Flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja submitted Kai Asakura in round two of the main event. Ian ‘Machado’ Garry lost a close decision in a high-level welterweight contest for the number one contender spot against Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Cyril Gane won by a controversial split decision over Alexander Volkov.
After taking care of UFC newcomer and Japanese knockout artist Kai Asakura with a rear naked choke, Alexandre Pantoja took to the microphone in the center cage with Joe Rogan to call out the retired Demetrius ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson, who is considered the greatest fighter ever to operate at 125 lbs.
The 31-year-old Asakura arrived from Japan with a huge reputation and a highlight reel to match. There were glimpses of what he has done in his homeland, but ultimately, the champion matched him skill for skill and dismantled him in round two in classic Pantoja style, taking his record to 29-5, further enhancing his position as the best flyweight in the world after his third title defence.
Why did ‘The Cannibal’ Call Out ‘Mighty Mouse’?
It’s down to one simple thing: the level of competition the UFC can currently offer him. He’s beaten everybody at the top end of the division and some more than once. They drafted in the former two-time Rizin bantamweight champion in an attempt to give the Brazilian an elite matchup, and on paper, it was.
There are conversations now that Pantoja is the greatest flyweight of all time, and the current champion knows that to have that legitimately confirmed, he would need to beat the man who ruled for so long under the UFC and Thai promotion ONE FC. That man is Demetrius Johnson, who laid down the gloves in May 2023 after picking up a unanimous decision victory over Adriano Moraes in what was an emotional watch for mixed martial arts fans worldwide.
Johnson, now 38, has declared he has already been offered $2 million to make the return, which he has rejected. Unfortunately, it looks like that matchup will remain a fantasy one.
A High-Level Welterweight Contest
Shavkat Rakhmonov was due to fight Belal Muhammad in the main event of UFC 310 for the welterweight championship. When the current champion was forced to withdraw through injury, despite being ranked number one, Rakhmonov was determined to remain on the card and fight against another fellow top contender.
There were a few fighters who got the call, but it was Ian Garry who answered. The contest served up an elite viewing across five rounds, and it was Rakhmonov who came away with the victory, winning by one point on all three judges’ scorecards. He was taken the distance for the first time in his career and matched in large parts of a close fight where he had more significant strikes and a lot of control during the clinch work.
Irishman Garry forced the most feared man in the division to work for his victory and came close to taking a shock win from a rear naked choke attempt, showing he could hang with the elite. Behind the championship fight between Muhammad and Rakhmonov, few contenders are in line to face former champion Leon Edwards, who has declared he is set to headline the UFC fight night card at London’s o2 arena in March 2025.
What better match-up for the UK/Irish fans than two top contenders battling it out to see who will potentially face the winner of the title fight? Leon Edwards vs Ian ‘Machado’ Garry anyone? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Another Controversial Decision.
After three hard-fought rounds between former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov, the Frenchman Gane walked away with a split-decision victory. Despite having the lion’s share of significant strikes in a high-level contest, it surprised the crowd when Bruce Buffer didn’t call Volkov’s name out. Backed by Dana White, the Russian immediately left the octagon, telling him he had won the fight and would be looked after with a rematch.
Trilogies and rematches can bring out some of the best fights and storylines in combat sports, and ‘Drago’ will want to get revenge over his fellow European counterpart as we wait for episode three of this high-stakes contest. For both fighters ranked at number two and three, respectively, as they wait for the conclusion of the Jones/Aspinall saga, there is seemingly no other fight that the UFC hierarchy will look to make.
Full Undercard Results:
A. Pantoja def Kai Asakura Sub, 2:05 R2
S. Rakhmonov def I. Machado Garry Unanimous Dec
Ciryl Gane def A. Volkov Split Dec
Bryce Mitchell def Kron Gracie KO/TKO, 0:39 R3
Doo Ho Choi def Nate Landwehr KO/TKO, 3:21 R3
Dominick Reyes def Anthony Smith KO/TKO, 4:46 R2
Vicente Luque def Themba Gorimbo Sub, 0:52 R1
Movsar Evloev def A. Sterling Unanimous Dec
Bryan Battle def Randy Brown Split Dec
Eryk Anders def Chris Weidman KO/TKO, 4:51 R2
Joshua Van def Cody Durden Unanimous Dec
Michael Chiesa def Max Griffin Sub, 1:56 R3
Chase Hooper def Clay Guida Sub, 3:41 R1
K. Nzechukwu def Łukasz Brzeski KO/TKO, 4:51 R1
