Alexandre Pantoja, Kai Asakura’s Subsequent Finest Fights After UFC 310 Outcomes

Alexandre Pantoja remained the king of the flyweight division whereas Kai Asakura got here wanting making historical past at UFC 310. The place each go subsequent is now the highest query to ask at 125 kilos.

For Pantoja, the third profitable title protection makes him essentially the most profitable champion within the division since Demetrious Johnson. Mighty Mouse as soon as defended the belt 11 instances whereas nobody aside from Pantoja has defended it 3 times since.

The subsequent batch of contenders for Pantoja could possibly be some acquainted names. Asakura was capable of get a title shot in his UFC debut, partially, as a result of there was a dearth of rivals on the prime of the load class.

Right here, we’ll check out the champion’s subsequent greatest choices and the place Asakura may go now that he did not turn into Japan’s first UFC champion.

There is a motive the UFC introduced in a champion from one other promotion to tackle Pantoja. There are a couple of recent faces who’re on the cusp of a title shot, however the choices are principally restricted to some acquainted names.

Brandon Moreno stands out as the highest possibility when factoring in sensible prospects.

The previous champion misplaced his belt to Pantoja, however it was a aggressive cut up choice that he’d wish to have again. After scoring a win over rising contender Amir Albazi in November he called out his former rival.

A cut up choice loss to Brandon Royval again in February is the strongest argument towards Moreno getting his rematch. The opposite Brandon may definitely be subsequent in line, however his different win after beating Moreno was a cut up choice towards Tatsuro Taira.

In the end, both Brandon goes to be exhausting to push in the principle occasion slot. If the UFC needs to proceed advertising Pantoja as a fundamental eventer, the one possibility is the one which Pantoja needs greater than something.

The Brazilian’s response to former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson retiring revealed a want to see the perfect flyweight ever.

“Now he retired, and now UFC can contract him once more,” Pantoja instructed MMA Fighting. “The one factor I can take into consideration is that. I do not know if they will try this.”

Regardless of Pantoja’s needs that basically seems like a protracted shot. Johnson was a dominant UFC champion with 11 consecutive defenses, however the UFC traded him to ONE in trade for Ben Askren again in 2018.

Kai Asukara could have come wanting changing into the primary UFC debutant to win a title, however he is nonetheless an thrilling addition to a division that wants new challenger.

His knockout energy goes to attract lots of followers if he will get the best matchups. A date with Kai Kara-France may do the trick. Kara-France is not afraid to face and strike. His first-round knockout win over Steve Erceg is an efficient instance.

Kara-France is trying to get again into the title image after back-to-back losses to Brandon Moreno. A win over Asukara would assist that trigger.

On the similar time, Kara-France is a enjoyable stylistic matchup for a knockout artist like Asukara.

If the UFC is trying to actually pique Japanese curiosity then a matchup with Tatsuro Taira as a headliner for a struggle night time card can be a sensible transfer. Taira is coming off a cut up choice loss to Brandon Royval after a 16-0 begin to his profession.

Taking up a veteran like Asukara would depart considered one of them with a very good shot at incomes a high-profile title eliminator.

The opposite possibility is for Asakura to return to the load class the place he was champion within the RIZIN Preventing Federation. This bout really marked his first time at flyweight since 2018.

If he isn’t trying to make the load minimize once more then a matchup towards fellow former flyweight Deiveson Figuereido would make sense for each events.

Figueiredo can also be abnormally highly effective for a smaller striker and is trying to make inroads within the 135-pound weight class.