Pantoja Retains Flyweight Strap choking Asakura Out at UFC 310
It was once thought that the Flyweight division would never see a champion like Demetrius Johnson again Alexandre Pantoja is creating his own legend.
The Brazilian is still the undisputed Flyweight world champion after a second-round submission win over Kai Asakura. The wild opening moment of the fight saw Pantoja run right into an Asakura jump knee return his own knee and stun the challenger with a left hand. Pantoja’s volume and pressure would keep Asakura on the defensive. As soon as Pantoja saw the opportunity, he sprung into taking Asakura’s back and adjusted his way to putting Asakura asleep for his 11th submission win and 8th by rear naked choke. Pantoja’s reign now includes three successful title defenses.
Shavkat Rakhmonov has seen the judge’s scorecards for the first time in his career walking away from the verdict, still undefeated. Knowing that Ian Garry did his best work out in space Rakhmonov focused on shrinking the battle ground and keeping Garry’s back near the fence. Burning clock by having Garry pin on the fence put that much more emphasis on each landed strike. Rakhmonov took the lead by landing a variety of hard single strikes from the jab to spinning back kick. By the fourth round Rakhmonov found his takedown. Down on the cards Garry did all he could to go for a finish surprising many by taking down Rakhmonov and hunting a choke before the position got reversed. Rakhmonov outworks Garry for his first decision win hand Garry his first loss and again securing his date with UFC Welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. A night that feels like Ian Garry showed heart and earned respect where some of the Rakhmonov mystic may have dwindled.
Ciryl Gane made it 2-0 against Alexander Volkov while this one came by razor close decision. The weakness of Gane’s grappling has been documented. Volkov put Gane on his back early but couldn’t keep him there. Ending the first trapped in a guillotine wrapped around Volkov’s neck gave Gane an early edge. After getting out from under Gane in the second a Volkov’s spinning backfist was the biggest moment of the round countering but fell short of the volume jab and leg kicks of Gane. Volkov would takedown Gane and keep him on his back the entire 3rd round. The dominate third round
In his return after a year away from the octagon Bryce Mitchell returned to the win column. Mitchell stuck Kron Gracie with knees and elbows in the clinch. Gracie turned to his Jiu Jitsu roots pulling guard. A major mistake as Mitchell would put his weight behind slamming Gracie into the mat. A left hand followed by a left elbow put Gracie out.
It’s been eight years since he could say it, but Doo Ho Choi can again say he’s on a win streak. Nate Landwehr’s aggression was met by Choi slick boxing including a lead uppercut. While Landwehr was aggressive it opened him up to be tripped and put on his back. Choi trapped Landwehr in a crucifix hammering elbows to the finish.
For the first time since 2019 Dominick Reyes has posted two victories in the same calendar year. Reyes prodded away with his jab in the first round. Reyes pounded Anothny Smith to a grounded position in the second round, defending Smith’s takedown attempts with a mix of left elbows and punches. A continuous thudding from Reyes earns a merciful stoppage. Smith with an admittedly heavy heart after the sudden passing of his long-time coach & friend Scott Morton. After the fight Smith said, “I don’t know how I can do it without him.” After asked if this would be his final fight in the octagon Smith replied with “Probably”.
The demise of Vicente Luque was greatly exaggerated, and he made sure everyone understood. Luque stuck Themba Gorimbo with a right-hand left hook combination quickly jumping on a D’Arce choke to secure the first-round finish in under a minute.
A title shot won’t evade Movsar Evloev for much longer with efforts like he had against Aljamain Sterling. The unbeaten record is still intact after a 9th consecutive win inside the octagon. Sterling was on Evloev’s back controlling the first round. Evloev got offensive with his wrestling collecting five takedowns over the final ten minutes to hand “Aljo” his first loss at Featherweight.
Bryan Battle continues to construct a resume worthy of the Welterweight ranking. After missing weight by 4 lbs. Battle had a lot to make up for. Brown had a hot start, seemingly motivated by what he took as disrespect from Battle. Battle adjusted his strategy in the final two rounds beating up Brown in the clinch with heavy knees to the body.
Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders was rescheduled from UFC 309 after Anders fell ill on fight day. Anders made it up to the fans by turning in the finest performance of his career. Anders slipped in his high kick and took Weidman down. The steady work rate from Anders broke down the former Middleweight champion forcing the ref stoppage with seconds left in the second round.
The 5th win of his UFC career should see Joshua Van enter the rankings. Van’s takedown defense forced Cody Duren into a striking battle. Van took over from there with his slick boxing busting up Durden’s nose.
Chase Hooper may look back at moving up to Lightweight as a life changing move. “The Dream” is now 4-0 at 155 after submitting veteran Clay Gudia with an armbar in just under four minutes. The finish came 14 seconds faster than when Hooper submitted Guida at Fury Pro Grappling 6. It wasn’t just the grappling which has long been his bread and butter, but the overall composure and fluidity on the feet is a night & day difference from where he started in the octagon.
The move to heavyweight looks like the proper adjustment as Kennedy Nzechukwu improved to 2-0 in the weight class taking care of Lukasz Brzeski with a left hook in the first round.
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