When Kai Asakura steps into the Octagon on December 7 at UFC 310 to challenge Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title, he will become the seventh fighter from Japan to challenge for UFC gold.
Thus far, competitors from the nation with unspeakably deep roots in martial arts and the formative development of the sport have been unsuccessful when it comes to reaching the top of any division in the biggest promotion in mixed martial arts.
Asakura is aiming to change all that, amongst other things.
Order UFC 310: Pantoja vs Asakura
“Until now, there have been many fighters In the UFC from Japan who have fought and tried to win a title, and none of them have been successful,” began Asakura in advance of his headlining clash with Pantoja next weekend at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.