Tag: UFC 310

Kamaru Usman breaks silence on potential UFC 310 fight vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov

Kamaru Usman expressed a willingness to step in on short notice at UFC 310 but wasn’t clear about being contacted by UFC matchmakers.

It’s been a week since welterweight champion Belal Muhammad revealed news of a foot infection forced him out of UFC 310, and there’s been a lot of talk about what will happen with his opponent, [autotag]Shavkhat Rakhmonov[/autotag], but still nothing has been set.

One possibility being talked about is for Rakhmonov to meet former 170-pound champ [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] for an interim belt at the Dec. 7 pay-per-view event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While Rakhmonov has lobbied for that matchup to take place, things are still up in the air.

On Thursday’s episode of his “Pound 4 Pound” podcast with Henry Cejudo, Usman expressed a willingness to step in on short notice but wasn’t clear about being contacted by UFC matchmakers as he commented on the situation for the first time.

“The UFC is gonna call who they think is gonna be legit tough enough and man enough to step in there, is crazy enough to step in there on short notice, and go out there and possibly shock the world,” Usman said. “Definitely the UFC knows who to call when that situation happens. And if they do give me a call, I’m gonna answer the call, get a couple things straight, and if we’ve got to do it, we’ve got to do it. I don’t shy away from any of that.”

Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) has been called upon for two major short-notice fights in recent years. While he was champion, he accepted a fight with Jorge Masvidal on six days’ notice in July 2020 at UFC 251. Usman last year stepped in on less than two weeks’ notice to fight Khamzat Chimaev in a middleweight bout at UFC 294. Usman beat Masvidal by unanimous decision but lost a majority decision to Chimaev.

Usman, 37, is on a three-fight losing, having not competed since the loss to Chimaev in October 2023. Prior to that, Usman dropped back-to-back title fights against Leon Edwards – first losing his title by fifth-round knockout at UFC 278 then coming up short in the rematch (trilogy) by majority decision at UFC 286.

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

Colby Covington reveals he offered to fight Shavkat Rakhamonov at UFC 310

Colby Covington says he threw his name in the hat to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310.

[autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] says he threw his name in the hat to fight [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] at UFC 310.

Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) was scheduled to challenge welterweight champion Belal Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) in the Dec. 7 headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but Muhammad withdrew due to a bone infection in his foot.

Former multiple-time title challenger Covington (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) revealed that he offered to step in vs. Rakhmonov, but the UFC was working on something else.

“I offered. I told the UFC that I was willing to step up to the plate,” Covington told Submission Radio. “I would love to save the show and put on a good show for the fans. They pay their hard-earned money for big, megafights. They need a megafight. That’s not a mega fight. They need someone who is going to put asses in seats and entertain people, so I was excited. I wanted the fight, and I asked for it but I think they have other plans.”

Covington is confident he’d be a bad matchup for unbeaten Rakhmonov, who boasts a 100 percent finish rate.

“I can walk him down and pressure him, and he’s not going to like my pressure,” Covington said. “He doesn’t do very well with southpaws. We saw how he did with the busboy, Geoff Neal. That was a very competitive fight. He hasn’t fought a top, top contender yet. He’s fought some gatekeepers of the division, some guys on the cusp of the top 10, but he’s never fought a champion like me – a guy who’s going to come at him for five straight rounds and just walk him down.

“I match up well. He stands very tall. I don’t see anything special with him. He has some good submissions. He’s slick, but that’s when he can control the wrestling. He’s not going to control the wrestling on me, so I think I can beat him pretty easily, and I think it’s a favorable fight, and it’s a fight that I want in the future whether he wins or loses in December.”

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

UFC champ Alexandre Pantoja skeptical of Henry Cejudo’s flyweight tease

UFC flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja isn’t taking Henry Cejudo’s comments of a potential drop to 125 pounds too seriously.

Just a couple of months ago, former UFC two-division champion [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] expressed interest in a potential return to flyweight, but the division’s current champion isn’t buying it as [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] doesn’t think Cejudo is seriously considering a drop from bantamweight.

Pantoja doesn’t have the confidence in Cejudo’s ability to get back down to 125 pounds at age 37 – unless maybe there’s medical intervention.

“When you go to the surgery doctor, yeah, he needs (liposuction) to make the weight,” Pantoja told MMA Junkie jokingly. “I don’t think he can make the weight again. He’s too big.”

Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC), who returns to defend his belt against Japan’s Kai Asakura at UFC 310 on Dec. 7 in Las Vegas, likes the fight with Cejudo and sees it as a dream matchup. He just doesn’t think it can happen at 125 pounds.

“I’d love the opportunity,” Pnatoja said. “If Cejudo can do that, I’ll give him five pounds to fight. It will be a dream to fight with Cejudo, of course. He’s a legend.”

Pantoja and Cejudo share history. Cejudo was Pantoja’s coach during Pantoja’s stint on “The Ultimate Fighter” back in 2016. Yet, despite both competing at flyweight for several years, the two have never crossed paths.

Pantoja is now on a six-fight winning streak with two title defenses, while Cejudo is coming off two consecutive defeats, with one against then-champion Aljamain Sterling for the UFC bantamweight title.

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Michael Bisping suggests Leon Edwards step in against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310

Michael Bisping believes former UFC champ Leon Edwards has everything to gain by stepping in vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov.

UFC Hall of Famer [autotag]Michael Bisping[/autotag] believes [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] has everything to gain by stepping in vs. [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag].

Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) was scheduled to challenge welterweight champion Belal Muhammad (22-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC) in the UFC 310 main event Dec. 7 at T-Mobile in Las Vegas, but a foot infection forced Muhammad out of the bout. Rakhmonov wants to remain on the card and preferably compete for the interim welterweight title. Rakhmonov lobbied for former champion Kamaru Usman, but Bisping pitched a different idea – Edwards (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC), who lost his welterweight title to Muhammad at UFC 304 in July.

“For Leon Edwards, this does everything,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “You beat Shavkat Rakhmonov, you are the man. You step up, you are the man. You beat this man that’s finishing everybody, what does that do for you? Well, then you’re right back in the title conversation. In fact, you will be probably getting a rematch against Belal Muhammad, and they will probably do that in America

“So, there wouldn’t be that crazy time difference, and that was what Leon pointed to. … He wants to get his hands on Belal Muhammad once again. He wants to right the wrongs. He wants to prove to the world and to himself that he’s the better man. But more importantly, to get back to becoming the welterweight champion of the world.”

Edwards has remained silent for the most part since his title loss to Muhammad but immediately after the fight, he vowed to “get this back in blood.” Bisping doesn’t see a need for an interim title, and neither does Muhammad, who said he’ll only need six weeks to recover.

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

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC 310 title fight

Flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja being favored to beat newcomer Kai Asakura at UFC 310 shouldn’t come as a surprise.

A UFC newcomer is jumping right into a title shot as [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag] is set to challenge flyweight champion [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] at UFC 310.

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura preview

Asakura (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) provides some new blood at the top of the UFC’s 125-pound division, especially given Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) holds title-fight victories over three of the four fighters ranked behind him.

Asakura has made his name in his native Japan, competing for Rizin since December 2017. Asakura is a two-time Rizin bantamweight champion. He split a pair of matchups with former UFC and Bellator champ Kyoji Horiguchi, lost his title to Manel Kape in December 2019, and most recently defeated former Bellator champ Juan Archuleta by second-round TKO in December 2023.

Pantoja will seek his third consecutive title defense. After winning a split decision against Brandon Moreno to claim the belt in July 2023, Pantoja followed up with wins over Brandon Royval and most recently Steve Erceg this past May at UFC 301.

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura odds

The oddsmakers favor the sitting champion, with Pantoja listed at -218 and Asakura coming back at +180 via DraftKings.

How to watch Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura at UFC 310

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024
  • Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
  • Broadcast/streaming: ESPN+ pay-per-view

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

Based on past training sessions, Shavkat Rakhmonov ‘pretty confident’ in potential Ian Machado Garry fight

Shavkat Rakhmonov explains why he’s not worried about a future showdown with Ian Machado Garry.

[autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] is not worried about a future showdown with [autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag].

When welterweight champion Belal Muhammad withdrew from his title defense against Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) at UFC 310 on Dec. 7 due to a bone infection, Machado Garry (15-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) campaigned to fight Rakhmonov on the same card. However, shortly after, the promotion announced that Machado Garry will face Joaquin Buckley (20-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) in the UFC on ESPN 63 headliner on Dec. 14 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.

If a fight between Rakhmonov and his former Kill Cliff FC teammate ever does materialize, their history makes “Nomad” confident.

“To be honest, I don’t care,” Rakhmonov said through an interpreter on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “I’m ready if it’s going to be him after he wins his next fight. If it is, it could be good for both of us. We can do it. If he wants to try and take my zero, he can try, but I know the same thing is going to happen that’s happened in the training.

“I’m going to just keep it the same way, and I’m pretty confident that I’m going to beat him. … You know, it’s just training. I don’t want to praise myself too much. It’s just training, but I feel comfortable with how the training went. Whether it was striking or the ground, I felt comfortable and in control. So, I’m pretty confident in this matchup.”

Rakhmonov is currently lobbying for an interim title fight against Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC), but the UFC is yet to announce a replacement fight.

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

Overreaction Time: UFC drops the ball, Colby Covington’s time up, DDP makes a big mistake, more!

Check out the latest episode of “Overreaction Time” as host Simon Samano and Mike Bohn cover big UFC event developments and more.

The time for overreacting is here!

Check out the latest episode of “Overreaction Time” at noon ET/9 a.m. PT as host Simon Samano and MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn debate these “overreactions” on the following topics in mixed martial arts:

  • UFC dropped the ball by not booking [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag] at UFC 310.
  • [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] should be cut from the UFC.
  • [autotag]Brandon Moreno[/autotag] has another UFC flyweight title run in him – and this one will last a while.
  • [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag] wanting [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] instead of [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] is a big mistake.
  • Just a reminder: [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] has no chance of beating [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag].

Watch the full episode in the video above.

Shavkat Rakhmonov lobbies for UFC 310 interim title fight vs. Kamaru Usman

Shavkat Rakhmonov is willing to save UFC 310, preferably by fighting for the interim welterweight title.

[autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] is willing to save UFC 310, preferably by fighting for the interim welterweight title.

Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) was scheduled to challenge champion Belal Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) in the Dec. 7 main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but Muhammad was forced out due to a bone infection in his foot.

Having not competed since submitting Stephen Thompson this past December at UFC 296, undefeated Rakhmonov is eager for his title opportunity. He suggested an interim welterweight title fight vs. former champ [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC).

“I believe there are worthy opponents available,” Rakhmonov said through an interpreter on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “I’m ready to save the card too if it’s for the interim belt. I believe Usman is a worthy opponent who’s going to be ready to jump in to face me.”

Rakhmonov’s manager, Sayat Abdrakhmanov, revealed that the UFC is currently working on finding him an opponent for UFC 310.

“Right now, negotiations are going on,” Abdrakhmanov said. “Obviously there’s talking. I don’t know if they are talking to someone else, but I’m sure they offered it to Kamaru, too.”

Muhammad dismissed the idea of an interim title, claiming that he only needs six weeks to heal. Rakhmonov expects Muhammad to be out for longer than that and thinks winning the interim belt would only make their fight bigger.

“We don’t know when Belal is going to be back,” Rakhmonov said. “These kind of injuries, infections, they might say it’s six weeks, but look at JDM (Jack Della Maddalena). It took him a lot longer. It’s good for Belal, too, because it’s going to make the fight bigger. It’s going to be champ vs. champ, so whenever Belal is ready, after I secure the interim title, I’m going to fight him.”

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

Video: Should interim welterweight title be implemented with Belal Muhammad out of UFC 310?

Should UFC implement an interim title following Belal Muhammad’s UFC 310 withdrawal? We discuss on “Spinning Back Clique.”

Bad news: Welterweight champion [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] is out of UFC 310, and that leaves the division in a bit of a quandary. 

Muhammad suffered a nasty toe infection that left him no choice but to pull out of his first UFC title defense, which was scheduled to be against undefeated contender [autotag]Shavkat Rahkmono[/autotag] in the UFC 310 main event on Dec. 7. Muhammad’s withdrawal puts the UFC in a tricky situation as it traditionally bolsters its final pay-per-view of the year.

So, who could slide in as a replacement for UFC 310? Should the UFC consider implementing an interim welterweight title? If so, who should fight for it?

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Nolan King, Danny Segura, and host Gorgeous George discuss the latest surrounding Muhammad’s injury and how it can impact UFC 310 and the landscape of the welterweight division.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

https://youtube.com/live/G_MvMlbjAX0

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Magomed Ankalaev: UFC champ Alex Pereira knows all too well not to fight me on short notice

Magomed Ankalaev claims he was ready to save UFC 310, but Alex Pereira wasn’t.

[autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] claims he was ready to save UFC 310, but [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] wasn’t.

Ankalaev is eager to get his title shot against light heavyweight champion Pereira, to the point that he’s even willing to do it without a full camp. When welterweight champion Belal Muhammad was forced out of his title defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov, UFC 310 on Dec. 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas lost it’s main event.

Both Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) and Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) hinted that they’d be ready to replace that fight, but Ankalaev says only he was.

“Fake news, I’m the only one who was ready for December but he deserve rest.”

Pereira has competed in three title fights in the span of six months, knocking out Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and most recently Khalil Rountree at UFC 307 in October.

He revealed in an interview with Brazilian podcast Podpah (h/t MMA Fighting) that his hand is still hurting him from his fight against Rountree.

“That fourth round, I was throwing jabs and hurting my hand,” Pereira said. “I swear. I was thinking, ‘My hand must be broken.’ It still hurts. Not all the time, no, but if I squeeze here, it hurts.”

Riding a 13-fight unbeaten streak, most recently defeating Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308, Ankalaev jibed at Pereira for not accepting to fight him on short notice.

“Willing to fight everyone short notice but with me, he knows he have to be ready, he’s not stupid.”

Ankalaev also said that his title fight with Pereira could happen in the first quarter of 2025.

“I was offered three dates December, February, and March and I agreed to all three dates I have to win by KO I have no problem. It is condition.”

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