH! Gracie jumps guard YET AGAIN, but as soon as they land on the mat, Mitchell finishes Gracies with two vicious elbows!
Bryce Mitchell def. Kron Gracie via third-round KO (elbows, 0:39)
UFC 310: Bryce Mitchell vs Kron Gracie
03:56 , Alex PattleStaying in the featherweight division, it’s Bryce Mitchell vs Kron Gracie.
Fans have questioned why this fight is on the main card, and why Aljamain Sterling vs Movsar Evloev wasn’t.
Mitchell and Gracie are both elite grapplers (the latter coming from the famous Gracie jiu-jitsu family), but neither has impressed recently.
Anyway. Will we see two grapplers turn into strikers in this bout, as often happens?
Mitchell, who said this week he doesn’t believe in seatbelts, sprints to the ring draped in an American flag – and to the sound of “Cotton Eye Joe”.
UFC 310: Nate Landwehr vs Dooho Choi
03:38 , Alex PattleRound three
Landwehr tries to do what he does best: brawl. But he throws himself off-balance, and Choi chases him to the mat.
Choi has a crucifix and is landing punches and elbows. He pilessssss on those shots, and eventually the referee steps in! There’s the TKO!
Dooho Choi def. Nate Landwehr via third-round TKO (ground strikes, 3:21)
UFC 310: Nate Landwehr vs Dooho Choi
03:26 , Alex PattleOnto the UFC 310 main card! A featherweight banger, potentially, with this first match-up: Nate Landwehr vs Dooho Choi.
Round one
Landwehr runs across the ring immediately. Choi with a brilliant uppercut. Now a left hook that drops Landwehr to a knee. Another great uppercut. Such clean work by Choi so far, and Landwehr is barely throwing.
Landwehr tries a clinch, but Choi outmanoeuvres him, trips him, and takes the back. He drags down Landwehr, but the American eventually stands and gets free.
More success for Choi on the feet. He’s boxing so crisply tonight.
Round two
Nice spinning back elbow by Landwehr, but Choi’s low kicks are working nicely, too.
Lovely throw by Choi, who lands in side control. He steps into mount and thinks about an arm-triangle choke, but opts against it.
Choi takes the back. He controls Landwehr for a while, until the American explodes free. But back on the feet, in the clinch, Choi trips Landwehr again.
UFC 310: Dominick Reyes def. Anthony Smith
02:59 , Alex PattleHere’s what Smith told the UFC about his late friend and coach Scott Morton this week:
“Him and I have trained every day or twice a day, damn near on average, six days a week since I was 17 years old. And he was my coach, but that was one of the smaller parts of what he was. That guy was my best friend. He was my mentor, older brother, father figure.”
Now he tells Joe Rogan: “I don’t even give a f*** about the fight. This guy was my best friend. I thought I could push it down, but I couldn’t even control it walking out here. I don’t know how many times I can do this without him.”
Smith adds that it’s “probably” his final fight.
UFC 310 LIVE: Anthony Smith vs Dominick Reyes
02:51 , Alex PattleRound one
Smith grabs a single-leg after a feeling-out period on the feet, but Reyes is able to slip free.
Decent overhand right for Smith, then we have a brief pause in the action due to an accidental eye poke on Reyes.
Back under way. Both men are landing straight punches. Lead uppercut by Reyes, from a southpaw stance.
Smith walks onto a series of jabs, and Reyes adds some crosses now. Smith felt those.
Trio of stiff jabs by Reyes now, and Smith sticks his tongue out at his fellow American.
Round two
Smith goes for a single-leg, but Reyes defends with some nasty elbows! It’s already 42-0 to Reyes in significant strikes in this round!
Smith is kneeling on the mat now, still eating elbows and punches. Reyes moves into half-guard, where he lands more strikes.
Reyes has now reached 127 significant strikes – I believe in the fight, rather than this round.
And referee Marc Goddard finally steps in. Reyes gets the TKO.
Dominick Reyes def. Anthony Smith via second-round TKO (ground strikes, 4:46)
UFC 310 LIVE: Anthony Smith vs Dominick Reyes
02:32 , Alex PattleTo the light-heavyweight division now, where Anthony Smith faces Dominick Reyes.
This is a meeting of former title challengers; in 2019, Smith was easily outpointed by then-champion Jon Jones, who won an extremely controversial decision against Reyes in 2020.
Smith is fighting despite the passing of his coach and close friend Scott Morton last month. Morton died of a heart attack at just 47 years old.
Smith looks incredibly emotional.
UFC 310 LIVE: Vicente Luque vs Themba Gorimbo
02:16 , Alex PattleNext up, Vicente Luque vs Themba Gorimbo at welterweight.
Gorimbo steps in for UFC legend Nick Diaz, who was unable to make it through his training camp.
Round one
OH! Luque drops Gorimbo early with a short right hook, then snatches an anaconda choke! He puts Gorimbo OUT COLD!
Vicente Luque def. Themba Gorimbo via first-round submission (anaconda choke, 0:52)
UFC 310 LIVE: Aljamain Sterling vs Movsar Evloev
02:01 , Alex PattleRound three
This could be the deciding round. Evloev misses with a spinning back fist, and Sterling uses his momentum against him, timing a body-lock takedown to perfection.
Evloev stands against the fence, but he’s dumped to the mat. Once again the Russian gets back to his feet, but he’s trapped against the cage wall.
He manages to roll free, and in the ensuing scramble, Evloev ends up in Sterling’s guard! Sterling stands but is dragged down, and Evloev is working on taking the back...
One minute for Sterling to survive a submission, and he may well take this fight – although it has been close throughout... We’ll go to the scorecards.
Movsar Evloev def. Aljamain Sterling via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Wow. Wrong way, in my opinion. That was a fairly clear 29-28 to Sterling.
UFC 310 LIVE: Aljamain Sterling vs Movsar Evloev
01:54 , Alex PattleSterling has Merab Dvalishvili, the men’s bantamweight champion, in his corner. The pair are longtime teammates, and Dvalishvili took the title from Sean O’Malley in September, a year after Sterling lost the belt to O’Malley.
Round two
Sterling with a well-timed takedown early in round two! He has Evloev against the fence, but Evloev is able to reverse the position. He has a crucifix for now... then takes the back!
What a rollercoaster this fight has been already. Such high-level grappling. Sterling explodes free, and the featherweights are standing!
A wild striking exchange ensues. Both men are winging punches. Evloev catches a kick and takes down Sterling, landing in half-guard.
Again the tide turns, with Sterling able to get onto his knees and drive Evloev to the fence.
UFC 310 LIVE: Aljamain Sterling vs Movsar Evloev
01:49 , Alex PattleRound one
Lots of activity from Sterling early on, while Evloev looks to make reads. Sterling using kicks to keep things at the range he wants for now, then a decent right cross.
Now a takedown! The Jamaican-American juuuuust about gets Evloev to the mat, moving from a single-leg to a rear body lock.
Evloev is able to crawl to the fence, but Sterling slowly works on getting his leg hooks in, and he does. He’s trying to turn them into a body triangle now, with Evloev seated on the mat.
Evloev is eventually able to strip Sterling’s hooks and stand, but he’s dumped to the mat by the “Funkmaster”!
Evloev rallies well, though, and now he’s in charge of this grappling exchange... He ends the round on top, but Sterling took that round.
A fascinating final minute, though, with Evloev showing his own wrestling prowess.
UFC 310 LIVE: Aljamain Sterling vs Movsar Evloev
01:42 , Alex PattleNext up, a potential No 1 contender’s fight at featherweight. It’s criminal that this one is on the prelims.
Sterling, a former bantamweight champion, won his 145lb debut by outpointing Calvin Kattar in April.
Now he faces a stern test in the unbeaten Evloev, who is 18-0 and on the periphery of the title picture.
Can Sterling force his way past the Russian and into the conversation for a title shot? Let’s find out.
UFC 310 LIVE: Bryan Battle def. Randy Brown
01:35 , Alex PattleBryan Battle def. Randy Brown via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).
Boos for Battle, after his four-pound miss at yesterday’s weigh-in. But 29-28 in his favour felt the right score.
“Who are you booing?” he asks the crowd. “I know all these sick, twisted degenerates in Vegas aren’t booing the ‘Butcher’. I just put my heart out there for you.”
UFC 310 LIVE: Randy Brown vs Bryan Battle
01:31 , Alex PattleRound two
Brown lands a flying knee, then the welterweights clinch. Both land good knees from there.
A long spell is spent grappling against the fence. Brown eventually disengages, but after missing an uppercut, he grapples again.
Brown backs off once more, and he eats a big knee while ducking his head in the next striking exchange! We’re soon back to more wrestling along the cage wall, with Battle in control for now.
But after they separate, Brown unloads body shots on Battle! Before long, though, the fighters are clinching against the fence yet again.
Statistically, Battle is massively outlanding Brown in the clinch.
Round three
Brown needs to keep this fight at range. Some good kicks from him early in this final round. But Battle marches through that offence to clinch Brown against the fence.
Brown with a trip, but Battle is quickly back to his feet. Brown tries to counter with a standing guillotine, but it’s not there for him.
More grappling along the cage wall, to the crowd’s dismay. When the fighters eventually move into the open, Brown lands a heavy left hook, before Battle responds with knees to the body.
Aaaaaand back to fence grappling, to the sound of boos. That’s where the fight ends, as the clock runs down.
UFC 310 LIVE: Randy Brown vs Bryan Battle
01:19 , Alex PattleThe first regular prelim of the night is upon us. Randy Brown faces Bryan Battle at welterweight, although Battle came in 4lb overweight yesterday.
Round one
Brown with some fairly sharp punching early, with Battle happy to cover up and slowly edge forward. Battle eventually shoots for a takedown against the fence, but he’s denied.
Now Battle starts to open up more. He’s throwing a fair few front kicks to the body. Still, Brown is a step ahead, and Battle opts to grapple again.
He gets a body lock and drives Brown to the fence, where Brown gets an overhook and is eventually able to throw Battle!
A scramble ensues, and we’re quickly back to a striking exchange. Late in the round, Battle is again denied a takedown against the fence, and Brown secures a trip!
He gets into crucifix position and fires off a few elbows before the buzzer sounds. Solid first round for Brown.
UFC 310 LIVE: Eryk Anders def. Chris Weidman
00:54 , Alex PattleEryk Anders gets a big win over Chris Weidman, stopping the former middleweight champion in round two!
Anders seals the TKO with a prolonged barrage of hammer fists, punches and elbows. There were just nine seconds left in the round.
The fight took place at a 195lb catchweight, three weeks after their middleweight bout fell through due to Anders being ill.
UFC 310 LIVE: Ian Machado Garry ‘will get finished’ if he can’t avoid this weapon
Saturday 7 December 2024 23:47 , Alex PattleFormer UFC champion Michael Bisping has issued a stark warning to Ian Machado Garry ahead of tonight’s co-main event...
Ian Garry ‘will get finished’ by Shavkat Rakhmonov if he can’t avoid key weapon
UFC 310: Shavkat Rakhmonov submitted Ian Machado Garry in sparring rounds
Saturday 7 December 2024 23:30 , Alex PattleA key narrative heading into UFC 310 has been Rakhmonov and Machado Garry’s past as sparring partners.
Rakhmonov claimed this week that he submitted the Irishman back in the day, and Machado Garry admitted as much later in the week.
More here:
Shavkat Rakhmonov clears up Ian Garry sparring rumours with blunt claim
UFC 310 LIVE: Alexandra Pantoja a top-10 P4P fighter?
Saturday 7 December 2024 22:45 , Alex PattleOkay, okay... so. Alexandra Pantoja is not in The Independent’s pound-for-pound UFC top 10.
However, the more I think about his resume, the more I regret not including him up to this point.
During and before his run as UFC flyweight champion, he’s notched three wins over ex-title holder Brandon Moreno, and two over No 1-ranked Brandon Royval.
In fact, the Brazilian is 9-0 against the division’s current top 10 (he’s not included in that 10, as champion). The only one he hasn’t beaten is the only one he hasn’t fought: Amir Albazi, who lost to Moreno recently.
Furthermore, the 33-year-old is always in exciting fights.
If he beats Kai Asakura tonight, Pantoja will enter our list. That’s a promise.
UFC 310: All fights – main card and prelims
Saturday 7 December 2024 22:15 , Alex PattleSubject to very late changes...
Main card
Alexandre Pantoja (C) vs Kai Asakura (men’s flyweight title)
Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Ian Machado Garry (welterweight, five rounds)
Ciryl Gane vs Alexander Volkov 2 (heavyweight)
Bryce Mitchell vs Kron Gracie (featherweight)
Nate Landwehr vs Dooho Choi (featherweight)
Prelims
Dominick Reyes vs Anthony Smith (light-heavyweight)
Vicente Luque vs Themba Gorimbo (welterweight)
Movsar Evloev vs Aljamain Sterling (featherweight)
Randy Brown vs Bryan Battle (welterweight)
Early prelims
Chris Weidman vs Eryk Anders (catchweight, 195lb)
Cody Durden vs Joshua Van (flyweight)
Michael Chiesa vs Max Griffin (welterweight)
Clay Guida vs Chase Hooper (lightweight)
Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Lukasz Brzeski (heavyweight)
UFC 310 card in full as Kai Asakura fights Alexandre Pantoja
UFC 310 LIVE: Welcome!
Saturday 7 December 2024 21:29 , Alex PattleUFC 310 culminates in two huge fights tonight, as Shavkat Rakhmonov faces Ian Machado Garry before Alexandre Pantoja defends his flyweight belt against Kai Asakura.
Rakhmonov was due to challenge welterweight champion Belal Muhammad here, but the latter withdrew due to a bone infection, leading Machado Garry to step in. The unbeaten Irishman faces the unbeaten Kazakh – one of his former training partners – in a highly-anticipated bout, which will establish a No 1 contender at 170lb.
Then, the UFC 310 main event pits Pantoja against Asakura, who is challenging for gold in his promotional debut. Asakura previously reigned as Rizin’s bantamweight champion, and that pedigree sees him hit the ground running in the UFC.
Elsewhere on the card, former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane faces Alexander Volkov in a rematch, while Aljamain Sterling and Chris Weidman are the other ex-title holders to feature in Las Vegas.
Follow live updates and results from the UFC 310 main card and prelims, right here.
