Kai Asakura, a former RIZIN bantamweight champion known for his exciting finishes, is making his UFC debut in the main event of UFC 310 against Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight championship, following a career that began with a street fight against his older brother.
Kai Asakura’s no stranger to intense challenges. Thrown into the proverbial fire more times than he can count, he’s about to face another one. This Saturday, at UFC 310, he makes his UFC debut. And not just any debut—it’s the main event.
Asakura, the former RIZIN bantamweight champ, squares off against Alexandre Pantoja for the UFC flyweight championship. Talk about a high-stakes entry! In the ‘UFC 310 Countdown,’ he shared an intriguing tale. His older brother, infamous for street fighting, once challenged him to a boxing match right on the street.
No formal fighting experience? No problem for Asakura. He had a natural knack for it. That impromptu street bout set him on his current path. Curious? Check out the video below.
Imagine this: Kai Asakura’s first real fight was against his own brother, who’d run out of opponents on the street. It was a pivotal moment. It awakened his potential and steered him toward an MMA career.
Now, at 31, Asakura steps into the octagon with momentum on his side. He’s fresh off two knockout victories via body shots. One of those wins was against former Bellator champ Juan Archuleta, earning him the RIZIN 135-pound title last December.
With a 5-1 record in his past six fights, Asakura aims to add another title belt to his collection. It’s been over seven years since his last flyweight contest. But now, he’s ready to make history in his UFC debut. Will he rise to the occasion? Only time will tell!