Tag: Kai Asakura

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura – Odds Shift and Match Preview

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura - Odds Shift and Match PreviewThe upcoming UFC flyweight title fight between champion Alexandre Pantoja and challenger Kai Asakura is generating significant interest in…

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura - Odds Shift and Match Preview

The upcoming UFC flyweight title fight between champion Alexandre Pantoja and challenger Kai Asakura is generating significant interest in the MMA world. This bout is scheduled to take place at UFC 310 on December 7, 2024, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura

The odds have shifted slightly since they were first released. Initially, Alexandre Pantoja opened as a -210 favorite, with Asakura as a +180 underdog. The current odds show a slight movement in Asakura’s favor, suggesting that some bettors see value in the challenger or believe he has a better chance than initially thought. Play the odds with online pokies right here.

It’s worth noting that while Alexandre Pantoja is favored, the odds aren’t overwhelmingly in his favor. This could be due to Asakura’s impressive record and finishing ability. The current odds for the UFC flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura reflect Pantoja’s status as the favorite to retain his championship. Pantoja is listed at 4/9 odds, while Asakura is the underdog at 7/4.

Brazil’s Alexandre Pantoja is the reigning UFC flyweight champion and has successfully defended his title twice already. He has an impressive record of 28 wins and only 5 losses, with a strong track record in the UFC. Pantoja’s experience in five-round championship fights and his familiarity with the UFC’s competition level give him a significant advantage.

Alexandre Pantoja UFC 310

He’s known for his well-rounded skillset, combining excellent Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with effective striking. Pantoja has been on a remarkable run in the UFC with wins over fighters such as Steve Erceg, Steve Erceg, Manel Kape, and Brandon Moreno.

Kai Asakura, while a talented fighter with a 21-4 record, is making his UFC debut in this title fight. He’s moving up from the Japanese promotion Rizin, where he was a bantamweight champion. However, transitioning to the UFC and dropping down to flyweight for the first time in years presents challenges that likely contribute to his underdog status.

The Japanese striker is known for his aggressive, finish-focused style, with 13 of his 21 wins coming by knockout. he trained in Karate when he was younger but would cut his teeth in street fights alongside his brother where the two were prepared to die. Eventually, he would go into boxing and transitioned to professional MMA. Most recently, he is coming off of a knockout win against Bellator champion Juan Archuleta.

Pantoja’s grappling ability and well-rounded game will be pitted against Asakura’s explosive striking and knockout power. While Pantoja has the advantage of UFC experience and a proven track record against top-tier competition, Asakura brings knockout power in his hands.

This fight is particularly significant as it represents a fresh challenge in the flyweight division. Pantoja has already defeated several top contenders, and Asakura’s entry into the UFC brings new blood to the weight class. It’s also a historic opportunity for Asakura, as a win would make him the first Japanese fighter to hold a UFC title since Kazushi Sakuraba captured a tournament crown in 1997.

This matchup promises to be an exciting clash between an established UFC champion and a dangerous newcomer.

What’s Next After UFC 309? Full Confirmed UFC 310 Main Card For T-Mobile Arena On Dec. 7

UFC 309 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 310 in Las Vegas. The promotion was in New York City last week, where the iconic Madison Square Garden played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest major card in “The Big […]

UFC 309 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 310 in Las Vegas.

The promotion was in New York City last week, where the iconic Madison Square Garden played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest major card in “The Big Apple.” Of note were headline wins for Jon Jones and Charles Oliveira, as well as important victories for Bo Nickal, Viviane Araújo, and Mauricio Ruffy.

While the aftermath of the Nov. 16 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the heavyweight title picture to the flyweight championship conversation.

At UFC 310, set for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Dec. 7, reigning kingpin Alexandre Pantoja will compete for the second time this year, once again in defense of his 125-pound gold. After following his crowning against Brandon Moreno with retentions opposite Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg, “The Cannibal” will next face a newcomer in the form of ex-Rizin champion Kai Asakura.

Stakes will also be high in the co-headliner, as Shavkat Rakhmonov looks to defend his spot as next in line for a shot at Belal Muhammad following the welterweight titleholder’s withdrawal due to injury. The replacement fight will see “Nomad” face a fellow undefeated contender in Ireland’s Ian Garry.

Gane, Mitchell, Landwehr Set The Stage For High-Profile Headliners At UFC 310

Before Pantoja defends his belt and Rakhmonov meets the challenge of “The Future,” a number of other notable names will take to the Octagon looking to make the most of their position on the major UFC 310 card.

That includes former interim heavyweight titleholder Ciryl Gane. Having not competed since knocking out Serghei Spivac in Paris last year, the Frenchman will return after 15 months to once again collide with Alexander Volkov. “Drago” finds himself with a chance for redemption against “Bon Gamin” after rising to #3 in the division courtesy of his triumph over Sergei Pavlovich in Saudi Arabia this past June.

Prior to that, ranked featherweight Bryce Mitchell will also get his sole outing of 2024 and first fight since being brutally slept by Josh Emmett at last year’s final pay-per-view. To bounce back, “Thug Nasty” is tasked with defending his spot on the ladder opposite a fellow grappling specialist in Kron Gracie. The 36-year-old returned from a near-four-year layoff in May 2023 but disappointed in defeat versus Charles Jourdain. After another lengthy layoff, he’ll hope to record his first win since 2019 at the expense of Mitchell.

And opening the UFC 310 main card will be a sure-fire firefight between Nate Landwehr and Dooho Choi. “The Train” will enter the event off the back of a KO victory over Jamall Emmers this past March, while “The Korean Superboy” — who sits as part of the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing owing to his 2016 war with Cub Swanson — rebounded from a four-fight winless run by stopping Bill Algeo in July for his first triumph in eight years.

Those pairings have gotten the nod to feature on the main card over the crucial featherweight contest between the #5-ranked Movsar Evloev and former bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling, which is currently slated to be the penultimate prelim.

See below for the full UFC 310 card, as it stands.

Main Card:

  • Flyweight Championship Main Event: Alexandre Pantoja (C) vs. Kai Asakura
  • Welterweight Co-Main Event: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry
  • Heavyweight: Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
  • Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Kron Gracie
  • Featherweight: Nate Landwehr vs. Dooho Choi

Preliminary Card:

  • Welterweight: Vicente Luque vs. Themba Gorimbo
  • Featherweight: Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling
  • Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes
  • Welterweight: Randy Brown vs. Bryan Battle

Early Preliminary Card:

  • Heavyweight: Tallison Teixeira vs. ?ukasz Brzeski
  • Flyweight: Cody Durden vs. Joshua Van
  • Lightweight: Clay Guida vs. Chase Hooper
  • Welterweight: Michael Chiesa vs. Max Griffin
  • Heavyweight: Martin Buday vs. Rizvan Kuniev
Aljamain Sterling
Aljamain Sterling faces Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 (Image: UFC.com)

What’s Next After UFC 309? Full Confirmed UFC 310 Main Card For T-Mobile Arena On Dec. 7

UFC 309 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 310 in Las Vegas. The promotion was in New York City last week, where the iconic Madison Square Garden played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest major card in “The Big […]

UFC 309 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 310 in Las Vegas.

The promotion was in New York City last week, where the iconic Madison Square Garden played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest major card in “The Big Apple.” Of note were headline wins for Jon Jones and Charles Oliveira, as well as important victories for Bo Nickal, Viviane Araújo, and Mauricio Ruffy.

While the aftermath of the Nov. 16 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the heavyweight title picture to the flyweight championship conversation.

At UFC 310, set for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Dec. 7, reigning kingpin Alexandre Pantoja will compete for the second time this year, once again in defense of his 125-pound gold. After following his crowning against Brandon Moreno with retentions opposite Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg, “The Cannibal” will next face a newcomer in the form of ex-Rizin champion Kai Asakura.

Stakes will also be high in the co-headliner, as Shavkat Rakhmonov looks to defend his spot as next in line for a shot at Belal Muhammad following the welterweight titleholder’s withdrawal due to injury. The replacement fight will see “Nomad” face a fellow undefeated contender in Ireland’s Ian Garry.

Gane, Mitchell, Landwehr Set The Stage For High-Profile Headliners At UFC 310

Before Pantoja defends his belt and Rakhmonov meets the challenge of “The Future,” a number of other notable names will take to the Octagon looking to make the most of their position on the major UFC 310 card.

That includes former interim heavyweight titleholder Ciryl Gane. Having not competed since knocking out Serghei Spivac in Paris last year, the Frenchman will return after 15 months to once again collide with Alexander Volkov. “Drago” finds himself with a chance for redemption against “Bon Gamin” after rising to #3 in the division courtesy of his triumph over Sergei Pavlovich in Saudi Arabia this past June.

Prior to that, ranked featherweight Bryce Mitchell will also get his sole outing of 2024 and first fight since being brutally slept by Josh Emmett at last year’s final pay-per-view. To bounce back, “Thug Nasty” is tasked with defending his spot on the ladder opposite a fellow grappling specialist in Kron Gracie. The 36-year-old returned from a near-four-year layoff in May 2023 but disappointed in defeat versus Charles Jourdain. After another lengthy layoff, he’ll hope to record his first win since 2019 at the expense of Mitchell.

And opening the UFC 310 main card will be a sure-fire firefight between Nate Landwehr and Dooho Choi. “The Train” will enter the event off the back of a KO victory over Jamall Emmers this past March, while “The Korean Superboy” — who sits as part of the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing owing to his 2016 war with Cub Swanson — rebounded from a four-fight winless run by stopping Bill Algeo in July for his first triumph in eight years.

Those pairings have gotten the nod to feature on the main card over the crucial featherweight contest between the #5-ranked Movsar Evloev and former bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling, which is currently slated to be the penultimate prelim.

See below for the full UFC 310 card, as it stands.

Main Card:

  • Flyweight Championship Main Event: Alexandre Pantoja (C) vs. Kai Asakura
  • Welterweight Co-Main Event: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry
  • Heavyweight: Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
  • Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Kron Gracie
  • Featherweight: Nate Landwehr vs. Dooho Choi

Preliminary Card:

  • Welterweight: Vicente Luque vs. Themba Gorimbo
  • Featherweight: Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling
  • Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes
  • Welterweight: Randy Brown vs. Bryan Battle

Early Preliminary Card:

  • Heavyweight: Tallison Teixeira vs. ?ukasz Brzeski
  • Flyweight: Cody Durden vs. Joshua Van
  • Lightweight: Clay Guida vs. Chase Hooper
  • Welterweight: Michael Chiesa vs. Max Griffin
  • Heavyweight: Martin Buday vs. Rizvan Kuniev
Aljamain Sterling
Aljamain Sterling faces Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 (Image: UFC.com)

Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry Official For UFC 310, Colby Covington Fills vs. Buckley

After a toe infection to Belal Muhammad forced the UFC welterweight champion out of UFC 310, the Dec. 7 card now has an answer to who will be headlining. Per an announcement from UFC CEO Dana White that dropped during Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, intended title challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov will no longer be competing […]

After a toe infection to Belal Muhammad forced the UFC welterweight champion out of UFC 310, the Dec. 7 card now has an answer to who will be headlining.

Per an announcement from UFC CEO Dana White that dropped during Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, intended title challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov will no longer be competing in the main event of UFC 310.

Tha Kazakh star has instead been moved to the co-main event slot and will face fellow undefeated contender Ian Garry in a five-round, non-title fight.

The UFC flyweight championship match between champion Alexandre Pantoja and his latest challenger, debutant Kai Asakura, has been promoted to the new UFC 310 main event.

Furthermore, as a result of Garry competing at UFC 310, Colby Covington will be filling in for him in the UFC Tampa main event on Dec. 14 against the Irishman’s originally booked opponent, Joaquin Buckley.

Garry Replaces Muhammad In UFC 310 Bout vs. Rakhmonov, Pantoja vs. Asakura Promoted To Main Event

Rakhmonov became next in line for the welterweight title after his finish of Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, as well as Muhammad’s title win against Leon Edwards at UFC 304. But “Nomad” will now have to put his shot on the line in a matchup with Garry.

The Irish rising star has fought twice in 2024, earning decision wins over Geoff Neal in February and Michael “Venom” Page four months later.

Garry and Covington, meanwhile, had been linked to face one another over the course of the last year due to intense hatred between the two seen across social media. “Chaos,” however, has previously stated that he does not feel “The Future” deserves a fight with him.

Covington is also on the outside looking in of the welterweight title picture, having not fought since his own disappointing outing against Edwards at UFC 296 last year.

Buckley, on the other hand, has won five straight, most recently knocking out “Wonderboy” at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City just last month.

Kai Asakura’s Last Opponent Analyzes How He Will Fair At Flyweight    

In the build up to UFC 310 on December 7, a lot of fights fans are going to get introduced to Kai Asakura for the very first time. The Japanese star is set to challenge Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title on his debut with the promotion after signing to the UFC from RIZIN. Alongside […]

Continue Reading Kai Asakura’s Last Opponent Analyzes How He Will Fair At Flyweight     at MMA News.

In the build up to UFC 310 on December 7, a lot of fights fans are going to get introduced to Kai Asakura for the very first time. The Japanese star is set to challenge Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title on his debut with the promotion after signing to the UFC from RIZIN.

Alongside fighting in Las Vegas for the first time, this massive opportunity for Asakura also comes with a change in weight class. During his career in RIZIN, the 31-year old competed mostly at bantamweight against the likes of Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi.

In his last outing in Japan before making the switch to his new home, Asakura defeated former Bellator champion Juan Archuleta to win the bantamweight title. He secured the second round finish on New Year’s Eve to cap off his run in style.

Speaking in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Archuleta gave his thoughts on Asakura signing to the UFC and how he believes he will compete at the top of the flyweight division. Having remained in contact with his former opponent since their fight in December, he was able to share some first-hand impressions of what the UFC’s new arrival will look like at 125-pounds.

“I think he’s very explosive. It seems like he’s really getting his body in tune. Last time I seen him when I was in Japan, he was a lot smaller than when we fought and I was like, ‘Oh yeah, you’re doing well’. I reached out to him last night actually because he was posting some Instagram pictures. I was like, ‘Hey, how you feeling?’ He’s like, ‘Oh I’m so ready, I’m so excited,’ and this is a new venture for him, this is something that he wanted and wanted to do going forward and I’m super excited.

“I mean, and it’s a title fight right off the bat like not many guys get a title right in the UFC right off the bat and so it’s like go get it man. You have the tools and the athleticism to go get it done and I think he’s well prepared now. I think he got down to a weight class, Japanese guys aren’t very dense in their muscles but they’re very explosive.”   

Continue Reading Kai Asakura’s Last Opponent Analyzes How He Will Fair At Flyweight     at MMA News.

Kai Kara-France Slams UFC For Awarding Title Shot To Newcomer Asakura

Kai Kara-France recently condemned the UFC’s decision to grant a title shot to Kai Asakura in his promotional debut. It’s a rare occurrence for a fighter to step into the Octagon for their first fight in a title bout, yet that’s precisely the path Asakura will take as he is set to challenge reigning flyweight […]

Continue Reading Kai Kara-France Slams UFC For Awarding Title Shot To Newcomer Asakura at MMA News.

Kai Kara-France recently condemned the UFC’s decision to grant a title shot to Kai Asakura in his promotional debut.

It’s a rare occurrence for a fighter to step into the Octagon for their first fight in a title bout, yet that’s precisely the path Asakura will take as he is set to challenge reigning flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja in the co-main event of UFC 310. This exciting matchup is set to take place on December 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

However, Kara-France, who was campaigning for a title shot himself after his first-round knockout victory over Steve Erceg at UFC 305, voiced his disapproval of Asakura receiving an immediate opportunity to fight for the belt.

During a recent interview with Sky Sport NZ, “Don’t Blink” stated that the 31-year-old Japanese fighter did not deserve a shot at UFC gold. He expressed that it feels unjust for dedicated fighters in the 125-pound category, who have put in the hard work to rise through the ranks, to be overlooked for a title shot.

“They’ve got the wrong Kai,” Kara-France said. “After my fight, I was calling for the title shot, and I was thinking, ‘Sweet, I’ve got it,’ and then I heard they’re bringing in a guy from Japan, and his name’s Kai. Bro, he hasn’t even fought yet. I don’t think he deserves it. You’ve got to at least show your worth or do something for guys who have been grinding for years in the UFC division, fighting the best guys.

We’ve proven that we belong here, so I don’t know. That’s just how I feel about it. It’s weird that you can come in off no fights in the UFC and get a title shot. Hey, but if it’s going to bring in more attention to the flyweight division, you know, a bit of controversy, if this guy deserves it, yeah, he can go out there and prove it.”

Kara-France challenged for the interim flyweight title against former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 277 in July 2022 but fell short, suffering a third-round TKO. The 31-year-old Kiwi has been a fixture in the UFC since 2018, compiling a respectable 8-4 record.

After signing an exclusive deal with the UFC, Asakura vacated his two-time RIZIN bantamweight championship, where he was a standout for nearly six years. He compiled an impressive record of 13-3 in the promotion, securing victories over notable opponents like Kyoji Horiguchi, Juan Archuleta, and Manel Kape.

Continue Reading Kai Kara-France Slams UFC For Awarding Title Shot To Newcomer Asakura at MMA News.