For one final time in 2024, the UFC heads to Las Vegas for the last pay-per-view card of the year, UFC 310. Going live from the world-famous T-Mobile Arena, reigning flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja puts his strap on the line against a debuting Kai Asakura. Having last claimed the Rizin Bantamweight Championship in his most recent bout, the Japanese star is looking to add coveted UFC gold to his collection, as well as prove he is one of the top fighters on the planet. Making the third defense of his title in his second consecutive main event, Pantoja faces arguably his toughest test of his tenure as the 125-lb standard, a test that the incumbent fully acknowledges.
In the penultimate fight of the night, two undefeated welterweight juggernauts collide in a battle for supremacy and, above all else, a shot at the 170-lb. throne opposite current champion Belal Muhammad. In his first outing to the Octagon in almost a year, Uzbekistan native Shavkat Rakhmonov will come to blows with fellow rising contender Ian Machado Garry. Having already been scheduled to face Muhammad before “Remember the Name” was unfortunately pulled from the card due to illness, Rakhmonov has a lot to lose should he fail to get his hand raised tomorrow. After defeating Geoff Neal and Michael Page earlier this year, the streaking Garry also stands on the cusp of his first title fight, and a victory over the equally unblemished “Nomad” would all but guarantee him a championship headliner in 2025.
More Bouts On the Main Card
Returning to competition after a lengthy lay off, French mixed martial arts icon Ciryl Gane meets old foe Alexander Volkov in an anticipated rematch from their first run in more than three years ago at UFC Vegas 30. Coming up short in his two championship opportunities to both Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones, “Bon Gamin” could put himself at the front of the line for the next crack at heavyweight gold if he manages to score a second win over the Russian. Since being submitted by Interim title holder Tom back in 2022, Volkov has looked phenomenal as of late, embarking on an impressive four fight win streak, defeating Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Alexander Romanov, Tai Tuivasa, and Sergei Pavlovich.
Elsewhere on the main card, featherweight submission aces Bryce Mitchell and Kron Gracie meet up in what may surely result in a glorious display of high-level grappling between two BJJ black belts. Looking to rebound following a scary knockout loss to Josh Emmett at UFC 296, Mitchell finds himself encountering one of the few people in the division who can match his aptitude for Jiu-Jitsu. In dire need of a victory himself, Gracie is seeking to end a two bout losing streak, in addition to getting back into the good graces of the fans after a lackluster outing at 288.
Kicking off the festivities on the final pay-per-view card this year, we have another rip-roaring 145-lb showdown, this time between the always game Nate Landwehr and Doo-ho Choi. Taking home a Performance of the Night bonus in his last fight, the fan-favorite Landwehr strives to continue his ascent of the featherweight ladder with another $50,000 check. Competing for the second time this year, Choi will want to end 2024 with a statement win after previously knocking out Bill Algeo in Vegas back in July.
Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL) with Bellator MMA, ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
PFL and Bellator MMA see picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2024 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.
Find our UFC 310 picks and fight odds below.
Nate Landwehr -130
vs.
Doo-ho Choi +110
FEATHERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Landwehr via Round 2 TKO
Hank Strandberg: Landwehr via Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Landwehr via Unanimous Decision
Nate Freeman: Landwehr via Split Decision
Staff picking Landwehr: 4
Staff picking Choi: 0
Bryce Mitchell -950
vs.
Kron Gracie +650
FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION
Jeremy Brand: Gracie via Round 2 Submission
Hank Strandberg: Mitchell via Round 3 Submission
Drew Zuhosky: Gracie via Unanimous Decision
Nate Freeman: Mitchell via Split Decision
Staff picking Mitchell: 2
Staff picking Gracie: 2
Ciryl Gane -370
vs.
Alexander Volkov +305
HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION
Jeremy Brand: Gane via Round 2 Knockout
Hank Strandberg: Gane via Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Gane via Round 1 Knockout
Nate Freeman: Gane via Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Gane: 4
Staff picking Volkov: 0
Shavkat Rakhmonov -365
Vs.
Ian Machado Garry +290
WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION
Jeremy Brand: Machado Garry via Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Rakhmonov via Round 3 Submission
Drew Zuhosky: Machado Garry via Third Round Knockout
Nate Freeman: Rakhmonov via Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Rakhmonov: 2
Staff picking Machado Garry: 2
Alexandre Pantoja -255
vs.
Kai Asakura +215
FLYWEIGHT DIVISION
Jeremy Brand: Asakura via Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Pantoja via Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Pantoja via Unanimous Decision
Nate Freeman: Pantoja via Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Pantoja: 3
Staff picking Asakura: 1
