Media Who is Kai Asakura? A Rising Star from Rizin challenging for the UFC Title

[uled]

Kai Asakura’s rise to fame in MMA isn’t just about his highlight-reel knockouts but also his compelling background. Growing up in Toyohashi, Japan, Kai was raised in a tough environment where both he and his older brother Mikuru Asakura, another top fighter, turned to martial arts as a form of self-defense.

They were no strangers to street fights during their youth, and their shared experience in overcoming bullying and hardship brought them closer, sparking their passion for combat sports.

Kai has frequently spoken about how their childhood struggles forged the foundation of their careers, as both brothers developed a sense of purpose through martial arts.

As a result of this bond, Kai and Mikuru began training together early on, refining their skills and pushing each other to excel. Their shared journey led them both into professional MMA, where Kai found his calling in Rizin, Japan’s premier MMA promotion.

The brothers still train together at Triforce Akasaka, one of the top gyms in Tokyo, known for producing high-level talent. Training at Triforce Akasaka, Kai has worked alongside his brother and other high-level fighters, helping him to sharpen his versatile and explosive style.

His gym environment allows him to focus on all aspects of his game, from his crisp striking to his grappling transitions, constantly evolving with the help of his training partners.

Kai’s fighting style is marked by speed, power, and unpredictability. He is predominantly a striker, known for his precise and dangerous boxing, combined with an aggressive, come-forward approach.

His ability to time his opponents, often using feints to draw them in, is what makes his stand-up game so exciting. He’s also developed a solid understanding of grappling, especially in scrambles, making him a well-rounded fighter who can handle himself both standing and on the ground.

His most famous moment came when he knocked out Kyoji Horiguchi in 2019, a moment that made the MMA world take notice. His career in Rizin has featured many thrilling battles, including wars with the likes of Manel Kape and Hiromasa Ougikubo.

Asukura fights are always exciting because of his aggressive, knockout-hunting style, combined with his technical acumen. His ability to put his opponents away or control the fight with well-timed strikes makes him a dangerous opponent in every matchup.

Overall, Kai Asakura’s journey is one of growth, resilience, and family loyalty. His fights are a must-watch for anyone who loves fast-paced, high-stakes MMA action, and with his continued rise in Rizin, it’s clear his story is only just beginning. Dive into the videos below and see why Kai Asakura is one of the most exciting fighters to watch in MMA today.

Is this the first ever a non-ufc fighter signs with UFC and goes straight for a titleshot?

This is more or less a flashback when Chuck Liddell went to Pride for that grand prix.

 

[uled]

Kai has never fought at 125, for those wondering. He has fought in a cage, but early in his career, has been quite a while.

He is the catalyst for the creation of Japan Top Team, which brings in training partners and coaches from all over the world to prepare for fights.

Also if he will win will UFC consider to make a return to Tokyo?

 

[Dreyga_King of Sherbums]

Is this the first ever a non-ufc fighter signs with UFC and goes straight for a titleshot?

This is more or less a flashback when Chuck Liddell went to Pride for that grand prix.

I believe Gilbert Melendez and Joe Soto fought for the belt on their debut

 

[FlyingDeathKick]

What in the frick? Taira would have made more sense, heck people even said Horiguchi should need a couple wins if he came back but they refused to sign him and give this guy an immediate title shot? I guess going 1-1 with Kyoji isn't bad but Kyoji won the rematch and is the better fighter..

 

[Fraz]

Industry plant.

 

[Dreyga_King of Sherbums]

Industry plant.

Me????

 

[Ares Black]

Looks like a fun fighter but honestly why get rid of Mokaev if this is the best opponent you can offer the champ? UFC has handled the FLW division horribly.

They didn't get rid of Mokaev because he wasn't good, or even because he wasn't exciting. They cut him because he was wildly unprofessional and a huge pain in the ass.

 

[payton]

Sooo...we're just done with rankings at this point right?

Yep. Its pure entertainment now.

 

[Bobby Boulders]

Also if he will win will UFC consider to make a return to Tokyo?

Dana implied last week that that is what it will take to get back in Japan (I think he was also banking on Taira winning last night, to a degree). He was really careful with his words, but said that it will take stars to get them there, as Japan is a hard place to get into.

RIZIN is extremely popular there and they're back to selling out Saitama with 40k in the crowd. He and Dana have had in person discussions a couple of times over the last year or so, and I wouldn't be surprised if Sak said something along the lines to, "If you sign our guys (Asakura, but was also trying to get Horiguchi in again, UFC wouldn't pay for him) and they succeed, we will help you get into Japan again." Sak is still friendly with the yakuza, they lost a TV deal a couple of years back behind some yakuza mess, so I presume that he'd broker an arrangement for the UFC to come back in without them being in the UFC's business, but will want to sell it like RIZIN's best went to the UFC and they're competing with the best in the world. Sak isn't making moves that don't potentially benefit RIZIN in the long run.

Time will tell how this unfolds.

 

[fortheo]

Looks like a fun fighter but honestly why get rid of Mokaev if this is the best opponent you can offer the champ? UFC has handled the FLW division horribly.

Because everyone hated working with mokaev. It had nothing to do with talent.

 

[fortheo]

I don't think he is a complete fighter. I think he is fun but it would suck to see him just get taken down and dealt with.

What makes you think he's not complete? Were there fights that I should watch where he showed big weaknesses in certain areas?

 

[markys00]

I like this. For years, the UFC pretended that the only talent that mattered was in the UFC.

Now it's getting closer to a return to the old days where they recognize that there are some very good top fighters in other orgs.

Looks like the UFC feeder programs aren't working out.

What? Why even pretend this is a thing? There are lots of reasons to hate on UFC/Dana, but this ain't it chief.

 

[NoSmilez]

What makes you think he's not complete? Were there fights that I should watch where he showed big weaknesses in certain areas?

He has a suspect ground game. He even admits he isn’t good at keeping the fight on the feet. You can watch his blogs. He did a lot of training with Merab and does trips to Vegas to try to fill that hole up.

I really hope he works on his TDD at home. He can’t rely on timing the knee to the head when someone shoots for a takedown. It can work so many times.

 

[drphil]

Dana implied last week that that is what it will take to get back in Japan (I think he was also banking on Taira winning last night, to a degree). He was really careful with his words, but said that it will take stars to get them there, as Japan is a hard place to get into.

RIZIN is extremely popular there and they're back to selling out Saitama with 40k in the crowd. He and Dana have had in person discussions a couple of times over the last year or so, and I wouldn't be surprised if Sak said something along the lines to, "If you sign our guys (Asakura, but was also trying to get Horiguchi in again, UFC wouldn't pay for him) and they succeed, we will help you get into Japan again." Sak is still friendly with the yakuza, they lost a TV deal a couple of years back behind some yakuza mess, so I presume that he'd broker an arrangement for the UFC to come back in without them being in the UFC's business, but will want to sell it like RIZIN's best went to the UFC and they're competing with the best in the world. Sak isn't making moves that don't potentially benefit RIZIN in the long run.

Time will tell how this unfolds.

Thanks for the info it makes sense now(as in why it's happening).
But they should start adjusting their rankings accordingly if they're gonna continue to pretend this is a real sport.

 

[drphil]

Has he ever even fought in a cage before? If so when? A couple of times?

Gonna be a tall order getting that W

Yep that's a great question I'd have to assume not if his career has been in Japan.

Someone posted some info saying this is all about getting into Japan so it is what it is...bullshit.

 

[Bobby Boulders]

Thanks for the info it makes sense now(as in why it's happening).
But they should start adjusting their rankings accordingly if they're gonna continue to pretend this is a real sport.

I'd like to see them kill the rankings altogether. For a long time there were none, they'd just throw in the fighter on a win streak that the fans were talking about, and things worked out fine. Today they pretend like the rankings are meaningful, but #8 can still fight for a title, completely defeating the purpose of rankings.

 

[drphil]

I'd like to see them kill the rankings altogether. For a long time there were none, they'd just throw in the fighter on a win streak that the fans were talking about, and things worked out fine. Today they pretend like the rankings are meaningful, but #8 can still fight for a title, completely defeating the purpose of rankings.

Yeah I'm not totally against it but the idea of no rankings just bothers me I guess.
Technically any of the top ten can fight for a title can't they?

 

[markg171]

I like this. For years, the UFC pretended that the only talent that mattered was in the UFC.

Now it's getting closer to a return to the old days where they recognize that there are some very good top fighters in other orgs.

Looks like the UFC feeder programs aren't working out.

It’s more that they have a division and champion they can’t do anything with but this.

Which rather tells you the division shouldn’t exist.

 

[Bobby Boulders]

Yeah I'm not totally against it but the idea of no rankings just bothers me I guess.
Technically any of the top ten can fight for a title can't they?

Yeah, the ranking is kinda meaningless, just something that pretties up things for the networks and helps them sell. It was a while ago now, but I think the rankings came along around the time they signed the deal with FOX.

Erceg was #10 when he fought for the title, I believe, and Hendo fought Bisping for the belt, and I'm not sure he was even top 10. The UFC will still just ultimately do what they want, and only cite the ranking of a fighter when it benefits the narrative.