UFC 310: Pantoja vs. Asakura Headlines Year-End Finale in Las Vegas

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) concludes its 2024 pay-per-view schedule with UFC 310, headlined by a flyweight title bout between champion Alexandre Pantoja and challenger Kai Asakura. The event is scheduled for December 7, 2024, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. While the promotion has hosted events in diverse locations, no official UFC card has ever taken place at the White House, contrary to speculative reports regarding a “UFC Freedom 250.”

Flyweight Championship: Pantoja vs. Asakura

Alexandre Pantoja enters the cage looking to secure his third consecutive title defense. According to UFC official records, Pantoja claimed the flyweight throne in July 2023 at UFC 290 and has since defended the strap against Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg. His opponent, Kai Asakura, makes his promotional debut as a former RIZIN Fighting Federation bantamweight champion. This contest marks a significant shift in the division, as Asakura brings a high-volume striking pedigree directly into a title opportunity, a rare occurrence for a newcomer in the UFC.

Co-Main Event: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Machado Garry

The co-main event features a high-stakes welterweight clash between undefeated prospect Shavkat Rakhmonov and rising contender Ian Machado Garry. Originally, Rakhmonov was slated to face champion Belal Muhammad; however, that fight was canceled after Muhammad withdrew due to a bone infection, as confirmed by ESPN MMA. The matchup between Rakhmonov and Garry serves as a pivotal eliminator for the 170-pound division, pitting two of the sport’s most highly touted strikers against one another.

Why UFC 310 Matters for the Division

UFC 310 serves as the final barometer for the 2024 fighter rankings. The flyweight division has seen rapid turnover since the departure of former dominant champion Demetrious Johnson, and Pantoja’s ability to stabilize the weight class remains a key narrative. Furthermore, the welterweight landscape remains in flux following Leon Edwards’ loss to Belal Muhammad earlier this year. The winner of the Rakhmonov-Garry bout is widely expected to secure the next shot at the undisputed welterweight championship in 2025.

Event Logistics and Viewing Information

UFC 310 will be broadcast live via ESPN+ pay-per-view. Preliminary bouts are scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. ET, with the main card starting at 10:00 p.m. ET. Fans can access the event through the official ESPN+ platform, which remains the exclusive digital distributor for all numbered UFC events in the United States. Unlike speculative event listings, the UFC maintains a standardized schedule primarily utilizing major arenas in Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, and other global hubs with established athletic commission infrastructure.

Key Takeaways for UFC 310

• Main Event: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura for the flyweight title.
• Co-Main Event: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Machado Garry in a welterweight contender bout.
• Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Date: December 7, 2024.
• Broadcaster: ESPN+ Pay-Per-View.

As the promotion heads into 2025, the results of these two marquee fights will dictate the matchmaking strategy for the first quarter of the new year. With both the flyweight and welterweight divisions currently lacking a single, undisputed “face” of the weight class, the outcomes in Las Vegas are expected to provide much-needed clarity for the rankings committee.