In some of the unprecedented debuts in firm historical past, Japanese combined martial arts sensation Kai Asakura (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will tackle reigning UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) at UFC 310. Following his acquisition into the worldwide fight sports activities chief, Asakura had been a preferred standout within the Japan-based MMA promotion Rizin, which has performed residence to among the finest fighters on this planet equivalent to Kyoji Horiguchi, Vadim Nemkov, and Jiří Procházka. All through his 16-fight run there, the Aichi native garnered a number of victories over elite-level expertise like Manel Kape, the aforementioned Horiguchi, and Hiromasa Ougikubo.
Stepping as much as defend his 125-lb strap for a 3rd time, Pantoja will headline his second UFC occasion within the span of eight months after eking out an in depth unanimous resolution win over Steve Erceg at UFC 301 again in Could. Within the midst of a colossal six combat win streak, the Brazilian has grown into a real drive within the division, having not misplaced a contest in over 4 years, taking out 5 of the present flyweight high 10 en path to capturing the title.
Asakura Bids For Title in First UFC Look
Making his first stroll to the world-famous Octagon in opposition to a top-caliber opponent like Pantoja, the debuting Asakura will undoubtedly be dealing with the most important take a look at of his profession, contemplating “The Cannibal”’s seemingly limitless fuel tank and sturdiness. Pundits have additionally been fast to level out how this would be the Japanese’s first combat at 125-lb since 2017, main some to invest if he may even make weight come Saturday. Nonetheless, Asakura has come out publicly stating that making the restrict for his new division received’t be a problem. Coming off a masterful efficiency final December at Rizin 45, the place he secured the promotion’s bantamweight strap, Asakura is on monitor to report some of the spotlight reel years within the sport’s historical past ought to he take residence the flyweight championship at UFC 310.
Whereas he does possess a proper background in fight sports activities after training karate, boxing, and sumo as a baby, Asakura’s success as a combined martial artist might be attributed to his notorious background as a road brawler. Throughout his childhood, he typically discovered himself duking it out in opposition to the opposite youths in his hometown, together with his family. It wasn’t till he was nearly out of highschool that Asakura bought his first introduction into MMA after being delivered to the Zen Dokai Toyohashi Dojo by his brother, Mikuru.
Asakura: The Early Years
Oddly sufficient, regardless of making his skilled debut in 2012, Asakura compiled a profitable 8-2 beginner profession from 2013 to 2014, the place he received The Outsider Bantamweight Championship. It wasn’t till 2015 that he fought as soon as extra as knowledgeable, successful 4 straight bouts that yr with 4 finishes. The impeccable Japanese fighter would proceed to succeed on the regional circuit, nabbing three extra victories earlier than struggling his first loss in opposition to Moon Jae-hoon at Street FC 039.
Following this defeat, he signed with what would develop into his long-time promotion, Rizin, in 2017. Proving to be a stellar homegrown title, Asakura rattled off six wins in a row to problem for the Rizin Bantamweight Championship reverse Manel Kape. Though he had already bested “Star Boy” up to now by cut up resolution, it was Kape who got here out on high by starching the hometown favourite with punches mere seconds into spherical two.
A Second Likelihood at Gold and a Title Misplaced
It didn’t take lengthy for Asakura to earn one other title shot, as a result of within the wake of Kape vacating the throne to just accept an invite from the UFC, he was instantly thrusted right into a championship bout reverse Hiromasa Ougikubo. Studying from the errors of the previous, Asakura shortly dispatched his countryman in a single spherical with devastating knees and soccer kicks to his face to lastly earn his first ever world title.
After scoring but once more a first-round knockout in a non-title contest in his subsequent look, Asakura locked horns with a person who he had beforehand taken out in dominant trend on his highway to his first championship combat, Kyoji Horiguchi. Having dusted “The Storm” inside a spherical of their final encounter, expectations have been excessive for Asakura to defend his newly-acquired strap with an thrilling efficiency. Sadly, his first outing as champion resulted in full catastrophe when Horiguchi put Asakura’s lights out in simply over two minutes to grab the title away from him.
All through the following yr, Asakura clawed his manner again to a championship alternative by reaching all the way in which to the Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix 2021 finals in opposition to one other acquainted foe in Ougikubo. Whereas the previous 135-lb. titleholder’s final combat with Ougikubo solely lasted a single spherical, their rematch went the complete 15 minute distance, with Ougikubo getting the higher of Asakura by unanimous resolution.
Third Time is the Attraction
After two back-to-back failed makes an attempt at claiming his place as the highest bantamweight within the firm, Asakura had managed to line up a coveted third probability at Rizin 45 final yr. A splendid event for many fighters, nevertheless, standing in his manner of turning into champion as soon as once more was none aside from the 29-4 Juan Archuleta. Using a 3 combat win streak, Archuleta appeared to be a strong problem for the equally-seasoned Asakura. Though “The Spaniard” did maintain the dimensions benefit after lacking weight, Asakura stunningly propelled himself into greatness for a second time by flattering Archuleta with a properly timed knee to the physique to crown himself Rizin’s 135-lb. king.
Can Asakura Win the UFC Flyweight Championship?
Searching for to additional his legacy within the sport of combined martial arts, Asakura will try to develop into simply the second man to ever win each a Rizin and UFC championship, behind solely Jiří Procházka. Strolling into a very powerful contest of his life, Asakura virtually oozes confidence, with the Japanese star outright stating that he’ll do away with Pantoja with only a single blow. It stays to be seen if he can comply with up on such a daring prediction, but when one factor is for sure, Asakura will certainly be a breath of contemporary air for essentially the most stacked flyweight division on the planet.
