Kai Asakura

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Fighter bio

Kai Asakura – General Profile

Kai Asakura is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the UFC’s flyweight division. Born on October 31, 1993, in Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan, he is known for his explosive striking and fan-friendly style. As of July 1, 2025, he is ranked #15 in the UFC flyweight rankings.

MMA Career

Asakura began his professional MMA career in 2012, fighting in promotions such as DEEP, Rings: The Outsider, Road FC, and RIZIN. He became a two-time RIZIN bantamweight champion and earned a reputation for fast finishes, with 13 knockouts in his 21 wins.

In June 2024, he signed with the UFC and made a rare champ-vs-debutant flyweight title fight on December 7, 2024, at UFC 310 against Alexandre Pantoja. Asakura started strong but was submitted in the second round.

He rebounded by scheduling a return bout against Tim Elliott at UFC 319 on August 16, 2025.

Fighting Style

Known for his orthodox striking, Asakura combines karate, sumo, and kickboxing techniques with high-speed footwork and powerful knees and kicks. He achieved 13 KOs and 3 submissions in his pro career, with 12 of those finishes coming in the first round.

Personal Life

He got into MMA after a street-fight with his brother around age 18, which revealed his natural fighting talent. He also holds a black belt in Zen Do Kai karate and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Record & Recent Developments

As of July 2025, Asakura’s professional MMA record stands at 21–5, including 13 knockouts, 3 submissions, and 5 decisions. His UFC debut ended in a second-round submission loss, but his debut title shot is considered one of the boldest in UFC history, and he remains a high-profile fighter in the flyweight division.