Kai Asakura - News & Rumors - UFC | FOX Sports

Second straight knockout win Asakura defeated Aori Qileng via TKO (strikes) at 0:34 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Shanghai, China.

Impact Asakura was granted a shot at the UFC Flyweight Championship in his company debut back in December 2024. He predictably struggled that evening in what was not his natural weight class. He took one more flyweight fight, being submitted by Tim Elliott last August. He returned to bantamweight in late May and has now knocked out Cameron Smotherman and Qileng in a span of three months. Asakura is both a creative and explosive striker. He staggered Qileng with a head kick before pouncing and finishing him off. Don't be surprised if he has continued success at 135 pounds.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

UFC Shanghai Picks: Three Best Bets for Saturday's Fight Card | Deadspin.com Get three UFC Shanghai betting picks, including Umar Nurmagomedov, Kai Asakura and Rei Tsuruya ahead of Saturday's Fight Night card.

2 DAYS AGO • DEADSPIN.COM

Booked for UFC Shanghai Asakura will face Aori Qileng in a flyweight bout at UFC Shanghai on Aug. 29, per Marcel Dorff of Heavy on Sports.

Impact Asakura is coming off a cathartic first win in the UFC after starting 0-2 in the promotion, taking down Cameron Smotherman in May. He'll now face a fighter far more experienced than himself in Aori Qileng, although the latter is coming off a loss his last time in the Octagon.

JULY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Finally earns first UFC win Asakura defeated Cameron Smotherman via KO (Punches) at 1:50 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Macau, China.

Impact The UFC went out of their way to get Asakura his first UFC win, and to his credit, he responded with a strong effort. Gifted what was essentially a home game against an opponent that had lost back-to-back fights and had to fly halfway around the world to get to the arena, Asakura simply unloaded on the feet in the early going, melting Smotherman in the process. Asakura moved up to bantamweight for this fight after competing at flyweight for his first two company bouts. Given the success he had, a permanent stay at 135 pounds certainly feels like the most likely outcome.

MAY 30 • ROTOWIRE

"Make Kai Asakura vs. Petr Yan" - Fans react to Kai Asakura's spectacular knockout win in bantamweight debut at UFC Macau Fans finally got the version of Kai Asakura they expected to see when the former RIZIN champion first arrived in the UFC.

MAY 30 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Taking on Smotherman in May Asakura will face Cameron Smotherman at UFC Macau on May 30, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.

Impact Asakura will head into the bout looking for his first UFC victory in three tries. The 32-year-old Japanese fighter will have to overcome a slight disadvantage in height compared to the younger American. With a professional record of 13-3 in KO/TKO finishes, Asakura will likely be looking to use his stopping power to end this one early.

APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE

Tim Elliott says broken leg in Kai Asakura fight at UFC 319 will shelf him for 8 weeks If Charles Johnson wants a fight with Tim Elliott, he'll have to wait a little extra.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

Kai Asakura accepts 'harsh criticism' after UFC 319 loss Kai Asakura, now 0-2 in the UFC, hears the criticism loud and clear and is trying to channel it properly.

AUGUST 19, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

Remains winless in UFC Asakura lost to Tim Elliott via submission (guillotine choke) at 4:39 of Round 2 at UFC 319 on Saturday in Chicago, Illinois.

Impact Asakura looked like the hunter in Round 1, narrowly missing with big shots as Elliott displayed his awkward movements. This all changed at the end of the frame, as Asakura got slammed into side control and saw time expire on his back. The Japanese fighter looked timid in Round 2, allowing Elliott to come forward and ultimately find the takedown that ended the fight. Asakura was a must-watch in Rizin for his dynamic finishing ability, but he has always been reliant on finding one big shot. This, combined with his inability to defend takedowns, could lead to more problems going forward. Asakura falls to 21-6-0 in professional MMA due to the loss.

AUGUST 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

UFC 319: Tim Elliott post-fight interview UFC 319 winner Tim Elliott spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters post-fight after his second-round submission of Kai Asakura.

AUGUST 17, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

UFC 319: Tim Elliott vs. Kai Asakura: Live round-by-round updates Tim Elliott has been a constant presence in the UFC’s flyweight division for over a decade.

AUGUST 16, 2025 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

UFC 319: Tim Elliott media day interview UFC 319 fighter Tim Elliott spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at media day for his main card bout vs. Kai Asakura.

AUGUST 13, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

UFC 319: Kai Asakura media day interview UFC 319 fighter Kai Asakura spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at media day for his main card bout vs. Tim Elliott on Saturday in Chicago.

AUGUST 13, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

Ilia Topuria seeks to join elite UFC company when he meets Charles Oliveira for lightweight title

Former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria will enter the octagon for potentially the biggest fight of his career

JUNE 26, 2025 • Associated Press

Kai Asakura returns at UFC 319 vs. Tim Elliott Former RIZIN star Kai Asakura debuted in a UFC title fight and came up short.

MAY 27, 2025 • USATODAY.COM

Contender fight scheduled Asakura is scheduled to compete against fellow flyweight Tim Elliott at UFC 319 in Chicago on Aug. 16, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.

Impact Considering that Asakura's last fight was an unsuccessful attempt at winning gold, it only makes sense that his next bout is against a contender. Elliott may not have fought anyone since 2023, but his last fight is a first-round submission win over Su Madaerji.

MAY 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE