In one of the most unprecedented debuts in company history, Japanese mixed martial arts sensation Kai Asakura (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will take on reigning UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) at UFC 310. Following his acquisition into the global combat sports leader, Asakura had been a popular standout in the Japan-based MMA promotion Rizin, which has played home to some of the best fighters in the world such as Kyoji Horiguchi, Vadim Nemkov, and Jiří Procházka. Throughout his 16-fight run there, the Aichi native garnered several victories over elite-level talent like Manel Kape, the aforementioned Horiguchi, and Hiromasa Ougikubo.
Stepping up to defend his 125-lb strap for a third time, Pantoja will headline his second UFC event in the span of eight months after eking out a close unanimous decision win over Steve Erceg at UFC 301 back in May. In the midst of a colossal six fight win streak, the Brazilian has grown into a true force in the division, having not lost a contest in over four years, taking out five of the current flyweight top 10 en route to capturing the title.
Asakura Bids For Title in First UFC Appearance
Making his first walk to the world-famous Octagon against a top-caliber opponent like Pantoja, the debuting Asakura will undoubtedly be facing the biggest test of his career, considering “The Cannibal”’s seemingly endless gas tank and durability. Pundits have also been quick to point out how this will be the Japanese’s first fight at 125-lb since 2017, leading some to speculate if he can even make weight come Saturday. However, Asakura has come out publicly stating that making the limit for his new division won’t be an issue. Coming off a masterful performance last December at Rizin 45, where he secured the promotion’s bantamweight strap, Asakura is on track to record one of the most highlight reel years in the sport’s history should he take home the flyweight championship at UFC 310.
While he does possess a formal background in combat sports after practicing karate, boxing, and sumo as a child, Asakura’s success as a mixed martial artist can be attributed to his infamous background as a street brawler. During his formative years, he often found himself duking it out against the other youths in his hometown, including his own family. It wasn’t until he was almost out of high school that Asakura got his first introduction into MMA after being brought to the Zen Dokai Toyohashi Dojo by his brother, Mikuru.
Asakura: The Early Years
Oddly enough, despite making his professional debut in 2012, Asakura compiled a successful 8-2 amateur career from 2013 to 2014, where he won The Outsider Bantamweight Championship. It wasn’t until 2015 that he fought once more as a professional, winning four straight bouts that year with four finishes. The impeccable Japanese fighter would continue to succeed on the regional circuit, nabbing three more victories before suffering his first loss against Moon Jae-hoon at Road FC 039.
Following this defeat, he signed with what would become his long-time promotion, Rizin, in 2017. Proving to be a stellar homegrown name, Asakura rattled off six wins in a row to challenge for the Rizin Bantamweight Championship opposite Manel Kape. Although he had already bested “Star Boy” in the past by split decision, it was Kape who came out on top by starching the hometown favorite with punches mere seconds into round two.
A Second Chance at Gold and a Title Lost
It didn’t take long for Asakura to earn another title shot, because in the wake of Kape vacating the throne to accept an invitation from the UFC, he was immediately thrusted into a championship bout opposite Hiromasa Ougikubo. Learning from the mistakes of the past, Asakura quickly dispatched his countryman in a single round with devastating knees and soccer kicks to his face to finally earn his first ever world title.
After scoring yet again a first-round knockout in a non-title contest in his next appearance, Asakura locked horns with a man who he had previously taken out in dominant fashion on his road to his first championship fight, Kyoji Horiguchi. Having dusted “The Typhoon” inside a round in their last encounter, expectations were high for Asakura to defend his newly-acquired strap with an exciting performance. Sadly, his first outing as champion ended in complete disaster when Horiguchi put Asakura’s lights out in just over two minutes to snatch the title away from him.
Throughout the next year, Asakura clawed his way back to a championship opportunity by reaching all the way to the Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix 2021 finals against another familiar foe in Ougikubo. While the former 135-lb. titleholder’s last fight with Ougikubo only lasted a single round, their rematch went the full 15 minute distance, with Ougikubo getting the better of Asakura by unanimous decision.
Third Time is the Charm
After two back-to-back failed attempts at claiming his place as the top bantamweight in the company, Asakura had managed to line up a coveted third chance at Rizin 45 last year. A splendid occasion for most fighters, however, standing in his way of becoming champion once again was none other than the 29-4 Juan Archuleta. Riding a three fight win streak, Archuleta looked to be a solid challenge for the equally-seasoned Asakura. Although “The Spaniard” did hold the size advantage after missing weight, Asakura stunningly propelled himself into greatness for a second time by flattering Archuleta with a nicely timed knee to the body to crown himself Rizin’s 135-lb. king.
Can Asakura Win the UFC Flyweight Championship?
Seeking to further his legacy in the sport of mixed martial arts, Asakura will attempt to become just the second man to ever win both a Rizin and UFC championship, behind only Jiří Procházka. Walking into the most important contest of his life, Asakura practically oozes confidence, with the Japanese star outright stating that he will do away with Pantoja with just a single blow. It remains to be seen if he can follow up on such a bold prediction, but if one thing is for certain, Asakura will definitely be a breath of fresh air for the most stacked flyweight division on the planet.
