For those that don’t know him, Kai Asakura has a simple message for UFC fan: keep your eyes glued on him at UFC 310. Asakura challenges Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title on Saturday, December 7.
A former RIZIN bantamweight champion, Asakura makes his promotional debut in a title fight. The bout headlines the final pay-per-view of the year for the UFC.
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“I’m here to become UFC champion,” Asakura said (thanks to Bloody Elbow for the quotes). “I have a stronger will than anybody else, know how to achieve my goals. That’s all I’m focused on. For UFC fans who are watching me fight for the first time, don’t blink! I plan on winning with a spectacular knockout.”
The 31-year-old from Japan finished Juan Archuleta last December to win the vacant RIZIN title. He would vacate it in June before signing with the UFC.
During his career with RIZIN, Asakura went 13-3 with his losses coming to Hiromasa Ougikubo, former UFC contender Kyoji Horiguchi and Manel Kape. He also earned a win over Horiguchi and owns 13 knockout wins in his career.
Kai Asakura Headlines UFC 310
Along with Asakura vs. Pantoja, Shavkta Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry meet in the co-main event. That bout will be a welterweight title-eliminator.
Rakhmonov was scheduled to challenge for the belt before an injury forced Belal Muhmmad out. Ciryl Gane meets Alexander Volkov, Bryce Mitchell battles Kron Gracie and Nate Landwehr faces Choi Doo-ho on the main card.
The prelims include the likes of former UFC champions Aljamain Sterling and Chris Weidman, along with former title challengers Dominick Reyes and Anthony Smith.
