UFC flyweight debutee Kai Asakura has addressed fight fans publically for the first time since falling to Alexandre Pantoja in the UFC 310 main event.
Kai Asakura’s bid to become the UFC’s second-ever Japanese-born champion fell short in the UFC 310 main event on Saturday in Las Vegas. After a quick ascent to a title shot in his debut, Alexandre Pantoja proved to Asakura that there are levels in the flyweight division, tapping Asakura by rear-naked choke.
It was Asakura’s first flyweight appearance since 2017 and his first stoppage loss since a knockout defeat to former UFC title challenger Kyoji Horiguchi at Rizin 26. The elite striker wasn’t able to withstand Pantoja’s wrestling pace and pressure despite a torrid start.
Hours after suffering his first UFC defeat, Asakura was brutally honest with his following on social media.
Kai Asakura speaks on UFC 310 title loss to Alexandre Pantoja
In a statement to his social media pages, Asakura addressed his following for the first time since UFC 310.
“Thank you so much for all your support, I’m sorry I couldn’t repay you with results,” Asakura said.
“He was a great champion and I was still weak. I didn’t reach it this time, but I’ll definitely climb up and become the champion. I’ve always done that, and I’ll keep doing it until I achieve it. I’ll come back stronger.”
Asakura is just 31 years old and has plenty of time to right the ship in his UFC career. The loss snapped a two-fight winning streak over former Bellator champ Juan Archuleta and Yuku Motoya in Rizin.
Kai Asakura adds to resurgent UFC flyweight division
Before signing with the UFC, Asakura made himself into a global star in a long-decorated tenure in Rizin. During his promotional stint, he earned wild soccer kick knockouts and cemented himself as one of the most dangerous flyweights in the world.
Asakura won the then-vacant Rizin bantamweight championship by defeating Hiromasa Ougikubo at Rizin 23. After regaining the title against Archuleta last year, the UFC pushed hard to sign Asakura in free agency, after Asakura made his intentions known in a post-fight speech.
As for Pantoja, he continues to prove himself as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world following another signature performance at UFC 310. Before the win over Asakura, Pantoja fought in his first career UFC pay-per-view headliner at UFC 301, defeating Steve Erceg by unanimous decision.
Pantoja has cleaned house amongst most of the top flyweight contenders in the UFC. Asakura could potentially get right back in the title conversation with a win or two in 2025.
For now, Asakura is still dealing with the agony of defeat as he plots his UFC comeback next year. While he’s disappointed in his performance, the loss to Pantoja could be the catalyst he needs to eventually earn the elusive UFC gold.