Kai Asakura’s road to the UFC hasn’t been easy.
The Japanese flyweight is set to make his promotional debut when he takes on 125lb king Alexandre Pantoja in the main event of UFC 310, which will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
Asakura joins MMA’s premier league with a 21-4 record. The former RIZIN bantamweight champion has suffered three defeats by knockout, and footage of one of his KO losses has been shared on social media ahead of the final UFC pay-per-view show of 2024.
That’s because Pantoja has a win over one of the men who has stopped Asakura, Manel Kape.
- EXCLUSIVE: Alexandre Pantoja explains how he intends to emulate Anderson Silva against Kai Asakura at UFC 310
Manel Kape vs Kai Asakura revisited ahead of UFC 310
Manel Kape and Kai Asakura met for the vacant bantamweight title at RIZIN 20 in December 2019.
The star of UFC 310 edged out a split decision win when they first fought a year earlier.
Kape got his revenge in the rematch as he swarmed Asakura with strikes in the second round.
A wild exchange allowed the Portuguese fighter to connect with a clean straight that dropped his opponent. Asakura wasn’t out, but he struggled to defend himself when Kape unleashed a series of ground strikes.
The 31-year-old somehow managed to pop back to his feet, but he was immediately dropped again.
More nasty ground and pound from Kape prompted the referee to wave off the fight.
The impressive win got Kape signed by the UFC. Since joining Dana White‘s league he’s had mixed results, losing three of his seven bouts in the Octagon so far.
Pantoja beat him by unanimous decision with relative ease when they clashed at UFC Vegas 18 in February 2021.
Only time will tell if he’ll be able to replicate Kape’s success against Asakura at UFC 310.
Kai Asakura explains why UFC should want him to win debut
Akasura is convinced it would be better for the flyweight division if he were to relieve Pantoja of his crown at UFC 310.
As well as claiming it would actually be beneficial for the company for him to become the poster boy of the 125-pound division, the talented striker believes he has the perfect style to capture the imagination of fans too.
“Let’s be honest, it’s good business for the UFC if I win,” Asakura told MMA Junkie.
“I’m here to make it exciting, for people to have interest in the flyweight division and have a whole bunch of new matchups ready to have on future shows.
“I hope one day Dana White will turn to the audience and say this kid is a special KO artist, a KO machine.”