The final UFC PPV card of the year is a strong one from top to bottom so whilst we may have lost some names towards the top of the card, there is still lots to be excited about this Saturday. However, some fans and fighters have questioned the bout order for UFC 310.
One fight in particular has been targeted, that being the featherweight contest between Bryce Mitchell and Kron Gracie. Of course, it’s not their fault that they have been given this position on the card but some did take issue with this for several reasons.
Gracie hasn’t fought since May of 2023 where he returned from a four-year break and suffered his second consecutive loss. Mitchell, on the other hand, is ranked #13 in the division having suffered a devastating knockout loss to Josh Emmett in December last year at UFC 296.
There are plenty of big names and strong match-ups on the prelims that could have taken this slot but none are as fitting as the fight between top 10 contenders which takes place in the very same weight class. Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling will look to halt the undefeated run of Movsar Evloev with both men having a case for a title shot if they get their hand raised.
In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Gracie responded to the criticism of his fight featuring on the PPV portion of the card.
“I think it’s funny because the people always have something to say and it’s interesting that people who would complain about something like that are probably the people who are not even paying for the PPV. They’re streaming it for free, they’re stealing the PPV and they’re the ones complaining about where the fight is. If anything, it’s a free fight for the fans that they get to watch sooner. I don’t see why it’s such a big deal.”
Gracie continued, adding that he doesn’t think the bout order is a decision that the promotion has made in order to diminish certain fighters or match-ups, as has been theorized.
“I think that the placement of the fight is not the most important thing and I don’t care where I’m at on the card, the sooner the better really. I get to go on with my life after that so. Obviously the UFC knows what they’re doing and they’re in the business of making fights and matchmaking so no one does it better than them. I’m sure they didn’t do this on spitefulness, I’m sure this is a business deal and it is what it is.”