. THE FIGHTS .

UFC 310: Pantoja vs. Asakura

Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024 @ 7PM PT
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcast: Available live on ESPN+ Pay-Per-View

Main Event: Alexandre Pantoja (c) vs. Kai Asakura

• Weight Class: Flyweight Championship

• 🇧🇷 Alexandre Pantoja (26-5-0): Reigning champion, known for his elite grappling and exciting style

• 🇯🇵 Kai Asakura (20-4-0): Former two-time Rizin Bantamweight Champion making his UFC debut

Co-Main Event: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Machado Garry

• Weight Class: Welterweight

• 🇰🇿 Shavkat Rakhmonov (18-0-0): Undefeated contender with a 100% finish rate

• 🇮🇪 Ian Machado Garry (14-0-0): Rising star aiming to secure a title shot

Featured Fights:

• 🇫🇷 Ciryl Gane (12-2-0) vs. 🇷🇺 Alexander Volkov (37-10-0) (Heavyweight Rematch)

• 🇺🇸 Nick Diaz (26-10-0) vs. 🇿🇦 Themba Gorimbo (12-4-0) (Welterweight)

• 🇺🇸 Aljamain Sterling (23-4-0) vs. 🇷🇺 Movsar Evloev (18-0-0) (Featherweight)

• 🇺🇸 Chris Weidman (15-7-0) vs. 🇺🇸 Eryk Anders (15-7-0) (Catchweight, 195 lbs)

Betting Odds:

• Main Event: Alexandre Pantoja (-190) vs. Kai Asakura (+160)

• Co-Main Event: Shavkat Rakhmonov (-250) vs. Ian Machado Garry (+200)

Link to fight promo video here.

Espinoza vs. Ramirez II

Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 10:30 PM ET / 7:30 PM PT
Location: Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Broadcast: Available live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+, and Sky Sports in the U.K. and Ireland

Co-Main Event: Rafael Espinoza vs. Robeisy Ramirez II

• Weight Class: WBO Featherweight Title

• 🇲🇽 Rafael Espinoza (25-0, 21 KOs): Reigning champion, known for his height, reach, and devastating knockout power

• 🇨🇺 Robeisy Ramirez (14-2, 9 KOs): Former champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, looking to reclaim his title

After their dramatic Fight of the Year contender last December, Espinoza and Ramirez meet again in what promises to be another unforgettable clash. Espinoza edged out Ramirez in their first encounter with a majority decision, earning the WBO featherweight title in one of the year's biggest upsets. Both fighters come in with renewed focus, determined to leave no doubts this time.

Main Event: Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez II

• Weight Class: WBO Junior Lightweight Title

• 🇲🇽 Emanuel Navarrete (39-1, 31 KOs): Current champion, known for his unorthodox style and high-volume punching

• 🇲🇽 Oscar Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs): Former champion, seeking redemption after a hard-fought loss in their first encounter

Navarrete and Valdez reignite their rivalry in a junior lightweight world title rematch, with both fighters vying for Mexican boxing supremacy. Their first bout was a back-and-forth battle that captivated fans worldwide.

Link to promo video here.

. THE HIGHLIGHTS .

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol: LHW Title Rematch Set for Feb 22nd

Turki Alalshikh has confirmed that Artur Beterbiev will face Dmitry Bivol in a rematch for the undisputed light heavyweight boxing championship on Feb 22nd. The last time the two faced off, Beterbiev earned a controversial majority decision win. Next year's rematch is supported by a deep undercard, including Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker, who are fighting for the IBF heavyweight title.

Marcelo Garcia On His Return to Competition After 15 Years

Continuing the trend of legends coming out of retirement, BJJ icon Marcelo Garcia is returning to the scene to compete in the ONE Championship. Garcia explained in an interview, "I never thought about retiring. I always thought, ‘I’ll take a break.’" He wants his kids to see him compete. ONE Championship rep Leo Vieira is a good friend and was instrumental in arranging the GOAT's return.

Jake Paul Announces Retirement from Influencer Boxing

After four years, Jake Paul has decided he's outgrown the influencer boxing gimmick and is ready to turn pro. Most Valuable Promotions shared the news on Instagram, saying, "The best there was, is and ever will be. Jake Paul is RETIRED from that sport. They need him, he doesn’t need them…hence why they said his name 400 times this past week."

Khamzat Chimaev Explains Ongoing Health Issues

Chimaev has been an 'up and comer' for several years, but persistent health issues have dampened what should have been a meteoric rise. In a recent interview with Adam Zubayraev, he said, "I’ve had five or six surgeries so far and seven or eight fractures… I put myself together. Doctors told me so many times I wouldn’t be able to fight. Well, I've proved them wrong so far." Let's hope he gets that middleweight title shot.

. THE HEAT .

'Guys, shut up' - Kamaru Usman Goes Off on Fans Calling Him Scared

Kamaru Usman took some heat for turning down a fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310. He quickly shut down those complaints on the Pound4PoundShow: “I’m seeing people online [saying], ‘You are scared.’ Guys, shut up… I’m a world champion who has defended my belt time and time again. Just because you didn’t get what you wanted [doesn’t mean I’m scared].” 

Jamahal Hill to Magomed Ankalaev: "Don't forget to call me champ"

Magomed Ankalaev might be trying to start a beef with Jamahal Hill, but the champ is unimpressed. Hill responded to being called "a bum," saying, "Remember when you got a title shot… and fumbled it because you couldn’t defend the leg kicks? But who stepped up to the plate? The champ. Call me what you want, but don’t forget to call me champ.” 

. THE BONUS .

Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk drop the most elaborate fight trailer ever created. It’s definitely worth a watch! Their rematch is scheduled for December 21st in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

. THAT’S ALL .

That’s all for now.

See you on the next edition.

Stay ready,
Fight Fan Crew 👊