UFC 310: Rakhmonov vs. Garry added, new main event unveiled

Frank Bonada

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Publish Date: 11/17/2024

Undefeated welterweights Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry are set to face off in a high-stakes five-round co-main event at UFC 310, with a welterweight title shot up for grabs.

Originally, Rakhmonov was scheduled to challenge current welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. However, Muhammad sustained a severe bone infection in his foot, sidelining him for at least six weeks and forcing him to withdraw from the bout. In response, the UFC reshuffled the card, pairing Rakhmonov with Machado Garry in a matchup of undefeated fighters, now slotted as the co-main event.

While no longer a title fight, the Rakhmonov vs. Garry bout remains a five-round contest with major implications: the winner is to be declared the No.1 contender in the 170lb division.

Rakhmonov, widely regarded as one of the most dangerous fighters in the welterweight class, holds a perfect 18-0 record with notable wins over elite opposition such as Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, Geoff Neal, and Neil Magny. Equally impressive, Machado Garry has amassed a 15-0 record, most recently defeating Michael “Venom” Page at UFC 303. With both fighters in the prime of their careers, this matchup has fireworks written all over it.

Pantoja vs. Asakura to headline UFC 310

In related news, UFC 310 will now be headlined by a flyweight title bout between reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja and former Rizin champion Kai Asakura.

Since seizing the flyweight title with a win over Brandon Moreno at UFC 290, Pantoja has cemented his position as the king of the 125lb division with consecutive defenses against top contenders Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg. However, with limited depth in the division, fresh challengers have been hard to find.

Enter Kai Asakura, the former Rizin bantamweight champion, who will make his highly anticipated UFC debut directly into a title fight. With a 21-4 record, Asakura has been hailed as one of the most talented fighters outside the UFC. His last appearance at Rizin 45 saw him dismantle Bellator veteran Juan Archuleta with a devastating knee to the body, a performance that undoubtedly caught the UFC’s attention.

By fast-tracking Asakura to a title shot, the UFC will also continue to tap into the growing Japanese market, adding an international edge to a marquee fight that promises high stakes and explosive action.