Media Bragging Rights: Pantoja vs Asakura - Who wins and how?

[svmr_db]

Predict the main event for bragging rights! Who wins and by what method of victory? Lock in your pick before the poll closes!

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Asakura KO/TKO

 

[rjmbrd]

Other than Pantoja looking old overnight, which is possible in the lighter weight divisions, is there any serious threat here?

This was a fun surprise signing by the UFC but I don't see Asakura being a favorite. Its a huge step up in competition, different rule set and the big show debut is often bumpy in and of itself.

Standard hedge "its MMA anything can happen" and Asakura is a hitter. IMO he gets outclassed 3 of 5 rounds, ideally with a few thrilling moments. He will get out grappled as needed.

 

[fortheo]

Brain says Pantoja by submission, heart says Asakura by ko within 3.

 

[Pompey Junglist]

Pantoja. RNC. Round 3.

 

[mkess101]

Pantoja. RNC. Round 3.

Yep same. Rd 2 maybe, but somewhere in that area.

 

[NextGen]

Pantoja has a great chin. I'd be very surprised if he got knocked out.

Pantoja by submission is my guess.

 

[CrimsonFan]

Pantoja by submission seems like the obvious pick. Or decision.

I admittedly haven't watched his opponents fights. But I still feel confident in my prediction

 

[Bobby Boulders]

It's a very hard fight to judge, bc of many different factors, and the fact that Pantoja has never been finished, but apparently Kai was back to BW within an hour or weighing in, and doesn't appear to have had a bad cut at all. That was a big variable. He's fought in a cage before, although that and the shitty rule change might be issues, and he loved cornering opponents and loves down knees and soccer kicks. But if either of these fighters has a signature finish, it's Kai's knees to the body. He's extremely fast in throwing them, and mixes them in with combos on the fly. That's as good a guess as any

 

[Bobby Boulders]

Pantoja has a great chin. I'd be very surprised if he got knocked out.

Pantoja by submission is my guess.

It's not really his chin that he needs to worry about, it's his gut

 

[Hdfi]

Pantoja is more complete as a fighter but he is getting old and Asakura hits harder and is faster. I think Pantoja will fight smart and outgrapple him but anything can happen.

Pantoja by decision (60%)

 

[NextGen]

It's not really his chin that he needs to worry about, it's his gut

He's never been finished before. Could it happen tonight? Sure, but it'd be pretty bold to predict it.

 

[flektarn]

Pantoja first round sub LETS GO

 

[OleBuffalo]

I’ve picked against Pantoja a few times & each time he reminds me how much of a mean little SOB he is, so I think it’ll be the same type of thing where his grappling and overall savagery will be enough

 

[svmr_db]

Bump, let's get some more votes in!

 

[jeskola]

Pantoja by decision 50-45

 

[Trupsi]

Logical decision would be Pantoja DEC via TD and control.... But I'll try Kai via KO.

 

[rjmbrd]

Brain says Pantoja by submission, heart says Asakura by ko within 3.

Out of curiosity, why?

To mix things up?

 

[HI SCOTT NEWMAN]

I am going with Pantoja by unanimous decision, but I won't be surprised if Pantoja wins by submission either, he could tap him. Heavily favor Pantoja anyways, I feel he is quite underrated.

 

[TDBar]

Pantoja via choke within 3 rounds