Pantoja submits Asakura to retain flyweight title at UFC 310
Alexandre Pantoja defeated Kai Asakura in the main event of UFC 310 on Sunday afternoon (AEDT), submitting the former Rizin bantamweight champion in the second round to defend his flyweight title in Las Vegas.
UFC bookmakers had Pantoja a $1.35 favourite to extend his title run against Asakura, who was making his debut in the promotion after a successful career in Japan.
It was a very competitive opening round, with both men landing significant strikes including an early knee from Asakura, but in the second round, the Brazilian lived up to his UFC odds.
Pantoja scrambled brilliantly to get the back of Asakura early in the second, forcing him to the mat and working his way into a choke.
The Japanese fighter did well to repel Pantoja’s attempts initially, but the flyweight champion was too ruthless, eventually getting into a rear naked choke and finishing him.
“This the UFC level,” Pantoja said after the fight.
“It’s so high.
“This is my town, this is my city.
“He thinks some Japanese can come here and take my belt? No.”
Earlier in the evening, Anthony Smith had announced his potential retirement following a loss on the preliminary card to Dominick Reyes.
Movsar Evloev also extended his unbeaten run to nine-in-a-row in the UFC in a much-anticipated clash with Aljamain Sterling in the prelims.
In main card action, Ciryl Gane gained a split decision win over Alexander Volkov, despite having been a $1.27 favourite to win with the top online bookmakers pre-fight.
Shavkat Rakhmonov also beat Ian Machado Garry on the judges’ cards, then had a face off with Belal Muhammad, who he was meant to be fighting at UFC 310 before the welterweight champion got injured.
The pair will fight in 2025 instead, with Rakhmonov saying, “We’re going to meet soon. Belal, let’s face off. Get ready, no more injuries, we’ll find out who is the better man.”
More fight news for 2025 was announced as well, with Dricus du Plessis vs Sean Strickland happening in Sydney at UFC 312 next February.
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