Not just Rakhmonov vs. Garry: What else should you not miss at UFC 310 this Sunday?

On Sunday, December 8, a numbered tournament will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Fans from Kazakhstan are eagerly anticipating the match between (18-0) and (15-0), but what other exciting bouts have been prepared for the audience? A correspondent has highlighted five additional intriguing fights.

A total of 14 fights will be held at the T-Mobile Arena, marking the final numbered tournament of the year. Rakhmonov and Garry will clash in the co-main event, expected around 09:30 Kazakhstan time.

Derden - Van: A Chance for Jumagulov's Adversary to Break into the Top 15

The early prelims will feature five matches. The fourth fight will see representatives from the flyweight division in the cage - (17-6-1) and (11-2). There is a 10-year age gap between the fighters: Derden is 33, while Van is 23.

Cody has been competing in the world's top league since 2020. He has fought 11 times there, achieving six wins, suffering four losses, and ending one bout in a draw. In September, he finished (16-9-0-1) and broke a two-fight losing streak.

Van holds a 4-1 record in the UFC, having started in the league in June of last year, defeating the Kazakh fighter. This was the last fight for the Aktobe fighter in the UFC. In September, Joshua won by decision, bouncing back after a knockout loss to (17-6) that occurred over the summer.

In the current flyweight rankings, Derden is in 14th place, while Van is unranked. If Joshua wins against the veteran, he will have a great chance to break into the top 15 of his weight class. The fight is scheduled to start at approximately 05:15 Kazakhstan time.

Evloev - Sterling: Undefeated Featherweight Against Former Champion

One of the most anticipated fights of the tournament has somehow ended up in the prelims, featuring the matchup between Russian fighter (18-0) and American (24-4). The 30-year-old Evloev, who has strong ties to Kazakhstan, is ranked fifth in the UFC featherweight division. Meanwhile, the 35-year-old Sterling, a former bantamweight champion, sits ninth in the rankings.

Movsar has never lost in his career, matching Shavkat's record at 18-0. However, he has yet to secure a finish in the UFC, having won all eight of his bouts by decision. Sterling, on the other hand, has won 10 of his last 11 fights, with his only loss coming against (August last year).

This is the second attempt to organize a fight between them. They were initially set to face each other in early October, but Sterling withdrew from the bout due to injury. The fighters have exchanged words, and now it remains to see who will back up their words with action in the octagon.

The matchup between Movsar and Aljamain will take place second in the prelims and seventh overall in the tournament. It is expected to start around 06:30 Kazakhstan time.

Luque - Gorimbo: Training Partner and Potential Opponent for Rakhmonov

Immediately after the Evloev - Sterling fight, welterweights will enter the octagon - the 14th-ranked fighter from Brazil (22-10-1) and a representative from Zimbabwe (14-4). This fight is also connected to Rakhmonov.

The thing is, 33-year-old Vicente is Shavkat's training partner at (Kill Cliff FC). They know each other very well. Meanwhile, 33-year-old Gorimbo has previously stated that (he will fight whoever manages to defeat Shavkat).

Luque holds a 15-6 record in the UFC, competing in the organization since 2015. In his last four fights, he has suffered three losses, two of which were by knockout. The Brazilian is currently on a downward trend. As for Gorimbo, he debuted in the league in February of last year. He lost his first fight by submission but then achieved four consecutive victories. Now, Temba is just one step away from breaking into the top 15 welterweights in the UFC.

Their fight is expected to start around 07:00 Kazakhstan time.

Gane - Volkov: A Top-Level Rematch in the Heavyweight Division

The third fight on the main card will feature a star rematch in heavyweight - Frenchman (12-2) and Russian (38-10) will face off again, after three and a half years.

The 34-year-old Gane is ranked second in the division, while 36-year-old Volkov is third. They trail only the champion (28-1-0-1) and the interim titleholder (15-3).

In June 2021, Gane and Volkov fought a five-round match, in which the Frenchman won by unanimous decision. After that, Ciryl achieved three victories and suffered two losses, briefly holding the interim championship. Volkov has secured five wins and one loss since his bout with Ciryl.

This will be Gane's first fight since September 2023, when he returned to winning ways, defeating (by technical knockout). Volkov is currently on a four-fight winning streak - in June, he won by decision against his compatriot (18-3). This fight is expected to start around 09:00 Kazakhstan time.

Pantoja - Asakura: Title Fight in Almabaev's Weight Class

The main event of the evening, the only fight that will take place after the Rakhmonov - Garry matchup, is a title bout in the flyweight division between Brazilian champion (28-5) and Japanese contender (21-4).

The 34-year-old champion has been competing in the UFC since 2017, and during this time has fought 15 times - with a record of 12-3. He is currently on a six-fight winning streak, and this will be his third title defense. Previously, he defended his title against (Brandon Royval) and (Steve Erceg).

Meanwhile, 31-year-old Asakura is making his UFC debut, and immediately with a title shot. This is only the third such case in the history of the world's premier league. The Japanese fighter is currently on a two-fight winning streak.

Will the champion change in the weight class where Kazakh fighters (21-2) and (15-1) compete? We'll find out on Sunday. The fight is set to begin no earlier than 10:00 Kazakhstan time.

You can find the full card for UFC 310 on the promotion's website

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