Alexandre Pantoja continued his reign atop the flyweight division by defeating Japanese challenger Kai Asakura via rear-naked choke in the second round of the UFC 310 main event. The Brazilian champion proved his skills once again and defended his title for the third time in 2024.
Pantoja entered the Octagon after recovering from a minor hiatus following his controversial decision win over Steve Erceg earlier this year. Looking sharp and prepared, he faced Kai Asakura, a two-time former Rizin FF champion making his UFC debut. The matchup promised excitement, and it delivered.
The opening round saw explosive exchanges as Kai Asakura pushed forward, almost landing a spectacular flying knee against the cage. However, Pantoja kept his composure and capitalized on his precision striking. Midway through Round 1, the champion connected with powerful shots that dropped Asakura briefly and caused noticeable swelling under the challenger’s eye.
In the second round, Pantoja wasted no time in hunting for a finish. After a failed backpack attempt, the Brazilian transitioned smoothly to take Asakura’s back once again. Moments later, he locked in a rear-naked choke, forcing Asakura to go unconscious after a valiant attempt to defend. Referee intervention sealed Pantoja’s victory.
With this win, Pantoja strengthens his legacy as one of the top flyweights in UFC history, marking his third title defense in less than a year. His performance was celebrated by fans and critics alike, showcasing his capability to adapt and finish high-level opponents.
The UFC shared highlights of the submission win on their social media, captioning, “The man at 125 remains đź‘‘ @PantojaMMA gets the submission in round 2! #UFC310.”
This victory over Asakura is yet another reminder that Pantoja is still the reigning king of the 125-pound division, and fans are already speculating who his next opponent might be.
