Alexandre Pantoja denied Kai Asakura’s opportunity to make history by becoming the first UFC champion from Japan.
In the main event of UFC 310 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Pantoja (29-5 MMA, 13-3 UFC) proved to be the superior fighter by choking out former Rizin champion and UFC newcomer Asakura (21-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC). The rear-naked choke submission came at 2:05 of Round 2.
This fight started in a blur. Pantoja quickly closed the distance with strikes, prompting a counter jumping knee from Asakura. The champ responded with a big punch before things slowed down in the clinch. Pantoja took the fight to the ground, but not much took place before Asakura got back to his feet.
The challenger darted in and out with a variety of strikes while Pantoja patiently countered and charged forward with hard punches and kicks when he recognized an opportunity.
Pantoja came out aggressively in Round 2, using strikes to setup a takedown attempt. Denied initially, Pantoja scrambled his way to Asakura’s back and quickly locked in a body triangle.
Soon, the rear-naked choke was slapped on, and the squeeze put Asakura to sleep.
ALEXANDRE PANTOJA SUBMITS KAI ASAKURA IN ROUND 2 💪 #UFC310 pic.twitter.com/JH5vQCW4Fs
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 8, 2024
During his post-fight interview, Pantoja called out retired former champion Demetrious Johnson.
“I’m the GOAT here,” Pantoja told Joe Rogan in the octagon. “If you want to prove you’re the GOAT, come back.”
The result marks Pantoja’s third defense of the UFC flyweight title as he extends his current winning streak to seven. Pantoja claimed the title by winning a split decision over Brandon Moreno and has since defeated Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg, and now Asakura.
For the former Rizin champ, Asakura suffers defeat in a rare debut UFC title opportunity. He entered the fight as a winner of his two final Rizin bouts, which were stoppages of Yuki Motoya and Juan Archuleta.
Full UFC 310 results include:
- Alexandre Pantoja def. Kai Asakura via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:05
- Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
- Ciryl Gane def. Alexander Volkov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Bryce Mitchell def. Kron Gracie via knockout (elbows) – Round 3, 0:39
- Dooho Choi def. Nate Landwehr via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 3:21
- Dominick Reyes def. Anthony Smith via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:46
- Vicente Luque def. Themba Gorimbo via technical submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 1, 0:52
- Movsar Evloev def. Aljamain Sterling via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Bryan Battle def. Randy Brown via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Eryk Anders def. Chris Weidman via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:51
- Joshua Van def. Cody Durden via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)
- Michael Chiesa def. Max Griffin via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 1:56
- Chase Hooper def. Clay Guida via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:41
- Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Lukasz Brzeski via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:51
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.
