The UFC returns to Las Vegas this weekend for its final pay-per-view event of the year. It’s expected to be an exciting night of action, featuring some of the sport’s most promising up-and-comers. Here, we provide detailed UFC 310 Pantoja vs. Asakura
The UFC Flyweight Championship will be on the line in the main event. Alexandre Pantoja looks to add another defense to his reign against UFC newcomer Kai Asakura.
Read on to discover some of the best bets to make in this main event and other fights scheduled to take place on Saturday night.
UFC 310: Pantoja vs. Asakura predictions and best bets
- Alexandre Pantoja by decision: +310 at FanDuel Sportsbook
- Nate Landwehr by KO/TKO/DQ: +300 at BetMGM Sportsbook
- Eryk Anders by KO/TKO/DQ: +360 a DraftKings Sportsbook
The entire UFC 310 card is loaded with talent. The main event is full of intrigue as it features an established champion taking on a fighter making his UFC debut.
There are a large number of questions surrounding this main event.
After careful analysis of both fighters, our experts believe Alexandre Pantoja will do enough to pick up the decision. He is an extremely well-rounded fighter and will have to rely on his striking and grappling skills to get the win over a tough fighter like Kai Asakura.
Asakura is perhaps the most devastating striker competing in the UFC flyweight division.
Pantoja will have to be very careful with her feet. He’s been hit on the feet in previous fights, and a big blow from Kai could knock him out.
Nate Landwehr also looks poised for another big win on Saturday. The former M1 Global Champion takes on Choi Doo-Ho in what is billed as ‘Fight of the Night’.
Look for Landwehr to push the pace and score a late TKO stoppage.
On the night, middleweights Chris Weidman and Eryk Anders will look to return to the division’s top 10 rankings with a win.
Expect to see Anders get a stoppage win with strikes in this bout. He is one of the hardest hitters at 185 pounds and Weidman has been knocked out five times since 2015.
Pantoja vs. Asakura Moneyline Probability Analysis
Saturday’s UFC main event is one of the most difficult fights to predict in recent memory. There are simply too many unknowns about how Asakura will fare in the UFC to really be sure how this fight will play out.
However, the odds are heavily tilted in favor of the champion.
Pantoja enters this fight as a -250 favorite. He’s one of the most dominant champions in the UFC right now, with two impressive title defenses to his name. He is extremely versatile and is expected to mix his skills against Asakura.
Asakura is the underdog in this matchup. He was a force during his time competing in Japan, with knockout wins over elite fighters such as Juan Archuleta, Ulka Sasaki and Kyoji Horiguchi.
He is more of a pure striker and is definitely looking for a knockout against the champion.
Why Pantoja could win as a favorite
Best Odds: -250 at DraftKings Sportsbook
The UFC flyweight division still doesn’t get the credit it deserves. It’s a shame, as it’s packed with some of the most exciting fighters in the sport. Pantoja fits that bill, putting in several fight-of-the-night performances throughout his UFC career.
Pantoja is not necessarily dominant in any area of MMA. He can hit with anyone and has the fighting skills to touch his opponents at any time.
Pantoja will need to focus on using both of those skills on Saturday. Asakura has shown himself to be very competent against fighters who are only looking to fight him.
By mixing up her striking and grappling, Pantoja can keep Asakura guessing and prevent her from getting into a flow with her punches.
This will not be an easy night at the office for Pantoja. He faces a young and hungry opponent with nothing to lose. However, if he can effectively use both his striking and elite jiu-jitsu, this is a fight he can and should come out on top of.
Why Asakura could win as an underdog
Best Odds: +215 at Caesars Sportsbook
Asakura has been one of the biggest names in the Japanese MMA scene for years. He is finally set to make his UFC debut on Saturday and is immediately thrown into a world title fight.
Asakura has shown incredible power with her punches, kicks and knees. There is no doubt that he will be looking for another knockout win against Pantoja.
Asakura would have to do her best to stay upright. In his most recent MMA bout, he hit Archuleta with knees every time Archuleta shot for a takedown.
Using a similar strategy against Pantoja can deter him from looking to fight.
Asakura will also want to rely on his elite boxing. He has finished punching several fighters and has the power to knock out Pantoja. If he can keep pace and stay disciplined, he has a chance to score a knockout before the end of the fight.