UFC signs bantamweight champion Kai Asakura from RIZIN amid rumors that the KO artist will soon be catapulted straight into title contention.
From UFC Fight Night in Louisville, Kentucky to the Yoyogi National Stadium in Japan, the MMA world leader has reportedly signed a brand new bantamweight contender to the promotion – one who fans could thoroughly see surge into title contention in only his very first UFC fight.
UFC signs RIZIN bantamweight champion and KO artist Kai Asakura
There was some major UFC news outside of Louisville this weekend as RIZIN bantamweight champion Kai Asakura confirmed that he’ll be leaving the promotion to sign with the UFC.
Asakura may not be the most important name in either North America or Europe, however the 30-year-old Japanese athlete is a real superstar in Asia, having earned a status as not only a brutal knockout artist but for his entertaining back-and-forth wars with top-level MMA talent.
He joins the UFC with an expert record of 21-4, with 13 of those victories coming by means of KO/TKO – along with his highlight reel (see below) being a five-minute compilation of him demolishing his opponents with crisp, powerful striking.
In truth, Asakura has already fought some vastly experienced fighters since joining RIZIN in 2017, including flyweight contender Manel Kape, the legendary Kyoji Horiguchi, and ex-Bellator champion Juan Archuleta.
Chatting with the gang on the Yoyogi National Stadium over the weekend, Asakura confirmed that whilst he’s awaiting an official announcement, he’s “giving up my belt and going to the UFC.”
“I feel there will likely be an announcement from the UFC soon, nevertheless it’s official that I’m going. This must be exciting news, but without delay I feel very lonely… I like RIZIN and its fans.
“I will certainly turn into a champion at UFC, and I’ll bring fans from all around the world with me, so make sure that to stay up for it. I hope you’ll proceed to support me.”
Asakura then took to social media to tease that it won’t be long before he faces current UFC champion, Sean O’Malley.
“I’m grateful to Sakakibara-san for accepting my selfish want to go to UFC without ever defending my title and for pushing me forward… My dream is to turn into a UFC champion and produce fans from all around the world to Japan. I will certainly get the belt, so please stay up for it.”
Asakura rumored to make UFC debut against top 5 opponent
In response to an inside source at MMA Mania, the UFC is already trying to book Asakura against a top 5 opponent within the bantamweight division – so who may very well be on the cards for his debut on the planet MMA leader?
With Sean O’Malley sitting pretty as king of the 135lb division, the highest of the bantamweight tree is populated by Merab Dvalishvili (1), Cory Sandhagen (2), Petr Yan (3), Marlon Vera (4), and Henry Cejudo (5).
Asakura likely won’t face either Dvalishvili, whose title fight against O’Malley is predicted to be announced by the tip of June, or Cory Sandhagen because the fan-favorite American is already booked to face Umar Nurmagomedov later this summer.
Similarly, Marlon Vera is ready to make his UFC return on the identical card as Nurmagomedov vs Sandhagen, this time against the previous flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo.
This leaves just Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo as potential opponents who fit the highest 5 criteria – and if push comes to indicate and not one of the top 5 accepts a fight offer against Asakura, there may very well be a possible China vs Japan clash against Song Yadong.
Whoever the UFC opts to match Asakura up against in his UFC debut, fans are in for a treat when the Japanese superstar eventually makes his grand entrance.
Related Topics
