Kai Asakura has introduced a little bit of a change within the weight class he goals to battle in, and a former UFC competitor obtained in a dig on the former Rizin champion within the course of. After a little bit of an inauspicious begin to his UFC tenure, Asakura can be shifting from flyweight as much as bantamweight as he not too long ago introduced on his private YouTube channel.
Touching up on his intentions to maneuver again to 135 kilos, a division the place he captured Rizin gold on two events, Asakura stated [via MMA News],
“I’m going to maneuver up a weight class, so I’m going to have to arrange correctly and get my physique in form once more. It may be subsequent 12 months or so, however I’ll positively win my subsequent battle. It’s not as a result of somebody instructed me to, however as a result of I’ve at all times carried out issues primarily based alone instincts. I wish to win.”
Muhammad Mokaev labored in a pointed dig on the former UFC flyweight title challenger by way of his private X account @muhammadmokaev, as the previous ranked UFC flyweight contender Mokaev acknowledged,
“That is what occurs while you get quick tracked. 0-2 in flyweight”
Kai Asakura and the 0-2 run that Mokaev referenced
Kai Asakura has but to garner a victory within the octagon, however maybe this transfer as much as bantamweight will present a recent coat of paint on his combative profession. The Japanese combined martial artist grew to become a part of an unique group of fighters who debuted within the UFC whereby they had been inserted proper right into a championship outing.
This came about final December towards Alexandre Pantoja, with the Brazilian champion retaining his belt by way of submission at UFC 310. Asakura additionally misplaced his second UFC outing by means of submission when he returned to the cage in August. Kai Asakura took a loss to fellow former UFC flyweight title challenger Tim Elliott at UFC 319 in Chicago. Maybe ‘the third time’s the allure’ is an adage that can apply to Asakura’s subsequent UFC contest, at any time when which may be.
