A flyweight title fight is set to headline Dana White’s final pay-per-view show of the year.
Welterweight champion Belal Muhammad was supposed to defend his belt in the main event, but he suffered a bone affection that left his toe badly swollen before withdrawing from a clash with Shavkat Rakhmonov, who will now face Ian Garry in the UFC 310 co-headliner.
As a result, Alexandre Pantoja vs Kai Asakura has become the main attraction for Saturday’s fight card.
Fans are divided on the UFC 310 title fight. So are the BloodyElbow.com staff, who have different opinions on how Pantoja’s scrap with Asakura will play out at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Bloody Elbow staff predict UFC 310 main event
Jordan Ellis: “I just can’t see past the three knockout losses on Kai Asakura’s record. Flyweights aren’t known for their KO power, so those defeats suggest a chin or defense issue that Alexandre Pantoja will be able to exploit during the UFC 310 main event.”
PREDICTION: Alexandre Pantoja by KO
Donagh Corby: “When it comes to sport, I’ve always been a bit of a romantic. As such I would love to see Kai Asakura arrive in the UFC and immediately shake up the whole scene with an upset win. However, in practical terms, I find it very hard to see him be the man to dethrone Alexandre Pantoja right now. The type of fighter who has beaten Pantoja up to now doesn’t line up stylistically, and it seems to be me it’s going to be “and still” on Saturday night”
PREDICTION: Alexandre Pantoja by decision
Jamie Theodosi: “This main event is extremely intriguing. Alexandre Pantoja tends to look relatively sloppy with his striking and tends to look tired early on, but he always finds a second wind. However, he is going up against a phenomenal power puncher with great striking. If Pantoja can’t get his grappling going, I favor Asakura in this fight.”
PREDICTION: Kai Asakura by KO
Tom Llewellyn: “It’s hard not to jump on the Kai Asakura hype train, but once you’re on it, it’s even harder to jump off – the Japanese fighter might be the more inexperienced out of the two, but with Pantoja set to turn 35 in just a few months time, UFC 310 is primed for a sensational underdog win for the promotional newcomer.”
PREDICTION: Kai Asakura
James Sweetnam: “The main event of UFC 310 is undeniably intriguing, with a man who’s dominated the Japanese scene with Rizin, making his plunge into the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion, dead set on claiming the biggest prize in MMA. However, achieving that goal certainly won’t be easy, with Alexandre Pantoja presenting by far the toughest task of his career. While Kai Asakura may have the edge in the striking department, he lacks experience at the pinnacle of the sport, and to make matters even tougher, his rival has a secret weapon up his sleeve, in the form of two training partners who’ve fought ‘The Crazy Wolf’ in the past, and can thus can give ‘The Cannibal’ all the advice necessary to go in and overcome the challenge ahead. With this in mind, I’m predicting that the reigning flyweight King will survive an early storm to win on points.”
PREDICTION: Alexandre Pantoja by decision
Curtis Calhoun: “Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura will be a fast-paced, high-octane flyweight bout for as long as it lasts. Pantoja will implement a heavy-wrestling style to stifle Asakura’s quick-twitch striking, although he won’t be afraid to trade on the feet. Asakura won’t be able to stop Pantoja’s ground game, and eventually, Pantoja’s BJJ will win the day.”
PREDICTION: Alexandre Pantoja by submission
Oscar Pick: “I believe that Alexandre Pantoja will win on points. Kai Asakura enters his UFC debut with a lot of promise, and clearly has come great kickboxing credentials, but Pantoja’s experience at the elite level should get him through the rounds.”
PREDICTION: Alexandre Pantoja