UFC 310 Mailbag: Future of Pantoja & Rakhmonov’s Stock

UFC 310 is in the books, and the more things change, the more they stay the same. Alexandre Pantoja remains the flyweight champion after demolishing Kai Asakura. Shavkat Rakhmonov stays undefeated after edging one out over Ian Machado Garry. On top of that, there were a few other notable outcomes this past weekend, including some heavyweight controversy, so let’s dive right into your questions.

Alexandre Pantoja

“Pantoja vs. [Kai Kara France] 2? Or is Pantoja making an argument at double champ shot?

“ Belal vs. Shavkat, was Garry fight a product of sparring at range demons or is this easy for Belal on volume/pace?

“Did Gane make the HW scene even more ugly or does Tom Ciryl still hold interest?”

Man, the flyweight title picture is super interesting now.

If you’ve read my work before (and if not, happy to have you!), you know I don’t think much of “champ-champ” fights. I’m of the opinion that double-champ opportunities should be reserved for long-reigning champions who truly clean out a division of contenders, not guys who get a couple of wins and we think will beat their contenders. Well, Pantoja hasn’t quite cleaned everyone out, but he’s damn close.

If you count his wins on The Ultimate Fighter, Pantoja is 9-0 against currently ranked flyweights, and that doesn’t include his win over Asakura. The only dudes Pantoja hasn’t fought in the top-5 currently are Tatsuro Taira and Amir Albazi, and both of them just lost. Given all that, this is one of the times where I believe a shot at double-champ status is justified; there’s just one problem: bantamweight has too much other stuff going on right now.

Merab Dvalishvili is going to fight Umar Nurmagomedov in January, and however that ends up, Petr Yan and Sean O’Malley both appear to be in the mix to get a shot at the winner. And with no real momentum for Pantoja to jump up (plus, he’s not even making a big case for it), it’s not going to happen.

All this means that Pantoja is going to defend his title at least once more, and if Kara-France is the guy, I’m OK with that. Sure, he’s only on a one-fight winning streak, but many people thought he beat Albazi and, personally, I don’t care about Pantoja beating one of the Brandons (Moreno or Royval) for the sixth time. At least the Kara-France matchup is relatively new.

BUT, I think there’s a secret third option nobody has talked about: Deiveson Figueiredo.

“Figgy Smalls” has been lights out up at bantamweight, but the loss to Yan put him well back from getting a title shot. Perhaps he reconsiders his position and decides to return to the division he was champion of and, most notably, where he holds a win over the current champion. To me, this is the best option. Bring Figueiredo back down for the rematch, and have Kara-France and Brandon Royval duke it out for the next title shot.

As for the other two questions, I’ll get to those later.

Shavkat Rakhmonov, title contender

“How does Belal Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov go based on what he showed last night? Where does Garry go from here, improvement wise?”

Before jumping into the future welterweight title fight discussion, let’s start with an honest assessment of Rakhmonov’s performance at UFC 310.

There’s been a quiet but growing contingent of fans that believe Rakhmonov is overhyped, and on Saturday, those people all felt vindicated. Those people are silly. Yes, for the first time in his career Rakhmonov failed to finish his opponent. After 18 fights, the previous six of which all came against high-level opposition, Rakhmonov won a clear-cut decision instead of finishing a guy who has never lost before. What a fraud he is!

Did Rakhmonov look his best? No. But even setting aside the rumors that he fought with a torn MCL (which, if true, would certainly explain some of it), it shouldn’t be shocking that Rakhmonov had a tougher time than usual on Saturday. People may not like him, but Ian Machado Garry is a damn good fighter. It’s hard to fight good fighters! And it’s even harder to fight good fighters who you’ve trained with before, who you weren’t preparing for, and who are fighting extremely defensive and are bigger than you. While the fight was undeniably a let down from a viewing perspective, Rakhmonov shouldn’t lose one iota of credibility for taking a clear win.

Now, does this make you rethink the matchup with Belal? Not really. Before UFC 310 I was extremely confident that Rakhmonov would beat Muhammad because he’s exceptional and I think the stylistic matchup favors him. I still mostly think that but now I’ll go from “extremely confident” to “pretty confident.”

Belal is a great fighter and brings clearly defined tools to the table but they aren’t the same tools Garry brings. Muhammad isn’t near the range striker Garry is and I still don’t think he’s going to have a ton of success initiating grappling exchanges with Rakhmonov. So that doesn’t really leave Muhammad a lot of options in my mind but I guess we’re going to find out.

As for the Garry question read on below.

Ian Machado Garry

“Do you feel more or less confident about Ian Garry becoming UFC champion following his performance against Shavkat?”

I feel about the same. Before UFC 310 I said that Garry is almost certainly going to challenge for a title and has a decent shot at winning a belt one day. After watching him give Rakhmonov a very tough time I have no reason to think any different.

People do not like Garry for several reasons many of them stupid but only a total buffoon would argue that he’s not a great fighter. You don’t get to 15-0 by accident and he was one round away from moving to 16-0. On top of that he’s getting better every time out and he’s only 27 years old. All of that is in favor of him making a serious title run over the next few years.

The only question really is whether he’ll get the belt? On that I’m not sure because a big issue for Garry is that Rakhmonov is better than him and only three years older. If Shavkat does get the belt that means Garry has to go through him and while that’s possible it’s still a tall order. If I had to make a call I’d say Garry doesn’t get a belt but I have no confidence in that prediction whatsoever.

Ciryl Gane “robs” Alexander Volkov

“Was Volkov “robbed” or did he lose a close fight?”

He was not robbed and I say this as someone who had money on Volkov as an underdog.

I’ll leave full “Robbery Review” analysis to Alexander K Lee but statistically speaking this was razor close bout: Gane landed four more significant strikes attempted one extra submission than Volkov whereas latter achieved additional takedown controlled action longer duration overall though numbers alone hardly suffice when assessing contentious decisions such instances arise frequently within sport nonetheless context offers insight regarding dispute concerning alleged injustice…

< p > Best argument labeling outcome robbery stems overwhelming media consensus siding Russian competitor despite majority verdicts favoring slim margin ultimately boils single pivotal period granted judges latitude awarding opening pair stanzas Frenchman plausible scenario therefore misclassification mere unfortunate consequence rather than egregious miscarriage justice…

< p > Addressing earlier inquiry relating potential intrigue forthcoming showdown between Aspinall hypothetical engagement appears dwindling enthusiasm surrounding anticipated clash understandable given current circumstances yet reality dictates inevitable match-up regardless lacking fervor indicative prevailing sentiment governing heavyweight landscape presently…

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< h2 > Movsar Evloev
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< p lang = " en " dir = " ltr " > On featherweight how do you think Movsar would fare against Ilia ? Furthermore considering recent main card placement when exactly did Kron’s strategic approach become obsolete pre-Zuffa late ’90s perhaps extending into latter part subsequent decade unprecedented maneuvers witnessed event transpired… — Dee J ( @ Daniel_J81 ) December 8 ,2024
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< blockquote >< p > “ On featherweight how do you think Movsar Evloev would go with Ilia Topuria ? And given he got his main card spot what year did Kron ’ s game plan expire — pre-Zuffa late ’90s or more into late ’00s ? Never seen anyone jump half guard before.”
< p > Hopefully we find out next year .

< p > I know people don ’ t like Evloev because they think he ’ s boring but that’s just not true . Yes , he’s never had finish in UFC suboptimal nevertheless recent performances entertaining notion dull unfounded largely perpetuated Dana White dislike absurdity irrespective validity shouldn’ t overshadow fact ranks among premier featherweights deserving opportunity contend championship caliber competition…

< p > Fans gravitate towards Diego Lopes exhilarating style however meritocracy dictates precedence owing prior encounter victor emerged triumphant straightforward logic dictates rematch reasonable compromise resolving lingering ambiguity surrounding contentious subject matter…

< p > Should Evloev emerge victorious potential showdown Topuria presents formidable challenge albeit champion favored prevailing assumption nonetheless grappling prowess efficiency hallmark repertoire represents significant obstacle opposition encountered division thus far…

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< h2 > Merab Dvalishvili
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< p lang = " en " dir = " ltr "> Can you tell exactly what is going on with Merab’s mindset ? Can he be suspended for beating fan n if so ,is setting up this purpose cz feels UFC pushed early fight ? — Backspace ( @ Backspa05796760 ) December 8 ,2024
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< blockquote >< p > “ Can you tell exactly what is going on with Merab ’ s mindset ? Can he be suspended for beating fan if so setting up purpose because feels UFC pushed early fight ? ”
< p > In case missed it UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili involved altercation fan during event potentially detrimental ramifications ensue…

< p > According available information legitimate cornerman teammate Aljamain Sterling Nevada State Athletic Commission possesses authority impose disciplinary measures precedent established Arman Tsarukyan incident UFC300 underscores seriousness transgressions similar nature consequences resulted temporary suspension subsequently reduced duration implications looming co-main event uncertainty persists pending resolution matter…

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< h2 >< em > Thanks reading appreciation extended individuals contributing queries insightful discourse encompassing combat sports related topics forward submissions via platform addressed accordingly substantive engaging manner anticipation responses forthcoming installments weekly column …

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