Former RIZIN flyweight champion Kai Asakura is on the move. The Japanese star confirmed his transition to the bantamweight division, a shift that signals new challenges, and potentially bigger opportunities, as he looks to make his mark against deeper competition in the UFC.
“I’m going to move up a weight class, so I’m going to have to prepare properly and get my body in shape again,” Asakura said on his YouTube Channel.
“It might be next year or so, but I’ll definitely win my next fight. It’s not because someone told me to, but because I’ve always done things based on my own instincts. I want to win.”
Asakura (21-6) has endured a difficult start to his UFC career. The Japanese contender debuted with considerable fanfare, receiving an immediate title shot against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 310. The opportunity, however, was short-lived. Pantoja secured a rear-naked choke in the second round to hand Asakura a disappointing setback in his first Octagon appearance.
Asakura’s second outing offered little improvement. Paired with veteran Tim Elliott, a tough but winnable matchup on paper, he was submitted by guillotine choke in the second round. The setback appeared to serve as a wake-up call, prompting Asakura to make the move up to bantamweight at 135 pounds.
The Japanese standout has yet to name a preferred opponent for his bantamweight debut.
Watch Kai Asakura’s announcement on YouTube.
