news

Dana White announces new main events for UFC 310 and UFC Tampa

Vaseline November 16, 2024

Dublin, Ireland – September 19, 2024; UFC President Dana White at the weigh-ins at the 3Arena … (+) Dublin, for Walsh vs Runowski, tomorrow night. (Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Sports file via Getty Images

UFC President Dana White promised he had something “good” to fix the main event issues with UFC 310, and he was right.

Following Friday night’s ceremonial weigh-ins at UFC 309, White announced two new main card events in December. UFC men’s flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja was already set to defend his title against Japanese newcomer Kai Asakura in the co-main event of UFC 310.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – MAY 04: Alexandre Pantoja of Brazil reacts after his win against Steve … (+) Erceg of Australia in a UFC flyweight championship fight at the UFC 301 event at Farmasi Arena on May 4, 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alexandre Loureiro/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

That fight has been elevated to the main event.

The new co-main event will see undefeated welterweight Shavkat Rakmmonov take on fellow undefeated 170-pounder Ian Machado Garry in a high-stakes bout.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 16: Shavkat Rakhmonov of Uzbekistan reacts after his victory against … (+) Stephen Thompson in a welterweight bout at the UFC 296 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 16, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

According to White, the winner will get a title shot against Belal Muhammad in the first quarter of 2025. Initially, Muhammad was scheduled to defend his title in the main event against Rakhmonov.

However, an injured toe forced Mohammed out. Garry was scheduled to face Joaquin Buckley the following week in the main event of UFC Tampa on December 14. The UFC didn’t want to disrupt those plans, but they had to turn and pick Garry to help save the pay-per-view appeal. .

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 29: Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry watches during a welterweight fight during … (+) UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Buckley and UFC Tampa were not left out in the cold.

The new main event for Tampa will see former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington take on Buckley in a fight that would pit the winner behind the winner of the Rakhmonov-Garry clash.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – OCTOBER 05: Joaquin Buckley reacts after his knockout win against Stephen … (+) Thompson in a welterweight bout at the UFC 307 event at Delta Center on October 5, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Zuffa LLC

The fight will be Covington’s first since losing a unanimous decision to Leon Edwards in December 2023.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 16: Colby Covington of the United States looks on prior to a … (+) welterweight title fight against Leon Edwards of England at UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington event at T-Mobile Arena on December 16, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Buckley is coming off an explosive KO win over Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson in October. Rakmmonov and Garry addressed each other on social media after the news was made official.

All things considered, the UFC did a good job of salvaging the last two cards of the year with solid events. Here’s a look at both maps now with Friday’s adjustments.