UFC Schedule December 2024: UFC schedule for December 2024: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura, Colby Covington vs. Joaquin Buckley, and other confirmed fights

The UFC Macau card capped off a thrilling November. The month also featured UFC 309, which was considered one of the biggest combat sports cards of the year. Heading into December, the UFC has planned several exciting matchups to bid adieu to 2024 in style.

It's important to note that the number of main roster UFC events for the coming month (December) is lower than usual. Nevertheless, it's nothing uncommon. The world's biggest MMA organization and most other sports leagues acknowledge the holiday season and New Year time as one where athletes prefer spending time with friends and family rather than competing.

Nevertheless, the UFC is indeed going to put forth two main roster events in December 2024. It'll first head to Vegas for a pay-per-view (PPV) event and then to Florida for a Fight Night card.

UFC schedule for December 2024

Today, we'll take a look at the fights that have been confirmed by the promotion for the month of December 2024. The cards have been displayed in accordance with the latest listings on the UFC's official website. As always, the cards are subject to change.

#1. UFC 310 -- Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura

The UFC 310 PPV would mark the organization's first main roster event for the month. It's booked to go down at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A., on Dec. 7, 2024.

The event's headlining match pits reigning UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja against former Rizin bantamweight champion Kai Asakura. Brazil's Pantoja, who's a UFC staple, would be looking to notch the third successful defense of his title.

On the other hand, Japan's Asakura would be making his promotional debut. Certain sections of the MMA community have questioned whether Asakura's title shot is deserved, pointing out that the division is stacked with several elite contenders.

Alternatively, the Japanese combatant's spectacular striking and exciting fighting style have been cited as reasons for his being slotted right into a title fight in what would be his maiden octagon appearance.

The UFC 310 co-headlining match has Shavkat Rakhmonov taking on fellow undefeated fighter and former training partner Ian Machado Garry in a welterweight title eliminator. The winner is expected to face UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, who was initially set to face Rakhmonov and headline UFC 310 but pulled out due to a bone infection.

Moreover, the PPV also boasts the rematch between top-tier heavyweights Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov, in addition to various other potential high-octane matchups.

The UFC 310 card is as follows:

Main card

Alexandre Pantoja (C) vs. Kai Asakura (UFC flyweight title)
Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Machado Garry (welterweight)
Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov (heavyweight)
Bryce Mitchell vs. Kron Gracie (featherweight)
Nate Landwehr vs. Dooho Choi (featherweight)

Preliminary card

Dominick Reyes vs. Anthony Smith (light heavyweight)
Vicente Luque vs. Themba Gorimbo (welterweight)
Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling (featherweight)
Randy Brown vs. Bryan Battle (welterweight)

Early preliminary card

Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders (195-pound catchweight)
Cody Durden vs. Joshua Van (flyweight)
Michael Chiesa vs. Max Griffin (welterweight)
Clay Guida vs. Chase Hooper (lightweight)
Kennedy Nzechukwu vs. Lukasz Brzeski (heavyweight)

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#2. UFC Tampa

The UFC's second and final main roster event for December will be UFC Tampa (aka UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Buckley). It'd also be the final main roster event of the 2024 calendar year. It'll transpire at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, U.S.A., on Dec. 14, 2024.

The Fight Night card is set to be headlined by a clash between former interim UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington and rising contender Joaquin Buckley. Initially, Buckley was booked to fight Ian Machado Garry in the headliner, but Garry was rebooked to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov after Belal Muhammad's withdrawal from UFC 310.

Presently, the Covington-Buckley matchup at UFC Tampa is expected to propel its winner into the title mix. Covington has consistently maintained that he will eventually capture the elusive undisputed welterweight championship. Meanwhile, Buckley has vowed to continue his winning ways, building on a thunderous KO win over divisional staple and striking legend Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson.

Furthermore, the co-headlining match has women's strawweight contenders Amanda Ribas and Mackenzie Dern battling to ascend the upper echelons and realize their objective of capturing UFC gold. The card features several other intriguing clashes as well.

The UFC Tampa card is as follows:

Main card