UFC 310 is sneaky good. The final mixed martial arts pay-per-view of the year lacks big draws. Still, it rewards the hardcore fan with plenty of interesting fights beyond the main event Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura.
The co-main event is likely to generate the most interest worldwide. Shavkat Rakhmonov will no longer fight UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, but will instead face his undefeated competitor and former training partner Ian Machado Garry. The winner will clearly be the welterweight challenger most deserving of the title.
Bryce Mitchell, Aljamain Sterling, Nate Landwehr and Ciryl Gane are among the other fighters to keep an eye on. Take a look at three fights and two honorable mentions worth your attention on Saturday.
Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Machado Garry
Many would say Rakhmonov vs. Garry is the main event. It certainly feels that way. Rakhmonov and Garry were scheduled to headline UFC cards in consecutive weeks. Rakhmonov was booked to challenge UFC welterweight champion Muhammad at UFC 310; Meanwhile, Garry was preparing to fight Joaquin Buckley at UFC Fight Night in Tampa on December 14th. A Bone infection forced Muhammad out of his title defense, paving the way for the new co-main event of UFC 310. Rakhmonov (18-0) and Garry (15-0) are arguably the two biggest contenders in the welterweight division. Rakhmonov is an unstoppable force, finishing off every opponent he has fought. Garry's highlight reel isn't quite as extensive, but he's a dynamic striker with a proven ability to win fights. Two undefeated contenders fight for the title: what's not to love?
Bryce Mitchell vs Kron Gracie
Listen to me. Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling is an objectively higher quality fight with more at stake. But Mitchell vs. Gracie is absurdly curious. Evloev and Sterling are far too skilled to cause any upsets. Mitchell and especially Gracie are elite grapplers with enough flaws to generate intrigue. Josh Emmett brutally destroyed Mitchell's potential as a title contender a year ago. Mitchell faces a fighter who needs an even longer break. As his last name suggests, Gracie is a submission specialist. Gracie submitted Alex Caceres in his UFC debut in February 2019, was attacked by Cub Swanson eight months later, and then disappeared until his loss to Charles Jourdain in May 2023. Gracie fights so rarely that his presence on a map is always noticeable. I have no idea what to expect, but Mitchell should win comfortably against a weaker opponent.
Nate Landwehr vs. Doo Ho Choi
UFC 310 starts with a bang. Nate “The Train” vs. “The Korean Super Boy” is an easy frontrunner for Fight of the Night. On average, the Landwehr fires more than six shots per minute. Choi absorbs more punches than he lands. These featherweights have combined to win nine post-fight bonuses in their last 12 fights, so a tenth seems possible. Landwehr is on a solid run, having won four of his last five fights. Choi looked like a potential breakout star before the wheels fell off. Choi's victory over Bill Algeo in July was his first since 2016, hopefully a sign of things to come. Do not go to the bathroom during this argument. Don't even blink.
Honorable Mentions: Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling, Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
