UFC 310 BREAKDOWN
Peter Maiorano

UFC 310: Pantoja vs Asakura Breakdown

UFC 310 brings an action-packed card to Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the main and co-main events, along with additional featured bouts.

Main Event: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura

Alexandre Pantoja puts his flyweight title on the line against Kai Asakura, a former Rizin standout making his UFC debut. Pantoja, 34, is on a six-fight winning streak and enters as the reigning, defending champion, having most recently defeated Steve Erceg in May. Asakura comes in at 21-4. This striker-versus-grappler matchup promises fireworks as the champion’s dominant ground game faces off against the challenger’s dynamic striking.

Alexandre Pantoja

  • Record: 27-5
  • Fighting Out Of: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Style: Grappling specialist with aggressive submissions and relentless pressure
  • Recent Fights:
    • Steve Erceg (May 11, 2024) – Win by Decision (unanimous)
    • Brandon Royval (December 16, 2023) – Win by Submission (rear-naked choke)
    • Brandon Moreno (July 8, 2023) – Win by Decision (split)

Kai Asakura

  • Record: 21-4
  • Fighting Out Of: Fukuoka, Japan
  • Style: Explosive striker with diverse finishing techniques
  • Recent Fights:
    • Juan Archuleta (July 30, 2023) – Win by TKO (punches)
    • Yuki Motoya (December 31, 2022) – Win by Decision (unanimous)
    • Kyoji Horiguchi (April 28, 2021) – Loss by KO (punch)

Matchup Analysis

  • Striking: Pantoja uses striking to set up grappling; Asakura brings diverse, powerful striking.
  • Grappling: Pantoja dominates with submissions; Asakura has solid takedown defense but relies on striking.
  • X-Factor: Pantoja’s experience and championship grit vs. Asakura’s unpredictability and debut momentum.

Prediction

Pantoja’s grappling edge and experience in five round fights will give him the advantage in this one. Pantoja wins by decision to retain his flyweight belt.

UFC 310: PANTOJA vs ASAKURA breakdown

Co-Main Event: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Machado Garry

Unbeaten welterweights collide in the co-main event as Shavkat Rakhmonov (18-0) takes on Ian Machado Garry (15-0). Both fighters are dynamic finishers.

Shavkat Rakhmonov

  • Record: 18-0
  • Fighting Out Of: Almaty, Kazakhstan
  • Style: Well-rounded fighter with a perfect finish rate
  • Recent Fights:
    • Stephen Thompson (July 29, 2023) – Win by Submission (rear-naked choke)
    • Geoff Neal (March 4, 2023) – Win by Submission (standing rear-naked choke)
    • Neil Magny (June 25, 2022) – Win by Submission (guillotine choke)

Ian Machado Garry

  • Record: 15-0
  • Fighting Out Of: Dublin, Ireland
  • Style: Precision striker with strong footwork and defense
  • Recent Fights:
    • Michael Page (June 29, 2024) – Win by Decision (unanimous)
    • Geoff Neal (February 17, 2024) – Win by Decision (split)
    • Neil Magny (August 19, 2023) – Win by Decision (unanimous)

Matchup Analysis

  • Striking: Rakhmonov mixes power and precision; Garry excels with technical striking and movement.
  • Grappling: Rakhmonov is a submission specialist; Garry focuses on keeping the fight standing.
  • X-Factor: Rakhmonov’s versatility vs. Garry’s composure in high-pressure scenarios.

Prediction

Rakhmonov’s ability to blend striking and grappling should open up room for Garry to make a mistake. Look for Shavkat to find Garry’s neck later in the fight, leading to a submission victory early in the fourth round.

UFC 310: PANTOJA vs ASAKURA breakdown

Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov

In a rematch of their 2021 encounter, former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane faces Alexander Volkov. Gane won their first meeting decisively, but Volkov enters on a four-fight winning streak.

Ciryl Gane

  • Record: 12-2
  • Fighting Out Of: Paris, France
  • Style: Technical striker with excellent movement for a heavyweight
  • Recent Fights:
    • Serghei Spivac (September 2, 2023) – Win by TKO (punches)
    • Jon Jones (March 4, 2023) – Loss by Submission (guillotine choke)
    • Tai Tuivasa (September 3, 2022) – Win by TKO (body kick and punches)

Alexander Volkov

  • Record: 38-10
  • Fighting Out Of: Moscow, Russia
  • Style: Power striker with strong clinch work
  • Recent Fights:
    • Sergei Pavlovich (June 22, 2024) – Win by Unanimous Decision
    • Tai Tuivasa (September 10, 2023) – Win by Submission (Ezekiel Choke)
    • Alexander Romanov (March 11, 2023) – Win by TKO (Punches)

Matchup Analysis

  • Striking: Gane is versatile and technical; Volkov brings pressure and power.
  • Grappling: Gane has solid defensive grappling; Volkov has strong clinch control.
  • X-Factor: Gane’s ability to manage distance vs. Volkov’s recent aggression and momentum.

Prediction

Gane is the most talented heavyweight on the roster and will remind everyone that on Saturday night. He takes home another unanimous decision victory in this rematch.

UFC 310: PANTOJA vs ASAKURA breakdown

Dominick Reyes vs. Anthony Smith

Dominick Reyes

  • Record: 13-4
  • Fighting Out Of: Victorville, California, USA
  • Style: Powerful striker with strong takedown defense
  • Recent Fights:
    • Dustin Jacoby (June 8, 2024) – Win by TKO (punches)
    • Ryan Spann (November 12, 2022) – Loss by KO (punches)
    • Jiri Prochazka (May 1, 2021) – Loss by KO (spinning back elbow)

Anthony Smith

  • Record: 38-20
  • Fighting Out Of: Omaha, Nebraska, USA
  • Style: Aggressive striker with strong submission game
  • Recent Fights:
    • Roman Dolidze (June 29, 2024) – Loss by Unanimous Decision
    • Vitor Petrino (May 4, 2024) – Win by Submission (Guillotine Choke)
    • Khalil Rountree Jr. (December 9, 2023) – Loss by TKO (Punches)

Matchup Analysis

  • Striking: Reyes relies on his power and accuracy; Smith mixes volume with heavy shots.
  • Grappling: Reyes has solid takedown defense; Smith has dangerous submissions from top and bottom.
  • X-Factor: Reyes’ ability to avoid the clinch vs. Smith’s persistence in creating grappling exchanges.

Prediction

Reyes’ striking power and ability to pick his opponent at range will result in a second-round TKO victory over Smith who leaves himself open at times.

UFC 310: PANTOJA vs ASAKURA breakdown

Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling

Movsar Evloev

  • Record: 18-0
  • Fighting Out Of: Sunzha, Russia
  • Style: Relentless wrestler with strong top control
  • Recent Fights:
    • Arnold Allen (January 20, 2024) – Win by Unanimous Decision
    • Diego Lopes (May 6, 2023) – Win by Unanimous Decision
    • Dan Ige (June 4, 2022) – Win by Unanimous Decision

Aljamain Sterling

  • Record: 24-4
  • Fighting Out Of: Uniondale, New York, USA
  • Style: Versatile grappler with improved striking
  • Recent Fights:
    • Calvin Kattar (April 13, 2024) – Win by Decision (unanimous)
    • Sean O’Malley (August 19, 2023) – Loss by TKO (punches)
    • Henry Cejudo (May 6, 2023) – Win by Decision (split)

Matchup Analysis

  • Striking: Evloev uses striking to set up takedowns; Sterling has sharper, unorthodox striking.
  • Grappling: Evloev excels in positional control; Sterling is a submission artist with dangerous scrambles.
  • X-Factor: Evloev’s relentless pace vs. Sterling’s creativity in transitions.

Prediction

Grappler vs Grappler. Sterling’s striking will give him the slight edge in what could be the closest fight on the card. Sterling takes the split decision victory as a big underdog.

Thank you for reading my UFC 310: PANTOJA vs ASAKURA breakdown. For more UFC insights, visit my Pete’s Sports UFC Page and follow me on Twitter/X. For MMA, Boxing, and other sports articles, check out Pete’s Sports Blog and subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more videos. Image credits: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images.

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