In an eventful UFC match on Saturday night, Alexandre Pantoja once again exhibited his expertise in the flyweight division. As the reining champion, he maintained his title with a gripping technical submission against newcomer Kai Asakura. Utilising a back choke, Pantoja sent Asakura to oblivion at the dawn of the second round, precisely at 2:05.
With a track record of 29 victories and 5 losses, Pantoja was not new to the tension of a title defence. This face-off with Asakura marked his third time defending his hard-earned title since sparring Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 on a summer’s day in July 2023. There, Pantoja managed to snatch a win through a split decision.
Kai Asakura entered the UFC ring for the first time with a respectable record of 21 victories and 5 losses. However, his debut proved to be an uphill battle against the well-versed Pantoja. Asakura’s sturdy punches were no match for Pantoja’s masterful mat technique and he could not defeat the odds of Pantoja being a -275 favourite.
The fight saw Pantoja leveraging a swift and calculated sequence of movements. Ducking here and there momentarily, he tactically enhanced his position. Soon, he secured Asakura’s back, clasping him in a body triangle, and earning himself an opportunity to choke out Asakura for the win.
On the same night, Shavkat Rakhmonov claimed victory in the co-main event, initially planned as the main event until the reigning welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad, bowed out due to a severe foot bone infection. Rakhmonov, with a remarkable record of 19 wins and no losses, contended against Ian Machado Garry, who is ranked seventh.
Unlike previous matches, Rakhmonov’s face-off with Machado Garry pushed him to participate in a decision for the first time in his career. Each fighter gave their all in the ring, but in the end, the unanimous decision favoured Rakhmonov. Despite the change in opponent, Rakhmonov entered the event closing as a -400 favourite.
Continuing the evening’s bouts, a heavyweight duel had the audience on the edge of their seats. Competing as a 4-to-1 favourite, No. 2 contender Ciryl Gane took on No. 3 Alexander Volkov. Both fighters showcased their skills, but Gane, with 13 wins and 2 losses, triumphed over Volkov, courtesy of a split decision.
The UFC card also witnessed an intense featherweight fight between Bryce Mitchell and Kron Gracie. Despite being a -1000 favorite, Mitchell didn’t get an easy win. In the third round, a mere 39 seconds in, Mitchell executed a profound body slam and followed up with a solid forearm blow to Gracie’s head, scoring a stunning stoppage.
Switching the focus to a critical featherweight clash between Nate Landwehr and Dooho Choi. The betting market had hopes on the underdog Choi, driving the closing price down to a favorable +115. Choi surprised the crowd with a technical win utilizing a crucifix position to stop Landwehr, causing the referee to call an end to the bout after 3:21 of the third round.
The action-filled night also shone a light on two matches that had everyone’s attention as former bantamweight and middleweight champions took the stage. Aljamain Sterling, with a record of 24 wins and 5 losses, squared off against Movsar Evloev in the bantamweight class.
Undefeated Evloev does not have an unconquered record for no reason. His tactical and agile moves took him places, this time dashing Sterling’s hopes of a victory. Sterling found himself in the losing corner as Evloev extended the longest active streak in the UFC featherweight division — a solid eight matches.
Lastly, it would be remiss not to mention the clash between Eryk Anders and Chris Weidman in the middleweight division. Both fighters came into the ring with impressive records, Anders with 18 wins and 8 losses, and Weidman with one less win but one more loss. Despite the close numbers, the tides turned in favour of Anders.
Seconds before the bell that marked the end of the second round, Anders managed to dynamite his victory. Seal the deal, as some might say. He landed a TKO on Weidman, who seemed off balance, at 4:51, jabbing the final nail in the coffin of this high-voltage event. This bombarded Weidman’s hopes of returning to his earlier glory.
In summary, the night was chock-full of breathtaking UFC matches, each providing poignant storylines of triumph, defeat, and strategy. From Pantoja’s admirable defence of his flyweight title to Rakhmonov’s unanimous decision victory, from Mitchell’s stunning stoppage in a featherweight bout to Choi’s surprise win against Landwehr.
Lastly, the fights involving FC champions, Sterling’s loss against Evloev, and Weidman’s defeat at the hands of Anders left the spectators in awe. The display of sheer will, skill, and determination by all fighters proves yet again why UFC continues to attract fans worldwide with electrifying battles of skill and strength.