UFC 310 highlighted the clash of unbeaten fighters Ian Machado Garry and Shavkat Rakhmonov, with Rakhmonov securing a decision victory, marking Garry’s first professional loss. In the flyweight division, Alexandre Pantoja successfully defended his title against Kai Asakura with a second-round rear-naked choke. The heavyweight bout saw Cyril Gane narrowly defeat Alexander Volkov by split decision, despite facing challenges from a toe injury, reaffirming his position in title contention.
UFC 310: A Night of Unbeaten Fighters and Intense Showdowns
At UFC 310, the spotlight was on two rising stars, Ian Machado Garry and Shavkat Rakhmonov, both boasting a remarkable combined record of 33 victories and zero defeats. However, the night was destined to change that, as one of these formidable welterweights was set to experience their inaugural loss. The main event saw the flyweight champion effortlessly defend his title in Las Vegas.
Pantoja’s Dominance in the Flyweight Division
In a display of skill and confidence, Alexandre Pantoja faced off against challenger Kai Asakura, showcasing why he is the reigning champion in the flyweight category. From the outset, Pantoja took control of the fight, landing powerful strikes and maintaining dominance. Despite a spirited response from Asakura, who attempted a jumping knee strike, Pantoja quickly regained the upper hand. The Brazilian’s reign continued unchallenged as he executed a rear-naked choke in the second round, leaving his opponent unconscious and defending his title with ease.
Meanwhile, the attention shifted to the highly anticipated bout between Shavkat Rakhmonov, with an impressive record of 18 wins and no losses, and Ian Machado Garry, who stood undefeated at 15-0. The first round saw Rakhmonov assert himself with clinches against the cage, while Garry struggled to take control of the match. As the second round unfolded, Garry began to find his rhythm, delivering better combinations, yet failing to land any decisive blows.
By the third round, Rakhmonov shifted gears, taking Garry down and inflicting damage through ground-and-pound strategies. This pattern continued into the fourth round, leaving Garry needing a finish in the final round to secure a victory. Although he managed to gain a brief upper hand by taking Rakhmonov down and almost executing a rear-naked choke, the fight ultimately ended in a decision that favored Rakhmonov, marking Garry’s first professional loss. Following the match, Rakhmonov was expected to face welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, who had to withdraw due to an injury, suggesting that a title shot is on the horizon for the victorious fighter.
Tactical Battles in the Heavyweight Division
The heavyweight clash between Cyril Gane and Alexander Volkov also delivered a thrilling encounter. The bout was characterized by tactical maneuvers, with both fighters exchanging isolated advances and showcasing agile footwork. It wasn’t until the third round that Volkov began to assert his dominance, taking Gane down and controlling the fight from the side. Despite a divided opinion from the judges on the initial rounds, Gane ultimately emerged victorious by split decision. Following the announcement, he expressed frustration about his performance, noting a toe injury sustained earlier in the fight. Nevertheless, with two consecutive wins under his belt, Gane has firmly reentered the title contention.