Tag: Alexandre Pantoja

UFC 310 ‘Embedded,’ No. 5: Ian Machado Garry gives Charles Oliveira’s shoe game a supreme elevation

In the fifth episode of UFC 310 “Embedded,” welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry proves he’s got made shoe game with Charles Oliveira.

The UFC is back in Las Vegas for UFC 310, its final pay-per-view of the calendar. year, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 310 (pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

In the headliner, flyweight champion [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) takes on [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag] (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who will make his promotional debut in a title fight – a rarity. The co-feature is a fight between unbeaten welterweights [autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] (15-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) and [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC).

The fifth episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Shavkat Rakhmonov gets in a training session at the PI; UFC 310 athletes make their media day rounds; Kron Gracie has a night time run; Ian Machado Garry goes shoe shopping with Charles Oliveira; Kai Asakura shows off his press conference outfit; The stars of UFC 310 gather on stage for the pre-fight press conference.

Previous UFC 310 ‘Embedded’ episodes

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.

UFC 310 video: Flyweight no problem for Kai Asakura, Alexandre Pantoja

Kai Asakura answered weight-cutting questions when he hit flyweight for the first time since 2017 at UFC 310 weigh-ins.

LAS VEGAS – In case there were questions about [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag]’s ability to make flyweight after competing outside the division for seven years, he answered them Friday.

The main event for the UFC’s final pay-per-view of the year is official after the headliners made weight at the UFC Apex.

Ahead of UFC 310 (ESPN+), which takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, flyweight champion [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) and debuting challenger Asakura (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) stepped on the scale at the official weigh-ins.

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Pantoja weighed in early in the window as the second fighter out of the entire UFC 310 pack. He came in 0.5 pounds below championship weight at 124.5, but didn’t appear too drained as he hit a flex.

A focal point of the UFC 310 build has been the unknown surrounding Asakura’s ability to make flyweight. He hadn’t fought that low in weight since 2017, but Friday hit his mark on the scale also at 124.5

Check out the video from their trips to the scale above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.

UFC 310 faceoff video: Alexandre Pantoja, Kai Asakura square up for first time

UFC 310 headliners Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura squared off for the first time Thursday in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS – The UFC flyweight title will be on the line Saturday at T-Mobile Arena, and Thursday the two championship fighters came face-to-face for the first time.

Champion [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) welcomes former RIZIN champion [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag] (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) to the promotion in the UFC 310 main event (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, Hulu, ESPN+).

Pantoja aims to defend his title for the third time after successful defenses against Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg. Asakura aims to burst onto the international scene after rising to star power in Japan.

The two fighters squared off following the conclusion of a pre-fight news conference Thursday at MGM Grand Garden Arena and remained respectful, yet intense.

Check out their faceoff in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.

UFC 310 ‘Embedded,’ No. 4: Alexandre Pantoja cranks it up with Vegas Knights

In the fourth episode of UFC 310 “Embedded,” flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja takes in his first hockey game – and gets a special honor.

The UFC is back in Las Vegas for UFC 310, its final pay-per-view of the calendar. year, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 310 (pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

In the headliner, flyweight champion [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) takes on [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag] (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who will make his promotional debut in a title fight – a rarity. The co-feature is a fight between unbeaten welterweights [autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] (15-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) and [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC).

The fourth episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

UFC 310 Fight Week kicks off with fighter check-ins; Themba Gorimbo has a gift for his manager; Alexander Volkov goes on a hike with his son; Ian Machado Garry goes on a helicopter flight over Las Vegas with his family; Kai Asakura has strength and endurance training at UFC APEX; Alexandre Pantoja hypes the crowd at the Vegas Golden Knights game.

Previous UFC 310 ‘Embedded’ episodes

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.

UFC 310 preview: What’s at stake in key matchups at 2024’s final pay-per-view?

UFC will close out its 2024 PPV schedule in style with a UFC 310, and there’s a number of compelling storylines across the lineup.

[anyclip-media thumbnail=”undefined” playlistId=”undefined” content=”dW5kZWZpbmVk”][/anyclip-media]The UFC’s 2024 pay-per-view schedule comes to a conclusion on Saturday with UFC 310, which goes down at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+).

Although it doesn’t feature the biggest stars on the roster, there are a number of compelling bouts on tap – from the flyweight title headliner of [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag] to the welterweight title eliminator co-main event of [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] to the key heavyweight matchup of [autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Alexander Volkov[/autotag]. And there are other notable pairings, including [autotag]Movsar Evloev[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag], [autotag]Randy Brown[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Bryan Battle[/autotag] and more.

There’s much on the line across the 14-bout card, and the “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Matthew Wells and Mike Bohn joined host “Gorgeous” George Garcia on this week’s episode of the roundtable show to break down the most important storylines.

Check out the video above for the complete UFC 310 preview, or watch below for the entire episode of “Spinning Back Clique.”

https://www.youtube.com/live/QS2G4RQdRo0

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.

Alexandre Pantoja recalls moment Kai Asakura earned his respect, before he knew the name

In 2019, Alexandre Pantoja didn’t know who Kai Asakura was but he was forced to respect him.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] remembers hearing the name [autotag]Kai Askaura[/autotag] for the first time.

It was 2019, and Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) suddenly was interested to learn more. Asakura (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) had just knocked out Kyoji Horiguchi, a teammate Pantoja holds in the highest regard.

“I got more attention about him, ‘Who is this guy, who can beat Kyoji because Kyoji is so good?’ I realized I have a very good fighter to fight,” Pantoja told MMA Junkie and other reporters Wednesday.

Fast forward five years later, and Pantoja did a different sort of deep dive in the form of a tape study. Asakura departed RIZIN and entered straight into a title shot vs. Pantoja, which takes place Saturday at UFC 310.

“I’ve started to study him more, and I see he fought Manel Kape,” Pantoja said. “He won one time and lost one time. He fought Ulka Sasaki. I fought with the same guy before. Good coincidence, and I’m so happy for that fight. It makes that like a crossover. It’s opened doors for a lot of good fighters all across the world. You have so many good promotions, but of course, everyone wants the belt in the UFC. I think it’s going to be a good test not just for me but for everyone to see a UFC champ vs. another guy who is a former champion for another promotion.”

Pantoja loves this fight, for a handful of reasons. The biggest might be that it’s a fresh matchup. Had Askaura not entered the fray, Pantoja would’ve likely had to fight Brandon Moreno or Brandon Royval, fighters that he’s already beaten twice, or someone further down in the rankings.

“After my fight with Erceg, I looked at the rankings and tried to figure out who is going to be my next opponent,” Pantoja said. “Kai Asakura, I think that’s a very good movement. That’s the power of the UFC, bringing a champion from another promotion. The guy just left his belt to fight for the UFC, try to fight for the belt. That’s what I think if you want to be the best fighter in the world, that’s what he thinks, you need to win the UFC belt.

“I respect all the promotions, but everybody knows about how big is UFC and if you want to show all the world that you are the best, you need the UFC belt. When they bring the name Asakura, for me, I think it’s a perfect challenge. I’m super excited for that fight. It’s a very exciting fight. It’s someone I never figured out I had the chance to fight. That’s what I want. I want to fight with the best fighters in the world. The UFC just gave me that opportunity.”

Askaura has billed himself as a force the likes of which UFC fans have never seen before. Pantoja pushed back against that assessment. While he sees Asakura as aggressive, Pantoja doesn’t thinking fighting the most exciting way possible and fighting the best way possible align.

“Everybody can see the same thing I watch,” Pantoja said. “He’s a very good striker. He’s got nasty knees and comes forward. He’s like an old time in PRIDE. That fight style is what he has. But in the UFC is different. There are so many good grapplers here. I proved maybe I’m the best one in my division, maybe in the top 10 of UFC grapplers, you know? I think I can take advantage about that. Of course, I’m fighting MMA. I can use my striking. But I’ve also got my grappling, too.

“I win much more fights when I start to fight MMA, not just go there and make it a street fighter, you know. I learned how to win the fights. I learned a lot with my coach and that’s what I’m going to do on Saturday, I’m going to win the fight.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.

UFC 310’s Kai Asakura vows to ‘take over’ UFC flyweight division, dethrone Alexandre Pantoja

Fighting for the UFC flyweight belt at UFC 310, Kai Asakura says there’s a new king in town.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag] feels the UFC flyweight division is in need of a change, and he promises to be just that.

The former RIZIN FF bantamweight champion debuts in the octagon this Saturday in the main event of UFC 310 (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, Hulu, ESPN+). In a not-often-seen opportunity, the Japanese star will challenge for a UFC belt in his debut, as he takes on flyweight champion [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag].

“When I signed my contract with the UFC, I told them I could fight at flyweight and bantamweight, and as discussions progressed, I said to them, ‘Look, we can bring some excitement into this division, so it would be better for me to fight at flyweight for you,’ so that’s why I’m fighting at flyweight,” Asakura said through an interpreter at Wednesday’s UFC 310 media day.

Asakura (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) feels he brings an exciting style that’s never been seen before in the promotion – which will add value to the 125-pound division, a weight class some see as lacking in excitement.

“The UFC fans have never seen anybody like me fight before,” Asakura said. “I always aim to go for the KO finish, and I’m here to bring excitement back to the flyweight division.”

But Asakura doesn’t just intend to spice things up in his new promotion. He believes part of the excitement will go beyond his fighting style, and that means dethroning Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC).

“I don’t have any feeling that Pantoja is too old, I actually think he’s probably at the peak of his performance,” Asakura said when asked about Pantoja. “He’s an excellent and all-around fighter. For me, it’s obvious that going into the future there needs to be a change and a new king in town, and that’s why I’m here, to take over the flyweight division.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.

Kai Kara-France confident he could ‘definitely’ knock out UFC 310 headliners Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura

Kai Kara-France likes his chances against either UFC 310 headliner.

[autotag]Kai Kara-France[/autotag] likes his chances against either UFC 310 headliner.

Flyweight champion [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) defends his title against former RIZIN champion [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag] (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) in Saturday’s main event (pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Kara-France (24-11 MMA, 7-4 UFC) is coming off a knockout win over former title challenger Steve Erceg at UFC 305 in August. He was initially surprised to see a newcomer get the title fight, but looks forward to someday challenging the winner of Pantoja vs. Asakura.

“I feel like I could definitely knock out Kai or Pantoja,” Kara-France said in an interview with Engage. “So, that’s why I’ll be tuning in. …If Pantoja wins, let’s fight in New Zealand. I’ll headline it, me and him for the title, in front of my people.

“I’m sure he wants to travel, come down under and get to see something different. That would be a dream. There’s a story (if Asakura wins) as well. I would love to go back over there, fight in Super Saitama Arena, in front of all the Japanese fans and fight for the title there. That would be awesome.”

Although Kara-France’s win over Erceg snapped a two-fight losing skid, “Don’t Blink” explains why him facing the winner of Pantoja vs. Asakura would make sense.

“I feel like I had done enough,” Kara-France said. “Just the state of the flyweight division, everyone’s fought everyone two or three times now. I haven’t fought Pantoja since 2016 being on ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ and that was only two rounds. That should have gone to a third round because that was a close fight, but look how much time has passed, eight years.

“We’re both the face of the flyweight division. Him as a champ now, Pantoja, doing really well. I haven’t fought him in the UFC, but I’ve fought (Brandon) Moreno, (Brandon) Royval, and I’ve fought Amir (Albazi), and those are the only guys in front of me. So, it just makes sense for me to fight Pantoja if he gets past Kai Asakura, and if he (Asakura) wins, then Kai vs. Kai.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.

UFC 310 ‘Embedded,’ No. 3: Ian Machado Garry ‘ready to do the dance’

In the third episode of UFC 310 “Embedded,” Ian Machado Garry can’t hardly contain his excitement to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov.

The UFC is back in Las Vegas for UFC 310, its final pay-per-view of the calendar. year, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 310 (pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

In the headliner, flyweight champion [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) takes on [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag] (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who will make his promotional debut in a title fight – a rarity. The co-feature is a fight between unbeaten welterweights [autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] (15-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) and [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC).

The third episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Ciryl Gane hits pads in the PI; Aljamain Sterling crosses paths with his opponent, Movsar Evloev; Champ Alexandre Pantoja and other athletes arrive in Las Vegas; Bryan Battle gets his hair dyed; Themba Gorimbo pauses training to watch WWE; Ian Machado Garry has a strength training session.

Previous UFC 310 ‘Embedded’ episodes

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.

UFC 310 ‘Embedded,’ No. 2: Themba Gorimbo’s fight week meals > your fight week meals

On the second episode of the UFC’s long-running behind-the-scenes fight week series, Themba Gorimbo crushes a fight week meal.

The UFC is back in Las Vegas for UFC 310, its final pay-per-view of the calendar. year, and the popular “Embedded” fight week video series is here to document what’s happening behind the scenes.

UFC 310 (pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

In the headliner, flyweight champion [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) takes on [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag] (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who will make his promotional debut in a title fight – a rarity. The co-feature is a fight between unbeaten welterweights [autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] (15-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) and [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC).

The second episode of “Embedded” follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC’s description of the episode from YouTube:

Alexander Volkov cooks for his team; Bryan Battle races go karts with his family; Champ Alexandre Pantoja trains in Florida; Kai Asakura has a Las Vegas photo shoot; Randy Brown gets in a pads session; Bryce Mitchell runs into B.J. Penn; Themba Gorimbo has dinner at an African restaurant.

Also see:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.