Kai Asakura makes eye-opening remark on Alexandre Pantoja ahead of their UFC 310 fight: "It only takes one shot"
Kai Asakura recently made a bold statement regarding his upcoming opponent Alexandre Pantoja, believing it will only take one clean hit to knockout the Brazilian.
Asakura will face Pantonja for the men's flyweight title at UFC 310 on Dec. 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The pair have been bumped up to the main event slot following Belal Muhammad's injury, with the bout also marking the Japanese fighter's debut in the promotion.
The 31-year-old has been tipped for major success in the UFC octagon after building up a stellar career in his native Japan under the Rings and RIZIN fight banners. Asakura is a former multi-time RIZIN bantamweight champion and has amassed a 21-4 professional record.
Ahead of his bout against Pantoja, Kai Asakura spoke to the UFC about his opponent and how he believes the fight will play out.
The flyweight contender believes he holds a big advantage in regards to power and hopes to etch his name in UFC history with a highlight reel knockout:
"I don’t see him [Pantoja] representing any problems for me anywhere. He’s someone I don’t think I’ll have any problem dealing with. 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.”
Brandon Royval predicts Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura
Brandon Royval recently discussed Kai Asakura's upcoming UFC debut and offered his prediction for the upcoming title bout against Alexandre Pantoja.
Asakura is hoping to make history by winning the men's flyweight title on his debut to become the first Japanese champion in the promotion's history. Pantoja, however, is looking to spoil the party and is hoping to defend his title for the third time.
Royval offered his take during the UFC Vegas 98 post-fight presser. 'Raw Dawg' said he has been following Asakura's career for a number of years but doesn't believe he will be able to do enough to stop Pantoja:
''I've been watching Kai Asakura for a while, I think he's sick. I think there's a lot of cool things, he's yet to make flyweight. So I'll be there and I'll be ready just in case he doesn't. That being said, I’ll give the man his roses, I think he brings a lot of excitement to the division, but I think if Pantoja grapples him at all, it’s gonna be over.”
Check out Brandon Rovyal's comments here (4:48):