Insights from UFC 310

UFC 310 featured a 14-fight card in Las Vegas, highlighted by an extraordinary flyweight title bout between the UFC champion Alexandre Pantoja and former two-time RIZIN champion Kai Asakura. In the co-main event, Shavkat Rakhmonov secured his title shot against Belal Muhammad following a victory over Ian Machado Garry. Can anyone compete with Pantoja? Will Rakhmonov be favored against Muhammad? For clarity, Jeff Wagenheim, Brett Okamoto, and Andreas Hale share their key takeaways from an exhilarating night of action in Vegas.

Pantoja stands alone, but flyweight G.O.A.T?

Look through the list of current UFC champions and identify the three who have enjoyed the most successful title reigns. Islam Makhachev likely pops into mind as he’s held the lightweight title since 2022. Alex Pereira, with three successful defenses at light heavyweight in under a year, is probably your next thought.

The answer after those two? It surely has to be Alexandre Pantoja. The flyweight champion’s second-round submission victory over Kai Asakura at UFC 310 has put him alongside Makhachev and Pereira as the only current titleholders with at least three successful defenses.

Pantoja, currently ranked No. 5 in the ESPN pound-for-pound rankings, weathered Asakura’s early onslaught. However, once he adapted to his opponent—taking roughly half a round—he seized complete control and dominated thereafter. By the conclusion of the first round, Pantoja had landed over twice as many significant strikes as Asakura (31 to 15). When Round 2 commenced and the champ closed in for a clinch, he skillfully transitioned to take Asakura’s back, brought him down, locked in a body triangle, and swiftly applied a rear-naked choke that wrapped it up at 2:05 of the round.

Nevertheless, Pantoja’s responsibilities weren’t finished. He still needed to do what champions typically do: call out a future opponent. The issue is, he has already defeated ESPN’s No. 2 flyweight, Brandon Royval, on two occasions. He has triumphed over the No. 3 ranked fighter, Brandon Moreno, three times. While Pantoja hasn’t yet faced Kai Kara-France, the fourth-ranked fighter in the 125-pound category has lost two of his last three outings. And No. 5 Muhammad Mokaev is MIA—his contract with the UFC lapsed over the summer.

Thus, Pantoja opted to call out a fighter who is no longer in the UFC—the one he recently matched for the most wins in UFC flyweight history, with 13. “This is for you, Demetrious Johnson,” he stated in his post-fight remarks. “I’m the GOAT here, and if you wish to prove you’re the GOAT, come back.”

Alexandre Pantoja celebrates after successfully defending his flyweight title against Kai Asakura at UFC 310. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC Johnson, who concluded his career as a One Championship titleholder this year, has no need to prove himself to Pantoja or anyone else. “Mighty Mouse” dominated the UFC’s flyweight division from 2012 to 2018—an astonishing reign lasting 2,142 days, the second-longest in UFC history. Johnson set an astounding record with 11 consecutive title defenses. Pantoja is far from being the 125-pound G.O.A.T.

Yet, Pantoja undeniably commands today’s flyweight landscape, to such an extent that the UFC needed to look across the Pacific to find a contender, someone who hasn’t stepped into the octagon at 125 pounds in over seven years. What’s next? Can anyone still in the UFC—or in all of MMA—match up against him? — Wagenheim

A new chapter at welterweight

Following his victory at UFC 310, Shavkat Rakhmonov is likely in line to face champion Belal Muhammad for the middleweight title in 2025. Steve Marcus/Getty Images This transition has been anticipated—and after UFC 310, it’s become undeniable. A fresh generation has emerged within the division. For an extended period, the welterweight realm has been presided over by a select few names: Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington, Leon Edwards, Jorge Masvidal, and Stephen Thompson. This group had their time, creating a memorable era. However, unless one of them pulls off a significant comeback, it appears finished. Even if Usman achieves a surprising victory soon or Covington halts Joaquin Buckley‘s rising momentum on Dec. 14, the transition is broadly apparent. The torch has been handed off.

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Shavkat Rakhmonov is undeniably a force, and Ian Machado Garry affirmed his standing by competing in two of the five rounds against him on Saturday. I predict these two will cross paths again in the future. They will both inevitably face Jack Della Maddalena, as he too is part of this new era. Saturday offered a preview of what the next five years will hold in the welterweight division. Rakhmonov is only 30, Machado Garry is 27, Della Maddalena is 28, the previously mentioned Buckley is 30, and Carlos Prates, another rapidly emerging talent in the division, is 31. One might feel sympathy for the current champion, Belal Muhammad, as he faces the challenge of contending with these young talents rather than enjoying high-profile bouts against legends from the prior era.

This observation does not cast any negative light on the veterans; they are still capable of winning significant fights. But they have already had their time, their rivalries, and have faced each other numerous times. It was an outstanding period for the welterweight division. Don’t forget Tyron Woodley, who squared off against Usman, Covington, and Thompson twice. We received all the contests we craved from that group. Now the spotlight shifts to the current crop of fighters this month. — Okamoto

The widening divide at heavyweight

Ciryl Gane triumphed over Alexander Volkov by a narrow split decision in their heavyweight clash at UFC 310. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC Ciryl Gane’s razor-thin victory firmly positions him as the UFC’s No. 2 ranked heavyweight. However, the contentious nature of the outcome has only highlighted the significant divide between Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall, and the remainder of the heavyweight contenders.

This could pose a genuine issue down the line.

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Gane has claimed victory in two consecutive bouts after being overwhelmed by Jon Jones in 2023. Nonetheless, it is difficult to envision Gane posing a substantial threat to either Jones or Aspinall if provided with a future title shot. Concerning Volkov, many believed he had done enough to secure victory, yet the outcome stands, marking his second defeat at the hands of Gane. Prior to this loss, Volkov had enjoyed a four-fight win streak, with his last defeat coming in the first round against the present interim champion, Aspinall.

The heavyweight class is in dire need of fresh talent. Thankfully, with Jones competing just once a year, there is an opportunity to cultivate new contenders. However, as of now, the existing top 10 heavyweights are not generating substantial momentum to establish a credible challenger for whoever ends up as the undisputed champion in 2025.

Some turnover in the heavyweight division is essential sooner rather than later if there’s any hope of closing this gap, as the current cohort approaches their twilight. Unless a new contender springs forth, this will likely remain a division dominated either by Jones or Aspinall over the next two years. — Hale