The 'Cannibal' devoured another one! Alexandre Pantoja defeated newcomer Kai Asakura in the co-main event of UFC 310 , on Saturday night (7) at the T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas, USA. It was the Brazilian's third successful defense of the flyweight belt (up to 56,7 kg). In the second round, Pantoja managed to choke out the Japanese fighter, who had never been submitted in his career.
Pantoja now has a record of 29 wins and five losses. Who will be the next to try to take the belt from the Brazilian next year? That is if he doesn't move up to the bantamweight division (up to 61,2kg), since he has defeated the top fighters in the current category.
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Japanese fighter Kai Asakura , former Rizin champion, realized that winning the UFC belt requires more training and time in the sport. He now has a record of 21 wins and five losses in MMA.
Pantoja presses in surgical fight
Alexandre Pantoja submitted Kai Asakura at UFC 310 and retained the flyweight title. Photo: Reproduction X UFC
The champion's game plan was clear from the start: take down the Japanese and try to finish. A knee from Asakura even grazed Pantoja's face, giving the crowd a scare, but the Brazilian resisted. The newcomer seemed to enjoy the blow and started to throw knees whenever he could, but Pantoja managed to keep his distance by connecting a few jabs and crosses on the Japanese.
At the beginning of the second round, Pantoja stuck to Asakura's back like a backpack, but the Japanese fighter was smooth. It didn't take long for the Brazilian to take him down and lock the lock on his opponent. Pantoja locked in a rear naked choke and strangled Asakura, who had never lost by submission in his fighting career. Long live the Pantoja era!
UFC 310 results
Main Card
Flyweight Championship (up to 56,7 kg): Alexandre Pantoja defeated Kai Asakura by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:55 of Round 2.
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Shavkat Rakhmonov defeated Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Ciryl Gane defeated Alexander Volkov by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Bryce Mitchell defeated Kron Gracie by knockout at 4:21 of round 3.
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Doo Ho Choi defeated Nate Landwehr by technical knockout at 3:21 of round 3.
Preliminary Card
Light heavyweight (up to 92,9 kg): Dominick Reyes defeated Anthony Smith by technical knockout at 4:46 of round 2.
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Vicente Luque submitted Themba Gorimbo with a triangle choke at 52 seconds of round 2.
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Movsar Evloev defeated Aljamain Sterling by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Bryan Battle defeated Randy Brown by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Catchweight (up to 88,4 kg): Eryk Anders defeated Chris Weidman by technical knockout at 4:51 of round 2.
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Joshua Van defeated Cody Durden by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Michael Chiesa defeated Max Griffin by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:56 of round 3.
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Chase Hooper defeated Clay Guida by submission (armbar) at 3:41 of Round 1.
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Kennedy Nzechukwu defeated Lukasz Brzeski by knockout at 4:51 of round 1.
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