Alexandre Pantoja pinpoints when Kai Asakura earned a fast ascent to title shot forward of UFC 310

UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja says Kai Asakura’s viral RIZIN spotlight reel was sufficient to warrant a UFC title shot for his debut.

Alexandre Pantoja will face a brand new problem within the type of Kai Asakura in the UFC 310 main event. In his newest UFC flyweight title protection, Pantoja will welcome former RIZIN famous person Asakura to the Octagon, in what could possibly be an instantaneous basic in flyweight historical past.

Asakura’s unprecedented UFC title shot is historic for a number of causes. He’s simply the twenty fourth fighter in UFC historical past to make a promotional debut in a championship combat, and if he wins this weekend, he’ll be the primary to win a belt in his first UFC look.

Some have been stunned that Asakura acquired an instantaneous UFC flyweight title shot and a large platform for his debut. However for Pantoja, after watching Asakura’s wild RIZIN spotlight reel, the Japanese star offered arguably the hardest on-paper problem of his profession.

• READ MORE: UFC 310 fighters rank the greatest KO’s of 2024 – Ciryl Gane even admits he studied Topuria’s finish over Holloway during camp

Alexandre Pantoja: Kai Asakura earned a title shot after I watched his RIZIN reel

Throughout his UFC 310 media day press convention, Pantoja was requested about giving the inexperienced mild to Asakura for a historic title shot in his debut.

“I acquired extra consideration about him, ‘Who is that this man, who can beat Kyoji as a result of Kyoji is so good?’” Pantoja defined. “I noticed I’ve an excellent fighter to combat. I’ve began to check him extra, and I see he fought Manel Kape. He gained one time and misplaced one time. He fought Ulka Sasaki. I fought with the identical man earlier than. Good coincidence, and I’m so blissful [about] that combat.

“It makes that like a crossover. It’s opened doorways for lots of excellent fighters all internationally. You could have so many good promotions, however after all, everybody needs the belt within the UFC.” (h/t MMA News)

Earlier than signing with the UFC, Asakura gained the RIZIN bantamweight title twice, together with a vicious knockout of former Bellator titleholder Juan Archuleta final December. Throughout his RIZIN tenure, Asakura tallied 5 first-round knockout wins, together with by soccer kicks towards Hiromasa Ougikubo at Rizin 23.

However, Asakura lost by knockout to a fighter Pantoja defeated simply earlier of their careers. Asakura’s quick-twitch putting, particularly within the early rounds, has left him inclined to heavy blows.

• READ MORE: Arman Tsarukyan cites Khamzat Chimaev’s ‘sensitivity’ as one of his key strengths in footage from UFC vs UFC grappling match

Alexandre Pantoja seems to spoil Kai Asakura’s UFC debut within the 12 months’s closing UFC PPV predominant occasion

Regardless of Asakura’s magnetic intrigue, Pantoja has confirmed to be one of many high pound-for-pound fighters on the planet throughout his six-fight successful streak. After successful the title over Brandon Moreno at UFC 290, he’s efficiently defended the belt towards Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg.

UFC 310 can be Pantoja’s second UFC predominant occasion in 2024, after going through off with Erceg within the UFC 301 predominant occasion. He gained by unanimous choice in one of many high-octane matchups of the 12 months.

Whereas Pantoja vs. Asakura isn’t getting the PPV pop as different matchups have this 12 months, it may probably crush pre-fight expectations. Pantoja’s getting ready for an additional explosive exhibiting from Asakura, however whether or not or not he’ll achieve success with that strategy stays to be seen.

• READ MORE: Ian Machado Garry goads Khamzat Chimaev over potential undefeated vs undefeated fight after ‘skinny kid’ comments

Associated Posts