Kai Asakura doesn’t suppose the UFC brass can be upset if he claims the flyweight title from Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 310.
Up to now, the boys’s 125-pound division has felt like one thing of a nuisance for the group. It has tried to rid it prior to now, however is presently seems to be as wholesome as ever, with Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) main the cost forward of the Dec. 7 showdown with Asakura (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at T-Cellular Area in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+).
Nonetheless, although, issues can at all times get greater and higher. That’s one purpose why former RIZIN FF champ Asakura thinks he’s being granted a title shot in his promotional debut and why he thinks it’s higher for the corporate if his hand is raised.
“Let’s be sincere: It’s good enterprise for the UFC if I win,” Asakura informed MMA Junkie by means of an interpreter on Thursday. “I’m right here to make it thrilling, for individuals to have curiosity within the flyweight division and have a complete bunch of latest matchups able to have on future reveals.”
Asakura, 31, has earned almost 80 p.c of his profession victories by stoppage. It’ll be a troublesome ask to maintain that up in opposition to Pantoja, who has by no means been stopped inside the space throughout his 33-fight profession.
Though Pantoja has already crushed the very best within the division – and a few of them twice over – Asakura thinks he brings one thing distinctive to the desk.
“I’m slightly bit totally different than the opposite fighters within the flyweight division, I’ve the power to capitalize on one in every of his misses and put him to sleep,” Asakura mentioned. “That’s what I’m aiming for, and I feel that’s what makes my problem for this title battle totally different than anybody else.”
Asakura is counting the times till he will get to make his mark contained in the octagon for the primary time and seize gold. He is able to be a poster-boy for the corporate, and predicts it gained’t be lengthy till the powers that be acknowledge that, as effectively.
“I hope at some point Dana White will flip to the viewers and say, ‘This child is a particular KO artist, a KO machine,’” Asakura mentioned.
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