As the year draws to a close, the UFC is preparing for its last major event, taking place in the entertainment capital Las Vegas. The highly anticipated Flyweight Championship battle awaits, featuring Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura. The main card of UFC 310 kicks off at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT / 3 a.m. GMT (Sun) / 2 p.m. AEDT (Sun) with prelims commencing from 8 p.m. ET.
Expect the excitement to reach fever pitch around 12 a.m. ET / 9 p.m. PT / 5 a.m. GMT / 4 p.m. AEDT, when Pantoja and Asakura make their way to the ring. Pantoja, originally from Brazil, is no newcomer to the UFC stage. A contestant on The Ultimate Fighter reality show, he clawed his way to the top, overcoming Brandon Moreno to clinch the flyweight title.
Dubbed ‘The Cannibal’, Pantoja has tasted victory since, winning two consecutive bouts through unanimous decision. Heading into this weekend’s championship event, he is highly favored to retain his title against Asakura. But a championship fight can tip either way – there’s no room for complacency.
Kai Asakura, on the other hand, brings a taste of victory from his homeland, Japan where he enjoyed double victories as the bantamweight champ of the Rizin Fighting Federation. Asakura gave up his title to step into UFC turf, under the captaincy of Dana White. Considered a hero in Japan, an unexpected win here would catapult him to international acclaim.
While the anticipated title clash between Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov has been scratched, UFC 310 is still armed with a robust roster of fights. The T-Mobile Arena will play host to this gathering of stellar fighters, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the action-packed spectacle.
When keen spectators question whether UFC 310 is a PPV fight, the answer varies based on geographical location. It’s a YES for countries like the U.S. and Canada, where eager enthusiasts need to buy a PPV to enjoy the event. However, in regions like the U.K., UFC 310 can be viewed on conventional platforms like TNT Sports.
Uncertainty doesn’t overshadow the event’s line-up though. The UFC 310 card promises a series of intense matches: From the Flyweight Championship featuring Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura, to the Welterweight title eliminator pitting Shavkat Rakhmonov versus Ian Machado Garry.
Heavyweights Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov will bring the brute power, while Bryce Mitchell and Kron Gracie, alongside Nate Landwehr and Choi Doo-ho bring agility and finesse to the featherweight class. With each card, the stakes get higher and the expectations, greater.
Before the main showdown, be sure not to miss the prelims (8 p.m. ET) on ESPN Plus and ESPN News. The Light Heavyweight clash between Dominick Reyes and Anthony Smith serves as a headliner. The welterweight duel between Vicente Luque and Themba Gorimbo, and the featherweight match featuring Movsar Evloev and Aljamain Sterling are not to be missed either.
In addition, Randy Brown and Bryan Battle will contest in the welterweight class. The early prelims (6 p.m. ET) on ESPN Plus and UFC Fight Pass also host an array of combative prowess, with fighters like Chris Weidman and Eryk Anders contesting at catchweight.
The flyweight genre will bask in the spotlight too, with Cody Durden and Joshua Van locking horns. And the welterweight clash between Michael Chiesa and Max Griffin is set to thrill fans.
Accompanying them will be the lightweight warriors, Clay Guida and Chase Hooper who will set the stage on fire. Meanwhile, Kennedy Nzechukwu and ?ukasz Brzeski will grace the heavyweight division.
Each combatant, from the flyweights to the heavyweights, brings a unique intensity to UFC 310. Thus, regardless of the weight class, every match offers a showcase of courage, tactical acumen, and Technique making this event a not-to-be-missed sporting spectacle.
With each subsequent bout, the levels of anticipation and excitement rise exponentially. From preliminaries to the main card, every round of combat promises a new twist. The fans can hardly wait. Can a new star rise or will the reigning champions continue their dominance?
The stage is set, the fighters are ready, and the countdown is on. On one side sits Alexandre Pantoja with his relentless momentum, on the other, Kai Asakura stands, the underdog, and the taste of victory already in his mouth from his homeland. UFC 310 is primed to close out the year with a bang.