Belal Muhammad is officially set to headline the final UFC card of 2024.
On Saturday, Dana White took to social media to confirm that the welterweight champion will defend his belt against undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 in Las Vegas on December 10.
In the co-main event of the evening, flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja will put his title on the line against Japanese star Kai Asakura, who will look to shock the world by winning a UFC title on his first trip to the Octagon.
Also on the card is a heavyweight bout with potential title implications between former interim champion Ciryl Gane and long-time contender Alexander Volkov.
Who else is fighting at UFC 310?
Several other fights have already been announced for the UFC’s return to the T-Mobile Arena, including Nick Diaz’s eagerly anticipated return to MMA.
The former Strikeforce welterweight champion is set to face Vicente Luque in his first bout since losing a rematch with Robbie Lawler in September 2021.
Undefeated featherweight Movsar Evloev will take on Aljamain Sterling as the ex-bantamweight titleholder looks to continue his perfect start to life at 145lbs.
Former title challengers Anthony Smith and Dominick Reyes will also battle at UFC 310 in a fight that could see the winner edge closer to another shot at UFC gold and leave the loser contemplating retirement.
White is expected to keep the fight announcements coming in the next few weeks as he prepares to top off a great year with a stacked final fight card.
Conor McGregor’s UFC comeback is officially delayed until 2025
Conor McGregor was adamant that he would return to the Octagon in 2024, but then he broke his toe and withdrew from his fight with Michael Chandler.
They were supposed to fight at UFC 303 in June, and both agreed to headline UFC 310 after their bout was called off – but White immediately shut down that idea.
So, Chandler opted to take an interim bout against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 on November 16, which left McGregor without an opponent and unlikely to fight in 2024.
It was hoped that a surprise announcement about him headlining UFC 310 was coming, but Muhammad’s fight with Rakhmonov has killed all hope of the Irishman competing this year.
McGregor will now begin hunting for a new opponent and fight date.
“We are looking for the date,” McGregor told The Schmo earlier this week.
“I’d like to square it away with Michael Chandler. You know, I’d like to get Chandler in, we’ve had our beef, and it’s not settled. He has a match scheduled. I would like to fight before he’s recovered.
“There’s a few names in the line at the minute. There’s a few names being discussed.”