Who is Kai Asakura?
Many UFC fans are seeing Kai Asakura compete for the first time this Saturday at UFC 310 when he makes his debut for the company. But, this isn’t just any ordinary debut. Kai is making his debut against the UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja to challenge for the gold. And to make things even bigger, it’s the main event. Talk about pressure, right? Making your debut to headline a UFC Pay-Per-View while fighting for a championship seems like one of the most nerve-wracking things someone can do. If anyone can do it though, it’s Kai Asakura.
In the modern era, only two people have challenged for a title in their debut. The first is Gilbert Melendez who took on Benson Henderson in 2013. Melendez lost that fight for the lightweight title. The second is Ronda Rousey, who battled Liz Carmouche for the women’s bantamweight championship. Rousey won that fight and became champion in her UFC debut. Asakura has the chance to etch his name into history.
But, why? Who is Kai Asakura? Why does he get a championship fight on his debut? Well, let’s explain. Kai Asakura actually revealed recently that the title fight was not his first option. He was given a contender (unnamed) and they turned him down. So, UFC offered him Pantoja and both accepted. Kai is looked at as a ‘boogeyman’ of sorts to some, due to his vicious knockout power and submission expertise. Plus, he’s always somehow finding a way to win.
Kai has a record of 21-4, with 13 knockouts, 3 submissions and 5 decisions. The 31 year old hailing from Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan has mostly fought his high-profile fights in the RIZIN promotion and is coming off of two straight TKO wins, both being by way of knee to the body. He has wins over UFC veterans Manel Kape, Kyoji Horiguchi, Alatengheili and Yuta Sasaki. Plus, 12 of his wins came in just the very first round.
The two-time RIZIN champion does have 4 losses though, with three of them coming by way of finish. So, while he may be looked at as a ‘boogeyman’, he’s not unstoppable. With that being said, he isn’t someone to take lightly, either. Holding a Jiu-Jitsu Purple belt and Zendo-kai Karate Black Belt, Kai Asakura has enough experience to take the fight wherever he wants and he has big plans for Saturday night.
The Japanese sensation describes his style as “street fighter”, which is actually how he got into training MMA. Kai tells a story that his own brother challenged him to a street fight at 18 years old, and it was there and then that he realized he had a natural ability to fight and decided to actively train to become an MMA fighter. He went on to turn pro in 2013 and now, he’s fighting for UFC gold.
His opponent is no slouch, though. Alexandre Pantoja is the current UFC Flyweight Champion with a record of 28-5, and is currently on a six fight win streak. Pantoja has 8 knockouts, 10 submissions and 10 decision victories to his name. But, one of his best qualities is his chin. Despite having five losses, they’re all by decision. Starting his pro career in 2007, spanning over 30 fights, Alexandre Pantoja has never been submitted or knocked out. Kai is looking to change that.
Recently, Kai Asakura predicted that he will become the first man to knockout Alexandre Pantoja and believes he will do it within three rounds. That’s a tough feat for anyone to call their shot, but against Pantoja, that’s a whole different beast. Yet, if anyone can do it, it may be Kai Asakura.
As mentioned before, Kai holds 13 knockouts and they all come in various different ways. From kicks, to knees, to punches, and even Yuta Sasaki in the first round in 2019 via TKO after breaking his jaw. He even has a slam knockout to his name, too. He’s dangerous.
Can Alexandre Pantoja’s heart and seemingly granite chin push him through to retain his title and prove the debutant to not be on his level? Or, will Kai Asakura make history by becoming one of few to win gold in his UFC debut, and possibly become the first man to knockout the champion? Maybe UFC will have a new Japanese superstar on their hands. We find out this Saturday at UFC 310 live from Las Vegas, Nevada in the T-Mobile Arena.
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