Tag: Alexandre Pantoja

What’s Next After UFC 309? Full Confirmed UFC 310 Main Card For T-Mobile Arena On Dec. 7

UFC 309 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 310 in Las Vegas. The promotion was in New York City last week, where the iconic Madison Square Garden played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest major card in “The Big […]

UFC 309 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 310 in Las Vegas.

The promotion was in New York City last week, where the iconic Madison Square Garden played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest major card in “The Big Apple.” Of note were headline wins for Jon Jones and Charles Oliveira, as well as important victories for Bo Nickal, Viviane Araújo, and Mauricio Ruffy.

While the aftermath of the Nov. 16 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the heavyweight title picture to the flyweight championship conversation.

At UFC 310, set for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Dec. 7, reigning kingpin Alexandre Pantoja will compete for the second time this year, once again in defense of his 125-pound gold. After following his crowning against Brandon Moreno with retentions opposite Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg, “The Cannibal” will next face a newcomer in the form of ex-Rizin champion Kai Asakura.

Stakes will also be high in the co-headliner, as Shavkat Rakhmonov looks to defend his spot as next in line for a shot at Belal Muhammad following the welterweight titleholder’s withdrawal due to injury. The replacement fight will see “Nomad” face a fellow undefeated contender in Ireland’s Ian Garry.

Gane, Mitchell, Landwehr Set The Stage For High-Profile Headliners At UFC 310

Before Pantoja defends his belt and Rakhmonov meets the challenge of “The Future,” a number of other notable names will take to the Octagon looking to make the most of their position on the major UFC 310 card.

That includes former interim heavyweight titleholder Ciryl Gane. Having not competed since knocking out Serghei Spivac in Paris last year, the Frenchman will return after 15 months to once again collide with Alexander Volkov. “Drago” finds himself with a chance for redemption against “Bon Gamin” after rising to #3 in the division courtesy of his triumph over Sergei Pavlovich in Saudi Arabia this past June.

Prior to that, ranked featherweight Bryce Mitchell will also get his sole outing of 2024 and first fight since being brutally slept by Josh Emmett at last year’s final pay-per-view. To bounce back, “Thug Nasty” is tasked with defending his spot on the ladder opposite a fellow grappling specialist in Kron Gracie. The 36-year-old returned from a near-four-year layoff in May 2023 but disappointed in defeat versus Charles Jourdain. After another lengthy layoff, he’ll hope to record his first win since 2019 at the expense of Mitchell.

And opening the UFC 310 main card will be a sure-fire firefight between Nate Landwehr and Dooho Choi. “The Train” will enter the event off the back of a KO victory over Jamall Emmers this past March, while “The Korean Superboy” — who sits as part of the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing owing to his 2016 war with Cub Swanson — rebounded from a four-fight winless run by stopping Bill Algeo in July for his first triumph in eight years.

Those pairings have gotten the nod to feature on the main card over the crucial featherweight contest between the #5-ranked Movsar Evloev and former bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling, which is currently slated to be the penultimate prelim.

See below for the full UFC 310 card, as it stands.

Main Card:

  • Flyweight Championship Main Event: Alexandre Pantoja (C) vs. Kai Asakura
  • Welterweight Co-Main Event: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry
  • Heavyweight: Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
  • Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Kron Gracie
  • Featherweight: Nate Landwehr vs. Dooho Choi

Preliminary Card:

  • Welterweight: Vicente Luque vs. Themba Gorimbo
  • Featherweight: Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling
  • Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes
  • Welterweight: Randy Brown vs. Bryan Battle

Early Preliminary Card:

  • Heavyweight: Tallison Teixeira vs. ?ukasz Brzeski
  • Flyweight: Cody Durden vs. Joshua Van
  • Lightweight: Clay Guida vs. Chase Hooper
  • Welterweight: Michael Chiesa vs. Max Griffin
  • Heavyweight: Martin Buday vs. Rizvan Kuniev
Aljamain Sterling
Aljamain Sterling faces Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 (Image: UFC.com)

Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry Official For UFC 310, Colby Covington Fills vs. Buckley

After a toe infection to Belal Muhammad forced the UFC welterweight champion out of UFC 310, the Dec. 7 card now has an answer to who will be headlining. Per an announcement from UFC CEO Dana White that dropped during Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, intended title challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov will no longer be competing […]

After a toe infection to Belal Muhammad forced the UFC welterweight champion out of UFC 310, the Dec. 7 card now has an answer to who will be headlining.

Per an announcement from UFC CEO Dana White that dropped during Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, intended title challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov will no longer be competing in the main event of UFC 310.

Tha Kazakh star has instead been moved to the co-main event slot and will face fellow undefeated contender Ian Garry in a five-round, non-title fight.

The UFC flyweight championship match between champion Alexandre Pantoja and his latest challenger, debutant Kai Asakura, has been promoted to the new UFC 310 main event.

Furthermore, as a result of Garry competing at UFC 310, Colby Covington will be filling in for him in the UFC Tampa main event on Dec. 14 against the Irishman’s originally booked opponent, Joaquin Buckley.

Garry Replaces Muhammad In UFC 310 Bout vs. Rakhmonov, Pantoja vs. Asakura Promoted To Main Event

Rakhmonov became next in line for the welterweight title after his finish of Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, as well as Muhammad’s title win against Leon Edwards at UFC 304. But “Nomad” will now have to put his shot on the line in a matchup with Garry.

The Irish rising star has fought twice in 2024, earning decision wins over Geoff Neal in February and Michael “Venom” Page four months later.

Garry and Covington, meanwhile, had been linked to face one another over the course of the last year due to intense hatred between the two seen across social media. “Chaos,” however, has previously stated that he does not feel “The Future” deserves a fight with him.

Covington is also on the outside looking in of the welterweight title picture, having not fought since his own disappointing outing against Edwards at UFC 296 last year.

Buckley, on the other hand, has won five straight, most recently knocking out “Wonderboy” at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City just last month.

Alexandre Pantoja: Henry Cejudo Would Need ‘Surgery’ To Make Flyweight Again

UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja isn’t buying former two-division king Henry Cejudo’s talk of a return to 125 pounds next year. Cejudo’s comeback from a short-lived retirement hasn’t gone to plan thus far. “Triple C” has gone 0-2 at bantamweight since returning three years on from his successful title defense opposite Dominick Cruz. After narrowly […]

Continue Reading Alexandre Pantoja: Henry Cejudo Would Need ‘Surgery’ To Make Flyweight Again at MMA News.

UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja isn’t buying former two-division king Henry Cejudo’s talk of a return to 125 pounds next year.

Cejudo’s comeback from a short-lived retirement hasn’t gone to plan thus far. “Triple C” has gone 0-2 at bantamweight since returning three years on from his successful title defense opposite Dominick Cruz.

After narrowly falling short of immediately regaining the crown against Aljamain Sterling in May 2023, Cejudo failed to stake his claim for another opportunity when he battled Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298 this past February.

Having now slipped down the pecking order at 135 pounds, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist plans to take his pursuit of another stint as UFC champ back down to flyweight.

In the summer, Cejudo provided an update on his current status, noting that an injury has been keeping him on the sidelines. When he is healthy and ready to make the walk again, he seemingly expects to do so as part of the division he ruled over after unseating the great Demetrious Johnson in 2018.

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Danny Segura, Pantoja reacted to Cejudo’s apparent plans to cut down for another title run at flyweight.

Suffice to say, the champ has his doubts…

“When you go to the surgery doctor, yeah, he needs (liposuction) to make the weight,” Pantoja said jokingly. “I don’t think he can make the weight again. He’s too big. I’d love the opportunity. If Cejudo can do that, I’ll give him five pounds to fight. It will be a dream to fight with Cejudo, of course. He’s a legend.”

For now, Pantoja will have his full attention on a different name set to arrive in the division.

In Kai Asakura, “The Cannibal” is scheduled to meet a former Rizin champion who has his sights on a memorable first foray into the Octagon at UFC 310 on Dec. 7.

Continue Reading Alexandre Pantoja: Henry Cejudo Would Need ‘Surgery’ To Make Flyweight Again at MMA News.

Alexandre Pantoja: Henry Cejudo Would Need ‘Surgery’ To Make Flyweight Again

UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja isn’t buying former two-division king Henry Cejudo’s talk of a return to 125 pounds next year. Cejudo’s comeback from a short-lived retirement hasn’t gone to plan thus far. “Triple C” has gone 0-2 at bantamweight since returning three years on from his successful title defense opposite Dominick Cruz. After narrowly […]

Continue Reading Alexandre Pantoja: Henry Cejudo Would Need ‘Surgery’ To Make Flyweight Again at MMA News.

UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja isn’t buying former two-division king Henry Cejudo’s talk of a return to 125 pounds next year.

Cejudo’s comeback from a short-lived retirement hasn’t gone to plan thus far. “Triple C” has gone 0-2 at bantamweight since returning three years on from his successful title defense opposite Dominick Cruz.

After narrowly falling short of immediately regaining the crown against Aljamain Sterling in May 2023, Cejudo failed to stake his claim for another opportunity when he battled Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298 this past February.

Having now slipped down the pecking order at 135 pounds, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist plans to take his pursuit of another stint as UFC champ back down to flyweight.

In the summer, Cejudo provided an update on his current status, noting that an injury has been keeping him on the sidelines. When he is healthy and ready to make the walk again, he seemingly expects to do so as part of the division he ruled over after unseating the great Demetrious Johnson in 2018.

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Danny Segura, Pantoja reacted to Cejudo’s apparent plans to cut down for another title run at flyweight.

Suffice to say, the champ has his doubts…

“When you go to the surgery doctor, yeah, he needs (liposuction) to make the weight,” Pantoja said jokingly. “I don’t think he can make the weight again. He’s too big. I’d love the opportunity. If Cejudo can do that, I’ll give him five pounds to fight. It will be a dream to fight with Cejudo, of course. He’s a legend.”

For now, Pantoja will have his full attention on a different name set to arrive in the division.

In Kai Asakura, “The Cannibal” is scheduled to meet a former Rizin champion who has his sights on a memorable first foray into the Octagon at UFC 310 on Dec. 7.

Continue Reading Alexandre Pantoja: Henry Cejudo Would Need ‘Surgery’ To Make Flyweight Again at MMA News.

Alexandre Pantoja Jokes That He’s Ready To Start Trash Talking Kai Asakura To Secure UFC 310 Main Event

It currently isn’t known whether a new fight will be scheduled for UFC 310 in December following the cancellation of the original main event. Belal Muhammad was set to make the first defense of his welterweight title against the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov in Las Vegas. With Muhammad withdrawing due to an injury, Rakhmonov is hoping […]

Continue Reading Alexandre Pantoja Jokes That He’s Ready To Start Trash Talking Kai Asakura To Secure UFC 310 Main Event at MMA News.

It currently isn’t known whether a new fight will be scheduled for UFC 310 in December following the cancellation of the original main event. Belal Muhammad was set to make the first defense of his welterweight title against the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov in Las Vegas.

With Muhammad withdrawing due to an injury, Rakhmonov is hoping to stay on the card in an interim title fight against the former champion, Kamaru Usman. There was also talk of whether the UFC would try to pull together a totally different main event but this doesn’t look to be an option following the update surrounding Alex Pereira.

The promotion does of course already have a title fight booked for the card with flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja facing off with new arrival, Kai Asakura. The issue from the UFC’s perspective is likely that Asakura will be making his debut so will be a relatively unknown fighter to a lot of fans in the US and there’s a language barrier there also.

With Pantoja not being the kind of champion who is going to sell the fight all by himself, it seems unlikely that they will be elevated into the main event. In a recent interview with Shakiel Mahjouri, Pantoja said that he’s ready to be the headliner if that’s what the UFC wants.

He even jokingly remarked that he’s prepared to start calling out Asakura and going against who he is in order to start hyping up the card and generating headlines.

“I’m ready for that, I’m ready to make my trash talk with Asakura and say he come from Japan, he don’t know, whatever you know. Whatever I need to say to him to make this show like everybody enjoy, you know. But you know about me, I’m not that guy. I’m not going to say anything. I say with my fists in the Octagon. I talking about that before, I’m another part of the coin. You have UFC is entertainment, of course, but I’m the good fighter. I’m fighter and I go for that.”

Continue Reading Alexandre Pantoja Jokes That He’s Ready To Start Trash Talking Kai Asakura To Secure UFC 310 Main Event at MMA News.

Alexandre Pantoja Reacts To Former Opponent Brandon Moreno’s UFC Edmonton Win

UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja was watching on as Brandon Moreno returned to winning ways in memorable fashion this past weekend. Pantoja unseated Moreno from the 125-pound throne in July 2023, falling on the right side of a split decision in a memorable contest widely seen as last year’s best fight. Since then, “The Cannibal” […]

Continue Reading Alexandre Pantoja Reacts To Former Opponent Brandon Moreno’s UFC Edmonton Win at MMA News.

UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja was watching on as Brandon Moreno returned to winning ways in memorable fashion this past weekend.

Pantoja unseated Moreno from the 125-pound throne in July 2023, falling on the right side of a split decision in a memorable contest widely seen as last year’s best fight. Since then, “The Cannibal” has cemented his grip on the crown with successful defenses opposite Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg.

“The Assassin Baby,” meanwhile, has been looking to work his way back to the Brazilian. That endeavor got underway on the wrong foot this past February in Mexico City, where Moreno once again found his opponent — Royval, this time — getting the nod on two out of the three scorecards.

That left the Mexican outlining plans for an extended break from competition and seemingly out of the flyweight title equation for the foreseeable future. But he returned to it in Edmonton on Saturday night, and in some style.

In the main event, Moreno handed Albazi his first defeat in the UFC, beating “The Prince” up across five rounds en route to a lopsided decision victory.

The former two-time champ received heavy praise across the community in the aftermath, including from a multi-time opponent of his. But Pantoja didn’t miss an opportunity to slide in a small jibe at the victorious Moreno in his X post…

“Very good fight my son,” Pantoja wrote in Portuguese.

Pantoja’s victory over Moreno last year marked his third over the Mexican in MMA. While the Brazilian’s gotten the better of him twice in professional UFC bouts, he also forced a tap from “The Assassin Baby” way back in 2016 during season 24 of The Ultimate Fighter.

With Moreno’s triumph in Canada on Nov. 2, it appears that a rare tetralogy could be on the table despite the Mexican’s 3-0 deficit to Pantoja. Before that comes to fruition, though, both men would appear to have some work to do.

In addition to Moreno acknowledging that he likely requires another strong performance to secure a shot, Pantoja is currently gearing up for his third defense. He’ll welcome former Rizin titleholder Kai Asakura to the Octagon at UFC 310 next month.

Continue Reading Alexandre Pantoja Reacts To Former Opponent Brandon Moreno’s UFC Edmonton Win at MMA News.