LAS VEGAS – Kai Asakura feels the UFC flyweight division is in need of a change, and he promises to be just that.
The former RIZIN FF bantamweight champion debuts in the octagon this Saturday in the main event of UFC 310 (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, Hulu, ESPN+). In a not-often-seen opportunity, the Japanese star will challenge for a UFC belt in his debut, as he takes on flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja.
“When I signed my contract with the UFC, I told them I could fight at flyweight and bantamweight, and as discussions progressed, I said to them, ‘Look, we can bring some excitement into this division, so it would be better for me to fight at flyweight for you,’ so that’s why I’m fighting at flyweight,” Asakura said through an interpreter at Wednesday’s UFC 310 media day.
Asakura (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) feels he brings an exciting style that’s never been seen before in the promotion – which will add value to the 125-pound division, a weight class some see as lacking in excitement.
“The UFC fans have never seen anybody like me fight before,” Asakura said. “I always aim to go for the KO finish, and I’m here to bring excitement back to the flyweight division.”
But Asakura doesn’t just intend to spice things up in his new promotion. He believes part of the excitement will go beyond his fighting style, and that means dethroning Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC).
“I don’t have any feeling that Pantoja is too old, I actually think he’s probably at the peak of his performance,” Asakura said when asked about Pantoja. “He’s an excellent and all-around fighter. For me, it’s obvious that going into the future there needs to be a change and a new king in town, and that’s why I’m here, to take over the flyweight division.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.
