Japanese star and former RIZIN Fighting Federation champion Kai Asakura arrives in the UFC on Saturday in a big way. Asakura is headlining UFC 310, where he will challenge Alexandre Pantoja for flyweight gold. There’s no bigger debut than that.
Kai Asakura
Standing at five-foot-eight
Fighting at 125 lbs (Flyweight)
31-years-old
Tokyo, Japan
Training out of Tokyo Top Team
A pro record of 21-4
13 KO/TKOs, 3 Submissions
How Asakura will fare in the UFC
Former two-time RIZIN bantamweight champion Kai Asakura has made the jump to the UFC. Asakura has been one of the biggest stars in Japan for years and this is one of the biggest signings for the UFC in a long time. He has four losses but those four opponents he’s also beaten. Some names on his resume include Juan Archuleta, Yuki Motoya, Kyoji Horiguchi, Hiromasa Ougikubo, Manel Kape, Ulka Sasaki, and Alatengheili.
Asakura is a high-caliber striker. The only hope is to catch him in an exchange or take him down. During his time in RIZIN, Asakura showed excellent takedown defense. He did a great job of using the ropes and fighting underhooks so I’d imagine against a cage he’ll be even tougher to take down. Even when taken down he does a great job of getting back up. I don’t think of him as much of a wrestler/grappler but it’s good enough to hang with most of the guys he’ll be facing.
There is a crap ton to like about Kai Asakura’s striking. What’s not to like is his willingness to trade in the pocket. He’s already best when he’s leading the dance, rather than partaking in a mosh pit. Lately, he’s been more careful with his approach but at the same time, Asakura thrives in chaos. He does get dropped but has a good chin and tends to crack harder than whoever he’s fighting. While in the pocket he has a nasty body-head combo all while ducking and weaving. He’s got a beautiful lead left hood and a stiff straight jab. As shown in his last two fights he has a filthy counter knee to the body.
The way to give Kai Asakura any trouble is to put him on his back foot. The second you let off, he will attack because he doesn’t get tired and gets better as the fight goes on.
How he matches up with Pantoja
Like many, I expected Asakura to debut in the UFC at bantamweight but instead, he’s fighting for the flyweight championship. I never agree with a newcomer coming into the UFC with an immediate title fight. Although, Pantoja has all the pressure leading into this fight, as with Asakura, he has little to lose and everything to gain.
Pantoja is like the Terminator. What he lacks in skill he makes up for with durability, pressure, and a high-level ground game. He’s fought better martial artists than Asakura, but Asakura is probably the most dangerous man he’s met. Pantoja hasn’t fought someone this powerful and with this timing since early in his career.
I’m picking Pantoja because I think his pressure, wrestling, and grappling will be too much for Asakura. Asakura will have to snipe Pantoja on the outside and make him pay for coming in. I’m just not sure Patoja can be put away and that’s what I think would have to happen. I’ve got Pantoja by a late submission.
