Las Vegas — Japan’s Kai Asakura is set to make one of the biggest UFC debuts in recent memory.
While names like Kayla Harrison and Michael “Venom” Page have already debuted this year, former RIZIN champ Asakura (20-4) is stepping straight into a flyweight title fight with champ Alexandre Pantoja.
“The UFC fans have never seen anybody like me fight ever before,” Asakura exclaimed during the UFC 310 media day, his first for the company. “I always aim to go for a KO finish, I’m an exciting fighter, and I’m here to bring excitement back to the flyweight division.”
Asakura told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday that since arriving in Las Vegas, he’d been approached by fans, and that “I realize there’s some expectations on this event and this fight, and I’m going to do my best to exceed those expectations and give those fans something very exciting.”
A former bantamweight champ, Asakura revealed that he’d offered to compete in either division for the UFC, but eventually suggested flyweight, where he felt he could bring the most excitement. He dismissed the idea that Pantoja, at 34, was “too old” for a flyweight champ.
“I don’t have any feeling that Pantoja is too old, I think actually he’s probably at the peak of his performance,” Asakura suggested. “He’s an excellent all-around fighter. But for me, it’s obvious that going forward in the future, there needs to be a change and there needs to be a new king in town. And that’s why I’m here, to take over the flyweight division.”
There’s a reason to be excited for Asakura’s arrival. His most recent win came against former Bellator champ Juan Archuleta, while he holds additional victories over UFC vets Kyoji Horiguchi, Ulka Sasaki, Manel Kape, plus TUF alum Hiromasa Ougikubo. While most of those names have moved on, Kape is still a key player at 125 in the UFC.
Later, Asakura would address training in the “new” UFC gloves, which have since been replaced by the old-style gloves. Both of which are no doubt different from what Kai Asakura is accustomed to from RIZIN.
“To be honest with you, I don’t care about the gloves. I’d be happy to fight without gloves,” he stated.
Watch the full UFC 310 media day scrum with Kai Asakura above.
