‘I used to be nonetheless weak’… Kai Asakura breaks his silence after UFC 310 title loss in promotional debut

UFC flyweight debutee Kai Asakura has addressed combat followers publically for the primary time since falling to Alexandre Pantoja within the UFC 310 essential occasion.

Kai Asakura’s bid to turn out to be the UFC’s second-ever Japanese-born champion fell brief within the UFC 310 main event on Saturday in Las Vegas. After a quick ascent to a title shot in his debut, Alexandre Pantoja proved to Asakura that there are ranges within the flyweight division, tapping Asakura by rear-naked choke.

It was Asakura’s first flyweight look since 2017 and his first stoppage loss since a knockout defeat to former UFC title challenger Kyoji Horiguchi at Rizin 26. The elite striker wasn’t capable of stand up to Pantoja’s wrestling tempo and strain regardless of a torrid begin.

Hours after struggling his first UFC defeat, Asakura was brutally sincere along with his following on social media.

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Kai Asakura speaks on UFC 310 title loss to Alexandre Pantoja

In an announcement to his social media pages, Asakura addressed his following for the primary time since UFC 310.

“Thanks a lot for all of your help, I’m sorry I couldn’t repay you with outcomes,” Asakura stated.

“He was an ideal champion and I used to be nonetheless weak. I didn’t attain it this time, however I’ll positively climb up and turn out to be the champion. I’ve all the time executed that, and I’ll maintain doing it till I obtain it. I’ll come again stronger.”

Asakura is simply 31 years outdated and has loads of time to proper the ship in his UFC profession. The loss snapped a two-fight profitable streak over former Bellator champ Juan Archuleta and Yuku Motoya in Rizin.

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Kai Asakura provides to resurgent UFC flyweight division

Earlier than signing with the UFC, Asakura made himself into a worldwide star in a long-decorated tenure in Rizin. Throughout his promotional stint, he earned wild soccer kick knockouts and cemented himself as one of the harmful flyweights on the earth.

Asakura gained the then-vacant Rizin bantamweight championship by defeating Hiromasa Ougikubo at Rizin 23. After regaining the title towards Archuleta final 12 months, the UFC pushed exhausting to signal Asakura in free company, after Asakura made his intentions recognized in a post-fight speech.

As for Pantoja, he continues to show himself as one of many high pound-for-pound fighters on the earth following one other signature efficiency at UFC 310. Earlier than the win over Asakura, Pantoja fought in his first profession UFC pay-per-view headliner at UFC 301, defeating Steve Erceg by unanimous choice.

Pantoja has cleaned house amongst a lot of the high flyweight contenders within the UFC. Asakura might probably get proper again within the title dialog with a win or two in 2025.

For now, Asakura continues to be coping with the agony of defeat as he plots his UFC comeback subsequent 12 months. Whereas he’s upset in his efficiency, the loss to Pantoja could possibly be the catalyst he must ultimately earn the elusive UFC gold.

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