Alexandre Pantoja chokes out Kai Asakura

Alexandre Pantoja denied Kai Asakura’s alternative to make historical past by changing into the primary UFC champion from Japan.

In the primary occasion of UFC 310 at T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas, Pantoja (29-5 MMA, 13-3 UFC) proved to be the superior fighter by choking out former Rizin champion and UFC newcomer Asakura (21-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC). The rear-naked choke submission got here at 2:05 of Spherical 2.

This struggle began in a blur. Pantoja rapidly closed the gap with strikes, prompting a counter leaping knee from Asakura. The champ responded with a giant punch earlier than issues slowed down within the clinch. Pantoja took the struggle to the bottom, however not a lot passed off earlier than Asakura acquired again to his toes.

The challenger darted out and in with quite a lot of strikes whereas Pantoja patiently countered and charged ahead with onerous punches and kicks when he acknowledged a chance.

Pantoja got here out aggressively in Spherical 2, utilizing strikes to setup a takedown try. Denied initially, Pantoja scrambled his solution to Asakura’s again and rapidly locked in a physique triangle.

Quickly, the rear-naked choke was slapped on, and the squeeze put Asakura to sleep.

ALEXANDRE PANTOJA SUBMITS KAI ASAKURA IN ROUND 2 💪 #UFC310 pic.twitter.com/JH5vQCW4Fs

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 8, 2024

Throughout his post-fight interview, Pantoja referred to as out retired former champion Demetrious Johnson.

“I’m the GOAT right here,” Pantoja instructed Joe Rogan within the octagon. “If you wish to show you’re the GOAT, come again.”

The consequence marks Pantoja’s third protection of the UFC flyweight title as he extends his present successful streak to seven. Pantoja claimed the title by successful a cut up resolution over Brandon Moreno and has since defeated Brandon Royval, Steve Erceg, and now Asakura.

For the previous Rizin champ, Asakura suffers defeat in a uncommon debut UFC title alternative. He entered the struggle as a winner of his two closing Rizin bouts, which have been stoppages of Yuki Motoya and Juan Archuleta.

Full UFC 310 outcomes embrace:

• Alexandre Pantoja def. Kai Asakura through submission (rear-naked choke) – Spherical 2, 2:05
• Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Ian Machado Garry through unanimous resolution (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
• Ciryl Gane def. Alexander Volkov through cut up resolution (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Bryce Mitchell def. Kron Gracie through knockout (elbows) – Spherical 3, 0:39
• Dooho Choi def. Nate Landwehr through TKO (strikes) – Spherical 3, 3:21
• Dominick Reyes def. Anthony Smith through TKO (strikes) – Spherical 2, 4:46
• Vicente Luque def. Themba Gorimbo through technical submission (D’Arce choke) – Spherical 1, 0:52
• Movsar Evloev def. Aljamain Sterling through unanimous resolution (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Bryan Battle def. Randy Brown through cut up resolution (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Eryk Anders def. Chris Weidman through TKO (punches) – Spherical 2, 4:51
• Joshua Van def. Cody Durden through unanimous resolution (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)
• Michael Chiesa def. Max Griffin through submission (rear-naked choke) – Spherical 3, 1:56
• Chase Hooper def. Clay Guida through submission (armbar) – Spherical 1, 3:41
• Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Lukasz Brzeski through TKO (strikes) – Spherical 1, 4:51

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 310.