LAS VEGAS – Kai Asakura feels the UFC flyweight division is in want of a change, and he guarantees to be simply that.
The previous RIZIN FF bantamweight champion debuts within the octagon this Saturday in the primary occasion of UFC 310 (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, Hulu, ESPN+). In a not-often-seen alternative, the Japanese star will problem for a UFC belt in his debut, as he takes on flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja.
“Once I signed my contract with the UFC, I instructed them I may battle at flyweight and bantamweight, and as discussions progressed, I mentioned to them, ‘Look, we will deliver some pleasure into this division, so it could be higher for me to battle at flyweight for you,’ in order that’s why I’m preventing at flyweight,” Asakura mentioned by way of an interpreter at Wednesday’s UFC 310 media day.
Asakura (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) feels he brings an thrilling type that’s by no means been seen earlier than within the promotion – which is able to add worth to the 125-pound division, a weight class some see as missing in pleasure.
“The UFC followers have by no means seen anyone like me battle earlier than,” Asakura mentioned. “I at all times purpose to go for the KO end, and I’m right here to deliver pleasure again to the flyweight division.”
However Asakura doesn’t simply intend to spice issues up in his new promotion. He believes a part of the joy will transcend his preventing type, and meaning dethroning Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC).
“I don’t have any feeling that Pantoja is just too previous, I really assume he’s in all probability on the peak of his efficiency,” Asakura mentioned when requested about Pantoja. “He’s a wonderful and all-around fighter. For me, it’s apparent that going into the longer term there must be a change and a brand new king on the town, and that’s why I’m right here, to take over the flyweight division.”
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