Kai Asakura, UFC 310 official weigh-in Credit score: Gabriel Gonzalez/Cageside Press
Japanese star and former RIZIN Preventing Federation champion Kai Asakura arrives within the UFC on Saturday in an enormous means. Asakura is headlining UFC 310, the place he’ll problem Alexandre Pantoja for flyweight gold. There’s no larger debut than that.
Kai AsakuraStanding at five-foot-eightFighting at 125 lbs (Flyweight)31-years-oldTokyo, JapanTraining out of Tokyo Prime TeamA professional document of 21-413 KO/TKOs, 3 Submissions
How Asakura will fare within the UFC
Former two-time RIZIN bantamweight champion Kai Asakura has made the leap to the UFC. Asakura has been one of many largest stars in Japan for years and this is without doubt one of the largest signings for the UFC in a very long time. He has 4 losses however these 4 opponents he’s additionally overwhelmed. Some names on his resume embody Juan Archuleta, Yuki Motoya, Kyoji Horiguchi, Hiromasa Ougikubo, Manel Kape, Ulka Sasaki, and Alatengheili.
Asakura is a high-caliber striker. The one hope is to catch him in an trade or take him down. Throughout his time in RIZIN, Asakura confirmed glorious takedown protection. He did an incredible job of utilizing the ropes and preventing underhooks so I’d think about in opposition to a cage he’ll be even harder to take down. Even when taken down he does an incredible job of getting again up. I don’t consider him as a lot of a wrestler/grappler but it surely’s ok to hold with a lot of the guys he’ll be dealing with.
There’s a crap ton to love about Kai Asakura’s putting. What’s to not like is his willingness to commerce within the pocket. He’s already greatest when he’s main the dance, somewhat than partaking in a mosh pit. Recently, he’s been extra cautious together with his strategy however on the identical time, Asakura thrives in chaos. He does get dropped however has an excellent chin and tends to crack tougher than whoever he’s preventing. Whereas within the pocket he has a nasty body-head combo all whereas ducking and weaving. He’s bought a phenomenal lead left hood and a stiff straight jab. As proven in his final two fights he has a dirty counter knee to the physique.
The way in which to provide Kai Asakura any hassle is to place him on his again foot. The second you let off, he’ll assault as a result of he doesn’t get drained and will get higher because the combat goes on.
How he matches up with Pantoja
Like many, I anticipated Asakura to debut within the UFC at bantamweight however as a substitute, he’s preventing for the flyweight championship. I by no means agree with a newcomer coming into the UFC with a right away title combat. Though, Pantoja has all of the strain main into this combat, as with Asakura, he has little to lose and every thing to realize.
Pantoja is just like the Terminator. What he lacks in talent he makes up for with sturdiness, strain, and a high-level floor recreation. He’s fought higher martial artists than Asakura, however Asakura might be probably the most harmful man he’s met. Pantoja hasn’t fought somebody this highly effective and with this timing since early in his profession.
I’m choosing Pantoja as a result of I believe his strain, wrestling, and grappling shall be an excessive amount of for Asakura. Asakura should snipe Pantoja on the skin and make him pay for coming in. I’m simply undecided Patoja could be put away and that’s what I believe must occur. I’ve bought Pantoja by a late submission.
