Kai Asakura will move up from flyweight to bantamweight and plans to recondition his body for the higher weight class. The move could occur next year as Asakura targets a stronger start at 135 pounds. Asakura began his UFC run with an immediate title shot but lost to Alexandre Pantoja via rear-naked choke in the second round at UFC 310. A subsequent fight against Tim Elliott ended in a second-round guillotine-choke loss. Those consecutive submission defeats prompted the decision to change divisions. No opponent has been named for the bantamweight debut.
"Asakura (21-6) has endured a difficult start to his UFC career. The Japanese contender debuted with considerable fanfare, receiving an immediate title shot against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 310. The opportunity, however, was short-lived. Pantoja secured a rear-naked choke in the second round to hand Asakura a disappointing setback in his first Octagon appearance."
"Asakura's second outing offered little improvement. Paired with veteran Tim Elliott, a tough but winnable matchup on paper, he was submitted by guillotine choke in the second round. The setback appeared to serve as a wake-up call, prompting Asakura to make the move up to bantamweight at 135 pounds."
Read at Cageside Press
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