Kai Asakura: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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UFC Shanghai has wrapped up, and the future of the bantamweight division is the burning question. The event helped reshape the weight class by introducing Song Yadong as a possible contender and promoting Kai Asakura as a future star.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / August 31

Asakura On Bantamweight Move After Flyweight Struggles

Kai Asakura has found his footing at bantamweight after a difficult flyweight run ended in back-to-back submission losses. The Japanese fighter stopped Qileng Aori in the second round at UFC Shanghai on Aug.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / August 29

Former UFC title challenger continues career turnaround with Shanghai KO after 0-2 start in the Octagon

Kai Asakura is rebuilding his momentum at bantamweight following a tough start to life in the UFC. In 2024, Asakura came up short when challenging Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title in his Octagon debut.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / August 28

Asakura KO Prop Tops UFC Shanghai Weekend Lock

Kai Asakura to win by knockout or technical knockout is the betting lock for UFC Shanghai this Saturday. MMA Mania's Alexander Behunin zeroed in on the Asakura-Aoriqileng bout as the strongest play on the card, per the site's weekly Weekend Lock series.

MMA News / TWSN / August 28

Kai Asakura vs Aoriqileng Prediction for UFC Shanghai

The UFC Shanghai main card features this scrap between former flyweight title challenger Kai Asakura and the “Mongolian Murderer” Aoriqileng, a bout that

MMA News / UFC on ClutchPoints / August 27

Kai Asakura vs. Aoriqileng prediction, odds, pick for UFC Shanghai

UFC Shanghai: Umar Nurmagomedov vs Song Yadong continues on the main card with a fight between Kai Asakura and Aoriqileng in the bantamweight division.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / August 26

Asakura Vows New Combination In Shanghai KO Bid

Kai Asakura plans to debut new striking sequences when he meets Qileng Aori at UFC Shanghai this Saturday. The former Rizin champion, who dropped his first

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / July 15

Kai Asakura faces Qileng Aori at UFC Shanghai Aug. 29

Kai Asakura will look to string together wins at bantamweight when he meets Qileng Aori at UFC Shanghai on Aug. 29, Sherdog reports. Asakura dropped his first two UFC bouts at flyweight — submitted by former champion Alexandre Pantoja and Tim Elliott — before moving to 135 pounds in May.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / June 1

UFC Monthly Report May 2026: Haddon, Ardelean, Asakura Win Top Awards

Cody Haddon's return from injury earned him the UFC's Breakout Performance award for May 2026 after he stopped Aoriqileng with a liver knee at UFC Macau.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / May 31

Kai Asakura on first UFC win: 'This was always my dream'

Kai Asakura says his first UFC victory fulfilled a lifelong ambition. The Japanese fighter secured the win at bantamweight and spoke afterwards about what the result meant to him.

MMA News / MMA Knockout On SI / May 30

Kai Asakura Thrills UFC Macau Crowd With Brutal Knockout for First UFC Victory

One UFC Macau star showed that a change in weight class was exactly what he needed to kick start his UFC career. Taking place at Galaxy Arena following back-to-back Road to UFC cards on Thursday and Friday, UFC Macau is headlined by a huge bantamweight tilt between former UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo and Song Yadong.

MMA News / UFC on ClutchPoints / May 28

Kai Asakura vs. Cameron Smotherman prediction, odds, pick for UFC Macau

UFC Macau: Song Yadong vs. Deiveson Figueiredo continues on the prelims with a fight between Kai Asakura and Cameron Smotherman in the bantamweight division on Saturday.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / April 2

Kai Asakura undergoes career shift for announced return after title shot in his UFC debut backfired

Kai Asakura benefitted from a lack of options in the flyweight division when he arrived in the UFC. Asakura was submitted by Alexandre Pantoja when being given the opportunity to challenge for the 125-pound title in his Octagon debut.

MMA News / MMA Knockout On SI / September 25, 2025

Former MMA champion announces major change following difficult start to UFC career

Former RIZIN star Kai Asakura has decided to return to the bantamweight division after starting his UFC run with back-to-back losses. One of the biggest

MMA News / Total Apex Sports / August 17, 2025

UFC 319 Results: Tim Elliott Dominates with 2nd Round Submission Over Kai Asakura

UFC 319’s main card is officially underway, and veteran Tim Elliott dominated the fight against Kai Asakura as he secured a second-round guillotine choke to win the fight.

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MMA News / Empire Sports Media / August 15, 2025

UFC 319 Preview and Prediction: Kai Asakura – Tim Elliott

Kicking off the PPV main card tomorrow night at UFC 319 is a fun scrap in the flyweight division between two former title challengers. 11th ranked Tim Elliott (20-13-1) makes his return as he takes on former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura (21-5).

MMA News / Empire Sports Media / June 27, 2025

UFC 317 Co-Main Event Preview and Prediction: Alexandre Pantoja – Kai Kara-France

In the co-main event of UFC 317, the flyweight title is on the line. Champion Alexandre Pantoja (29-5) will look to keep his incredibly impressive streak going and defend his title for the fourth time as he takes on top contender and knockout artist Kai Kara-France (25-11).

MMA News / Empire Sports Media / May 28, 2025

UFC 319 adds Kai Asakura – Tim Elliot

UFC 319 goes down in Chicago on August 16th and we just learned of a banger of a flyweight matchup that’s been added to the card. A pair of former flyweight title challengers will battle it out as Kai Asakura (21-5) returns to take on Tim Elliot (20-13-1).

MMA News / Dice City Sports / December 11, 2024

Three Takeaways as Pantoja Snoozes Asakura

The heavily awaited flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and rookie Kai Asakura was one of the ages. It was the last Pay-Per-View event for the year.

MMA News / MMA Knockout On SI / December 10, 2024

UFC Rankings: Alexandre Pantoja Moves up Pound-For-Pound, Kai Asakura Debuts

It's moving day in the UFC rankings. UFC 310 Results & Highlights – Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura While not the biggest pay-per-view of the year, UFC 310 delivered with many finishes and four divisions are forever changed in the aftermath.

MMA News / MMA Knockout On SI / December 9, 2024

Kai Asakura Speaks Out after Debut Loss to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 310

Kai Asakura's UFC championship dreams are far from over. It's not every day you see a fighter get a title shot in their UFC debut, but that was the case for Asakura, the two-time RIZIN Bantamweight Champion from Japan.

MMA News / Field Level Media / December 8, 2024

Alexandre Pantoja forces Kai Asakura to submit at UFC 310

Alexandre Pantoja made quick work of Kai Asakura with a second-round submission to defend his flyweight title in the main event of UFC 310 on Saturday in Las Vegas.

MMA News / MMA Knockout On SI / December 7, 2024

UFC 310: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura Full Card, Stream, Start Time, Odds

The UFC's final pay-per-view commences at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, headlined by two critically important fights in the flyweight and welterweight divisions.

MMA News / Empire Sports Media / December 6, 2024

UFC 310 Main Event Preview and Prediction: Alexandre Pantoja – Kai Asakura

Tomorrow night in the main event of UFC 310, the flyweight title is on the line. The champion Alexandre Pantoja (28-5) will be looking for his third successful title defense and his seventh win in a row as he takes on former Rizin bantamweight champion and UFC newcomer Kai Asakura (21-4).

MMA News / Field Level Media / December 6, 2024

Newcomer Kai Asakura aims to dethrone Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 310

Alexandre Pantoja will defend his UFC flyweight title in the final pay-per-view card of the year when he takes on the debuting Kai Asakura in the main event of UFC 310 on Saturday night in Las Vegas.