Sun Dec 08 13:18:31 UTC 2024: ## UFC 310: Pantoja Reigns Supreme, Rakhmonov Earns Title Shot in Vegas Thriller

**Las Vegas, NV** – UFC 310 delivered a thrilling end to its 2024 pay-per-view schedule on Saturday night, featuring a mix of decisive victories, controversial judging, and emotional moments. Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja successfully defended his title against debuting RIZIN star Kai Asakura, showcasing his dominance with a decisive win. While Asakura’s flashy style impressed, Pantoja’s superior technique and control proved insurmountable. Pantoja’s victory sets the stage for a potentially long reign at the top of the flyweight division.

The co-main event saw an undefeated clash between Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Garry, a five-round welterweight title eliminator. Rakhmonov secured a hard-fought unanimous decision victory (48-47), though Garry’s resilience and impressive leg kicks prevented a finish, marking the first time Rakhmonov hasn’t ended a fight by knockout or submission. The win earns Rakhmonov a title shot against Belal Muhammad, while Garry’s performance solidified his place as a rising contender.

Controversy surrounded the heavyweight rematch between Alexander Volkov and Cyril Gane. Volkov dominated much of the fight, outstriking Gane and securing takedowns. However, the judges awarded a split decision victory to Gane, leaving Volkov feeling hard done by.

The main card also featured a puzzling TKO loss for Kron Gracie against Bryce Mitchell, raising questions about the fight’s placement and Gracie’s future in the UFC. Elsewhere, Choi Doo-ho delivered a dominant performance against Nate Landwehr, showcasing improved well-rounded skills.

The undercard saw emotional highs and lows. Anthony Smith, fighting with heavy heart after the death of his coach, suffered a defeat against Dominick Reyes, hinting at potential retirement. Reyes’ victory is a significant step towards a potential title shot. Vicente Luque swiftly submitted Themba Gorimbo, reinforcing his status as a top contender, while Movsar Evloev extended his unbeaten streak with a victory over Aljamain Sterling, securing a featherweight title shot. Bryan Battle’s win over Randy Brown was met with boos from the crowd due to his clinching strategy. Finally, Chris Weidman’s career appears to be nearing its end after a decisive loss to Eryk Anders.

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