UFC 310 full results and highlights: Alexandre Pantoja, Shavkat Rakhmonov end UFC's 2024 PPV calendar in style

Strong jab from Pantoja. Asakura returns with a big right hook. Pantoja presses in and tries to get the back, throwing a leg across Asakura's. Pantoja jumps on the back fully and gets the action to the ground. Asakura's stuck in a body triangle. Pantoja cranks for a rear-naked choke and gets it! Asakura is out. And still for the Brazilian.

Leg kick starts the action early from Asakura before a big flying knee hits the chest of Pantoja after a wild flurry. Left hand connects for a rushing Pantoja who chains it to a brief takedown. Asakura gets clinch control and then backed into a trip. They work from full guard. Asakura lands a superman punch on the get-up. Nice right straight to the body for Asakura. Big step knee lands to the body for Asakura followed by a straight. Pantoja connects up stairs. Another knee from Asakura. Asakura steps in on a left hook. Jab drom Pantoja. Big head kick from Asakura. Brief scramble ends with a knee to Asakura. Good body kick from Pantoja. Pantoja punches in to a quick clinch sequence. Another body kick from the champ. He lands a jab. Horn sounds after a wild opener.

10-9 Pantoja

As RIZIN creeps up on its 10th anniversary, we've seen several of its stars and former champions join the UFC. However, none have been from its home base of Japan. Asakura changes that when he targets history on Saturday.

Asakura, 31, is one of the lighter weight classes' best strikers. Make no mistake about it, the man shows up to trade and trades viciously. Few utilized Japan's supremely violent, free-flowing strike allowances better — Asakura stomped, soccer-kicked, and grounded-kneed opponents aplenty throughout his career. Obviously, those maneuvers are eliminated from his arsenal in UFC, but the point is Asakura takes any opening to finish.

What Asakura will lack in his grounded weapons in the UFC he'll make up for with his continuously improving precision. In back-to-back performances, the YouTube sensation finished the notoriously durable veterans Yuki Motoya and Juan Archuleta with pinpoint, soul-shattering step-in knees to the body. The timing and vision displayed by Japan's finest to pull off those knockouts is rarely seen at the highest level. And that's ignoring the dynamite packed into his mitts.

Asakura has shown weaknesses to stronger wrestlers in past losses, but has gradually improved defensively in that area over time. To close up and tighten any holes in his game, he called on the aid of former Syndicate MMA wrestling coach Billy Bigelow — a talented collegiate wrestler in his own right. Bigelow's role in Asakura's camp began with Asakura's latest run of success as his pupil honed in on anti-wrestling. It's been so far, so good in that realm, and against Pantoja, that could be his ace in the hole.

Pantoja has proven to be a vastly talented overall fighter in every department. Winning a scramble-fest against him is virtually impossible as he can grapple with the best of submission artists and come out on top. Pacing, control and adaptation are strong suits of the Brazilian, making him a legitimately great champion. He enjoys a fire-fight as well and mixes up his kicks and punches nicely. To keep opponents on their toes, he'll chain takedowns into his attacks, securing a round or potential submission.

If there's been one glaring problem with Pantoja over his reign, it's been his cardio and fading down the stretch. For Asakura, who returns to flyweight for the first time in seven years, that gas tank could be tested if the action goes late.

Ultimately, the physical attributes are all in Asakura's favor. He was a large and well-sized bantamweight despite his minimal cut, according to Bigelow. The fight will be a car crash early and the champion is well-equipped to deal with that thanks to his airbag-like supporters in past Asakura opponents Motoya, Kyoji Horiguchi and Manel Kape all helping him in camp. Between the three fighters, they've occupied five fights in Asakura's 25-fight career.

Pantoja is justifiably the favorite in this title fight as he has more ways to win. If Asakura has the good, clean, and easy weight cut Bigelow has claimed he's had, it should be all systems go and it only takes a few well-placed shots. Asakura's punches will find a home on Pantoja's chin before he can get going — that's if those crippling knees to the body don't dissolve the champion first.

Japan, you're looking at not only a clear superstar, but your first UFC champion.

Pick: Asakura

Rakhmonov whips out another spinning wheel kick that just misses. Back on the single leg, Rakhmonov almost gives up his neck, spinning to wind up with Garry on his back. Body triangle is locked and Garry is seeking the rear-naked choke. Garry can't get under the neck but tries to crush the jaw. Rakhmonov explodes and turns out to take top control! The crowd goes nuts. Garry maintains the body triangle from the bottom and tries to force his way on top of Rakhmonov. Garry backs up to the cage and finds a moment to stand as Rakhmonov holds him to the cage. Big elbow lands for Garry before they break. And that's the fight! Good stuff.

10-9 Garry (48-47 Rakhmonov.)

Nice spinning back kick to the body starts for Rakhmonov. Garry goes to the leg and the damage might be adding up. Stinging jab connects for Garry. Rakhmonov enters the clinch again, Garry defends and punches him on the way out. This time Rakhmonov goes for a deep single and gets it. They work in full guard. Hemmerfists from Rakhmonov land. Garry tries to scramble and kick him off. They scramble and Rakhmonov falls to bottom, getting up caught in a ninja choke before rolling out. He winds up on Garry's back as they press the cage standing. They break apart and miss spinning attacks that Rakhmonov turns into a takedown, giving up his neck again for a guillotine. Rakhmonov escapes to get in guard and land big punches. Round ends. Wild, wild round. It comes down to this for Ireland's own.

10-9 Rakhmonov (39-37 Rakhmonov.)

Head kick sneaks over the guard for Garry as he gets back to working the leg. Nice right hand from Rakhmonov. Nice leg kick from Garry disrupts Rakhmonov's movement and he takes a right hand afterward. Solid body jab from Rakhmonov. Garry jabs up high. Garry initiates the clinch only to get reversed. Rakhmonov controls as they move around the cage wall. Referee Marc Goddard separates them and Garry lands a high kick. Jab from Rakhmonov. Garry goes back to the leg. Spinning wheel kick from Rakhmonov almost decapitates Garry but he misses. Round ends.

10-9 Garry (29-28 Rakhmonov.)

Rakhmonov throws his first spinning attack midway through minute one of the round but pulls back on it. Garry starts chipping away at the leg with oblique kicks. A jab from Garry lands. Good jab from Rakhmonov in return. Right straight gets through for Rakhmonov. Rakhmonov steps in and swings a big right hook that grazes Garry. He pursues again and Garry clinches, getting underhooks. Rakhmonov reverses position. Rakhmonov tries to drag Garry down, moving briefly to Garry's back in the burst. Rakhmonov whips a spinning backfist after they break that just touches Garry. Horn sounds.

10-9 Rakhmonov (20-18 Rakhmonov.)

The building is rocking for this one. They bounce around for the first minute, finding range. Rakhmonov closes and gets over-unders on Garry against the cage. He switches his grip to double underhooks. Garry defends well as Rakhmonov seeks a takedown and nearly got it on a pull-away. Garry escapes the lock and Rakhmonov keeps ahold of him from behind. Garry slowly moves back to face Rakhmonov as he lets go. Garry gets double unders and attempts a takedown of his own. Rakhmonov defends and retakes control. They separate and Garry lands a leg kick before taking a huge right hand. Rakhmonov re-engages in the clinch offense, delivering some knees to the body. Round ends.

10-9 Rakhmonov

Big left-hand connects for Volkov. Volkov finds the jab. A single-leg follows and gets Gane to the ground. Volkov circles to find a better position, giving up a possible kimura. Gane holds onto the grip but slowly gets rolled over while Volkov defends. Volkov starts punching Gane's butt. Because why not? Gane gives up the hold and Volkov holds him down in the center of the Octagon. He starts to lay on some light punches. That's how it ends. The decision is incoming, and there is likely redemption for "Drago."

10-9 Volkov (29-28 Volkov.)

Gane jabs to the body. Volkov rushes in, seeking punches. A few get through but nothing major. Beautiful jab lands for Gane before he gets hit with a wild spinning backfist out of nowhere. Volkov rips off a head kick at the end of a punch combo, nearly landing flush. He finds another followed by a body kick. Gane starts to chip at the leg. Solid 1-2 from Gane. Head kick then a straight right from Volkov. Uppercut sneaks through for Gane. They exchange jabs. Big right-hand lands for Gane as he eats a knee in an exchange. Short shots in tight lead to a Gane takedown. Volkov briefly threatens with a guillotine to no avail. Gane gets up after the grip loosens. Hard body kick lands for Gane. Horn sounds.

10-9 Volkov (19-19)

Volkov starts the action with a light leg kick. A jab connects for Volkov followed by a big body kick. Volkov catches a kick and takes Gane to the mat. They work from side control. Gane postures out and stands, nearly giving up his neck for a choke. Gane holds Volkov to the cage. They separate. Volkov eats a jab. Volkov moves in, missing a right straight that's countered with a surprise Gane takedown. Volkov teases a triangle attempt that gets Gane to stand, giving up a trip. The cage keeps him standing before he drops for an ankle lock — entirely reminiscent of his Francis Ngannou fight. Volkov escapes quickly. Striking again, Volkov eats a big knee to the body while coming in for a takedown that gives Gane a guillotine. The horn sounds and Volkov survives.

10-9 Gane

I've always fancied me some Alexander Volkov and he's settled into a position as one of the more under-appreciated contenders who refuses to go away.

The former Bellator champion is a behemoth sniper at heavyweight with some of the most beautiful striking combos a big man could ask for. When he's flowing, Volkov is a force, and he's seeking redemption in this rematch with Ciryl Gane.

At heavyweight, speed and mobility have been Gane's best friends accompanied by his also great striking game. Those were the x-factors the first time around in their June 2021 bout. For 25 minutes, the Russian just couldn't catch up to Gane, and no matter the improvements he's made since, you can't teach speed.

Cage-cutting and slowing down the ultra-elusive Frenchman is the path to victory for Volkov. I believe he'll adjust properly for the most part, but the fight being a three-round affair doesn't help him whatsoever. This should mostly be a repeat of their first fight, with Gane gliding around the Octagon to methodically out-strike "Drago."

I'm not sure either outcome is better than the other for the division overall. But at least Gane's potential victory would push us closer to that fresh Tom Aspinall matchup — after our many prayers are answered that Aspinall fights Jon Jones next, of course.

Pick: Gane

Big uppercut lands for Mitchell. Gracie is visibly tired as he jumps guard again to get slammed this time. Mitchell smashes him with brutal elbows and that's it! Wow. Violence out of nowhere.