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Kai Asakura has officially vacated his RIZIN bantamweight title to join the UFC. The announcement came during Sunday’s RIZIN 47 event in Tokyo, marking a significant shift in the career of the two-time RIZIN champion. Asakura, who holds a 13-3 record in RIZIN, moves to the UFC after consecutive wins over Yuki Motoya and Juan Archuleta, reclaiming his title in December 2023.
The UFC has yet to confirm Asakura’s signing or provide details on his debut fight. However, Asakura made his intentions clear:
“I am giving up my belt and going to the UFC. I think there will be an announcement from the UFC soon, but it’s official that I’m going. This should be exciting news, but right now I feel very lonely. I believe that thanks to RIZIN, I, who was originally no one, was recognized as a fighter, a martial artist, a man. And last year, on New Year’s Eve, it was Mr. Sakakibara who accepted my selfish request to go to the UFC without a single defense. I would like to thank Mr. Sakakibara from the bottom of my heart for his support. Thank you very much.”
Asakura’s time in RIZIN has been marked by notable victories over fighters like Kyoji Horiguchi, Manel Kape, and Ulka Sasaki. Reflecting on his journey, Asakura said,
“There’s a regret that I lost three main games in a row on New Year’s Eve, but I also became a champion twice. I love RIZIN and its fans. I will definitely become a champion at UFC and I will bring fans from all over the world with me, so make sure to look forward to it. I hope you will continue to support me.”
Asakura’s transition to the UFC is set to bring new excitement to the bantamweight division, and fans eagerly await his debut. With his impressive record and determination, Asakura is poised to make a significant impact in the octagon.
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