![Kai Asakura (left) weighs in on Alexandre Pantoja (right) bout [Image credits: Getty Images]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/cc17b-17327495845161-1920.jpg)
![Kai Asakura (left) weighs in on Alexandre Pantoja (right) bout [Image credits: Getty Images]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Kai Asakura will have the opportunity to fight for the UFC gold in his promotional debut as he challenges Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title at UFC 310 on Dec. 7. He recently discussed his path to victory, while claiming that his opponent is well-rounded, but not special in any area of mixed martial arts.
Speaking to E. Spencer Kyte of UFC.com, the two-time Rizin bantamweight champion claimed:
"Pantoja is great at everything, but he’s not special at anything; he doesn’t have a unique skill in one area that makes him better than anyone else. What makes him better than anyone else is his heart — he’s got great heart, and that’s what makes him a great champion, but I don’t see him representing any problems for me anywhere. He’s someone I don’t think I’ll have any problem dealing with."
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Asakura added:
"The advantage I hold over Pantoja is that I have one-shot knockout power, so it only takes one shot. And I’m expecting this fight to be over with one shot. I know in the history of the UFC, there have been many famous knockout scenes, but I’m hoping that at UFC 310, I can add my finish to those highlight reels."
Kai Asakura shares his goals for MMA in Japan
Kai Asakura expressed that he has lofty goals of increasing the popularity of mixed martial arts in Japan, while also hoping to show the nation's talent. During his recent interview with E. Spencer Kyte of UFC.com, he discussed his plans ahead of his promotional debut at UFC 310.
Asakura noted that there have been several Japanese fighters to reach the UFC, but none have won a title:
"I feel like there is an impression amongst fight fans that Japanese fighters aren’t that strong, so my goal is to go there and prove that the Japanese fighters are amongst the best fighters in the world. I want to bring back MMA’s popularity in Japan, and provide a place where my friends, teammates, and other fighters are able to earn a living in Japan."
