- George Chung
- Nov 27, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 3, 2024
In a blockbuster announcement, the UFC has confirmed that newcomer Kai Asakura will make his promotional debut against reigning Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja in the main event of UFC 310: Pantoja vs. Asakura, set to take place on December 7, 2024, at the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
This highly anticipated bout marks a historic crossover, as Asakura brings his explosive style and championship pedigree from RIZIN to the world's premier MMA organization.
Kai Asakura: RIZIN’s Explosive Star Takes on the UFC
Kai Asakura, a former two-time RIZIN Bantamweight Champion, enters the UFC with a remarkable professional record of 21-4, boasting 16 finishes, including 13 knockouts and three submissions. Renowned for his striking precision and finishing ability, Asakura holds marquee victories over elite competition, including a win over current UFC No. 9 flyweight contender Manel Kape and former UFC flyweight title challenger Kyoji Horiguchi.
In his last RIZIN bout, the 30-year-old Tokyo native showcased his dominance by reclaiming his bantamweight title with a second-round finish of Juan Archuleta at RIZIN 45. Shortly after, Asakura announced his decision to vacate his title and pursue new challenges in the UFC. Now, he faces the ultimate test in his debut: a shot at the flyweight title against one of the division’s most decorated champions.
Alexandre Pantoja: A Dominant Reign
Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja is in the prime of his career, riding a six-fight win streak and holding an impressive 25-5 professional record. The Brazilian captured the belt in a thrilling contest against Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 and has since defended his title twice with unanimous decision victories over Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg.
Pantoja ranks third in UFC flyweight history for most wins (12), trailing only legends Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez. Known for his lethal grappling and well-rounded skill set, Pantoja has notched notable submission victories over Royval and Alex Perez, making him a formidable champion.
UFC 310 Main Card Highlights
The UFC 310 main card is stacked with thrilling matchups that promise an unforgettable night of fights:
Main Event: Alexandre Pantoja (c) vs. Kai Asakura – Flyweight Title Bout
Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Machado Garry – Welterweight Bout
Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov – Heavyweight Bout
Bryce Mitchell vs. Kron Gracie – Featherweight Bout
Nate Landwehr vs. Dooho Choi – Featherweight Bout
The prelims start at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, followed by the main card live on Pay-Per-View at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT.
