UFC 310, the highly anticipated event set for December in Las Vegas, is facing a major challenge after Belal Muhammad, the reigning welterweight champion, was forced to withdraw due to a severe injury. This has led to widespread speculation about who will step in as the replacement for Muhammad in the main event. The answer is slowly becoming clear, with two exciting names emerging: Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev.
Belal Muhammad Withdraws Due to Serious Injury
On October 31, news broke that Belal Muhammad had to pull out of his title defense at UFC 310 due to a bone infection in his foot. He took to social media to explain the situation: “I have to undergo 6 weeks of intravenous antibiotics, and I am prohibited from any physical activity. Allah decides what is best. I apologize to everyone and look forward to being back soon.”
Muhammad’s withdrawal puts UFC in a difficult position with just over a month until the event. This opens the door for other fighters, particularly Pereira and Ankalaev, to step up and potentially take his place in the main event.
Pereira vs. Ankalaev: A Thrilling Matchup for UFC 310
Immediately after Muhammad’s withdrawal, Shavkat Rakhmonov suggested a temporary title fight, but the UFC did not pursue this option. Fans quickly turned their attention back to an exciting matchup: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev, two top light heavyweight contenders with impressive recent performances.
Pereira recently defeated Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307, while Ankalaev emerged victorious against Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308. Both fighters have earned their shot at the title. UFC President Dana White has even acknowledged that Ankalaev is deserving of a title opportunity after his victory.
Pereira and Ankalaev Ready for UFC 310
Both Pereira and Ankalaev have made it clear that they are ready for UFC 310, posting phone emojis on their social media accounts, signaling their availability for the fight. Sukhrab Magomedov, Ankalaev’s coach, commented: “Everything is just speculation right now, but we’re ready for December 7th. The real question is whether Pereira actually wants to fight, as he previously said he might complicate the title fight for us.”
UFC 310: A Major Opportunity for a New Main Event
With Belal Muhammad out of the picture, Pereira vs. Ankalaev seems like the perfect replacement for the UFC 310 main event. Although both fighters have recently fought hard battles, the UFC may still go ahead with this title showdown, ensuring a high-profile and exciting event for the fans.
UFC 310 is shaping up to be a significant moment in UFC history. The question remains: will we witness the Pereira vs. Ankalaev title fight at this event? Fans are eagerly waiting to see how the situation unfolds.