Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura
Round 1:
Pantoja started with a hard leg kick, but Asakura responded with a flying knee that narrowly missed. Pantoja clinched up and clipped Asakura with a left hand, partially taking him down, but Asakura quickly got back to his feet and pressed Pantoja against the cage. Pantoja scored a takedown but Asakura scrambled up and returned to striking. Asakura landed some hard leg kicks and a knee to the body, while Pantoja responded with a solid combination and another hard leg kick. Pantoja also delivered a knee during a scramble. The round ended with both fighters landing clean shots, but Pantoja seemed to control the action overall.
Score: 10-9 Pantoja
Round 2:
Pantoja opened with a sharp jab and quickly closed the distance, getting to the back of Asakura while standing. They briefly reached a stalemate against the cage, but Pantoja jumped onto Asakura’s back, took him to the ground, and immediately sunk in a body triangle. He transitioned smoothly into a rear-naked choke, and Asakura went to sleep, dramatically ending the fight.
Who beats Pantoja at 125lbs? He looked unstoppable
Result: Alexandre Pantoja defeated Kai Asakura via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2.
Ian Machado Garry vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
Round 1:
Rakhmonov began by taking control of the centre of the cage, pressuring Machado Garry, and quickly closing the distance to press him against the fence. While Rakhmonov maintained control, he struggled to inflict any significant damage. With three minutes remaining, Rakhmonov worked diligently for a takedown, but Machado Garry’s defence held firm. Rakhmonov landed knees to Machado Garry’s legs, showcasing solid control, albeit with little effect. Machado Garry briefly reversed the position, but Rakhmonov regained dominance in the clinch. In the final minute, they broke apart, with Machado Garry landing a leg kick before Rakhmonov responded with a big right hand, leading to another clinch as the round ended.
I scored the round 10-9 for Rakhmonov.
Round 2:
Rakhmonov again controlled the centre of the octagon as Machado Garry worked from the outside, landing leg kicks and a sharp jab. Rakhmonov countered with his own jab and followed up with a strong right hand. The fight remained slow and technical, with both fighters trading strikes but rarely engaging in prolonged exchanges. Rakhmonov landed a significant right hook before Machado Garry pressed him against the fence. Rakhmonov reversed the position, controlling the clinch without causing damage. With less than 30 seconds remaining, Machado Garry broke free and landed a couple of leg kicks before the round concluded.
I scored the round 10-9 for Rakhmonov.
Round 3:
Both fighters started the round exchanging strikes in the centre of the cage. Machado Garry’s leg kicks began to find their mark, with one kick noticeably buckling Rakhmonov. Machado Garry improved his output, landing a body kick and controlling more of the action. He pressed Rakhmonov against the fence but found himself reversed once again. Despite Rakhmonov’s clinch control, damage was minimal. The referee eventually separated them, and Machado Garry landed a sharp oblique kick. Both fighters traded stiff jabs, with Rakhmonov connecting on a big right hand as the round ended.
I scored the round 10-9 for Machado Garry.
Round 4:
Machado Garry started strong with several oblique kicks that landed cleanly. He appeared more confident, though Rakhmonov soon closed the distance and pressed him against the cage. Machado Garry reversed the position and broke away, but Rakhmonov quickly shot for a double-leg takedown, succeeding and establishing top control. From guard, Rakhmonov delivered solid ground-and-pound, forcing Machado Garry to defend. Machado Garry briefly threatened with a choke but Rakhmonov escaped, maintaining control along the fence. Knees to the legs from Rakhmonov followed as the round neared its end. Machado Garry escaped but was taken down once more, with Rakhmonov landing heavy strikes to close the round.
I scored the round 10-9 for Rakhmonov.
Round 5:
The final round began with Rakhmonov landing a sharp jab, showing wear on Machado Garry’s face. Rakhmonov shot for a takedown, but Machado Garry reversed and took his back, locking in a body triangle. Machado Garry worked diligently for a rear-naked choke, but Rakhmonov escaped and transitioned to top control. The grappling exchanges were fast-paced, with both fighters trading positions. Rakhmonov landed occasional ground-and-pound before Machado Garry managed to get back to his feet. In the final minute, Machado Garry pressed Rakhmonov against the cage, only to be reversed as the fight concluded.
I scored the round 10-9 for Rakhmonov, giving him the overall edge at 49-46.
Result: Shavkat Rakhmonov defeated Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47).
Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
Round 1:
Volkov began with a sharp leg kick, applying immediate pressure on Gane. Volkov executed an early takedown, showcasing his control, while Gane remained composed in half guard. Gane eventually made his way back to his feet with a technical stand-up, pressing Volkov against the cage. Once separated, they resumed striking, with Volkov continuing to push forward. Gane surprised Volkov by landing a double-leg takedown, transitioning to ground control. Volkov managed a sweep, but Gane grabbed the cage before recovering the top position and attempting a heel hook. Volkov escaped, and they returned to their feet, where Gane landed a knee to the body. Volkov attempted his own takedown but found himself caught in a guillotine. Gane applied pressure, but the round ended before he could secure the finish.
I scored the round 10-9 for Volkov.
Round 2:
Volkov resumed his forward pressure, landing a clean combination and a spinning backfist. Gane responded with a mixture of leg kicks, body kicks, and accurate jabs, settling into his rhythm as the round progressed. While Volkov landed a few effective shots, Gane regained the momentum with a well-timed takedown. From side control, Gane briefly threatened a Von Flue choke before allowing Volkov to stand back up. The round concluded with Gane delivering a powerful body kick.
I scored the round 10-9 for Volkov.
Round 3:
The final round became a tactical grappling battle. Volkov initiated a takedown attempt, with Gane countering by securing a kimura grip. Volkov eventually gained top control and landed some short strikes as Gane worked to escape. Despite his efforts, Gane remained on the bottom for most of the round, with Volkov maintaining dominance.
I scored the round 10-9 for Volkov. Overall, I had the fight 30-27 in favour of Volkov. In my opinion, this was a disgraceful decision by the judges. I don’t know how they gave Gane the win. It will be interesting to see Dana White’s opinion on this
Result: Ciryl Gane defeated Alexander Volkov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Kron Gracie vs. Bryce Mitchell
Round 1:
Mitchell started with a leg kick as Gracie sought to close the distance, eventually pulling half guard. Gracie transitioned to full guard, but Mitchell kept active with short ground-and-pound. The crowd grew restless as neither fighter achieved a decisive advantage. Gracie attempted submissions but found no success, and the round ended without major developments.
I scored the round 10-9 for Mitchell.
Round 2:
Gracie landed a solid left hand and pressed forward, while Mitchell countered with a crisp combination. Gracie pulled guard again, drawing boos from the crowd. Mitchell defended submission attempts while delivering effective ground-and-pound. Gracie attempted an armbar and a triangle choke, but Mitchell remained composed and finished the round with heavy strikes.
I scored the round 10-9 for Mitchell.
Round 3:
The final round opened with Mitchell landing a clean one-two combination before Gracie opted to pull guard once more. Mitchell capitalised by landing a devastating elbow from the top, knocking Gracie out cold and securing a dramatic victory.
Result: Bryce Mitchell defeated Kron Gracie via KO (elbow) – Round 3, 0:39.
Dooho Choi vs. Nate Landwehr
Round 1:
Choi started strongly, rocking Landwehr with a powerful hook early in the fight. He followed up with heavy strikes, displaying superb accuracy, while Landwehr demonstrated incredible resilience. Choi secured a takedown and maintained top control, but Landwehr scrambled back to his feet. Choi dominated the exchanges, landing clean combinations and an elbow in the clinch.
I scored the round 10-9 for Choi.
Round 2:
Choi continued to shine with his striking, mixing leg kicks and powerful hooks. Landwehr matched the intensity with a spinning elbow but was taken down by Choi, who transitioned from mount to back control. Landwehr worked back to his feet, but Choi consistently outmanoeuvred him, ending the round in a dominant position.
I scored the round 10-9 for Choi.
Round 3:
Landwehr came out aggressively in the final round, but Choi countered with precise strikes before securing another takedown. He controlled the action on the ground, delivering relentless ground-and-pound from a crucifix position. Unable to defend himself, Landwehr left the referee with no choice but to stop the fight. Complete dominance, very unexpected, to be honest. I was expecting a firefight with Landwehr coming out on top. Is this a new, revitalised Choi?
Result: Dooho Choi defeated Nate Landwehr via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 3, 3:21.
Overall, it’s a pretty underwhelming card to end the year. Hopefully, UFC311 starts 2025 with a bang.
TheWrestlingFallacy 
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