UFC 310 preview: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura

Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura headline UFC 310 in one of the most unique fights in modern UFC history.

0:29 A new challenger approaches: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura
6:47 Is Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry the best fight on UFC 310?
11:44 Will Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov 2 be any different?
17:50 What’s with the Movsar Evloev-Aljamain Sterling disrespect?

9-0 against the top ten. That’s what they say about Alexandre Pantoja. So much so that the UFC is bringing in Kai Asakura over from RIZIN as a new title challenger. Kai Asakura has the opportunity to dethrone the 34-year-old champion and be not only a champion in his first fight with the UFC, but also the promotion’s first ever Japanese champion at UFC 310.

Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado-Garry is the most compelling fight on UFC 310. We hardly get promising prospects facing off anymore and this is exactly that. Shavkat Rakhmonov was originally supposed to fight Belal Muhammad for the title before the champ was hurt. In steps Ian Machado-Garry, looking for his Conor McGregor moment and claiming his spot as the most exciting fighter in the welterweight division.

Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov are also on this card. But the fight between the two is actually a rematch. Will Alexander Volkov fight any differently given what we know about Ciryl Gane? Will the Russian wrestle to continue his surge? Or are we being too harsh for him Ciryl Gane to Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones?

The weirdest thing about UFC 310 is Movsar Evloev and Aljamain Sterling’s placement. Either could very well be the next challenger for the new star, Ilia Topuria. But instead, we are burying them on the prelims. Could it be due to Aljamain Sterling’s unpopularity and Movsar Evloev’s propensity for decisions?