Introduction
Kai Asakura (朝倉 海, Asakura Kai, born 31 October 1993) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He previously competed in Rizin Fighting Federation, where he was the Rizin Bantamweight Champion. A professional competitor since 2012, he also competed for Road Fighting Championship, Fighting Network Rings and DEEP. Fight Matrix has him ranked as the #25 bantamweight in the world as of June 2024.
Early life
In elementary school Kai trained karate and sumo, as well as spending three years training volleyball.
Kai and his brother, Mikuru, spent much of their childhood getting involved in numerous street fights. The brothers would often fight each other as well, to which Kai attributes his toughness as a professional mixed martial artist. As they were entering their adolescent years, at the suggestion of a therapist, their mother enrolled them into boxing classes.
Whilst a third year student at Aichi Prefectural Toyohashi Technical High School, his brother took him to the Zen Dokai Toyohashi Dojo, which was Kai’s first introduction to mixed martial arts. It was at the insistence and encouragement of his brother, Mikuru, that he took his interest in fighting.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Asakura began his professional career under the banner of DEEP, when he faced a fellow debutante Tomoya Suzuki. Asakura won the bout via a first round TKO.
He would then fight with Fighting Network Rings new brand of MMA events named Outsider, after a three-year hiatus. He faced Satoshi Date, whom he defeated in the second round by TKO. Two months later he faced Keigo Takayama winning the fight after just 40 seconds via technical knockout. Two months later he fought a debuting Jung Bin Choi, earning his first career submission, forcing Choi to tap to a D'Arce choke in the first round. Asakura's next opponent was Jong Hyun Kwak. Asakura again ended the fight in the first round, winning through a TKO.
Fighting with Road Fighting Championship, Asakura fought Liu Xiaoyang, who he beat by an RNC in the first round. Fighting for the Fighting Network Rings 60 kg title, Asakura faced Yoichi Oi. He won the title fight in the first round, defeating Oi at the very end of the first round by technical knockout. Asakura's next opponent was Alateng Heili, who was riding a six-fight winning streak. Asakura won the fight after 29 seconds, hitting Heili with a short left hook, followed by a knee strike. Asakura suffered his first career loss to Je Hoon Moon during Road FC 39, losing via technical knockout.
Rizin Fighting Federation
Asakura made his Rizin debut on 29th December 2017, during RIZIN Fighting World Grand Prix 2017. Asakura was scheduled to fight the ZST Flyweight Champion Seiichiro Ito. Ito suffered a nasal fracture before the bout, and was replaced by Kizaemon Saiga. Kai won the fight in the second round after knocking Saiga out with a grounded knee.
During Rizin 10, Asakura faced bantamweights, Manel Kape. After suffering an early knockdown, he went on win a split decision, which would be named as a Fight of the Month nominee for May of 2018 by MMA Junkie.
Asakura was next scheduled to fight Thanongsaklek Tiger Muay Thai at Rizin 11. The fight was subsequently rescheduled for Rizin 13, after Asakura injured his right knee. At Rizin 13 and he won a unanimous decision.
During RIZIN Heisei's Last Yarennoka!, Asakura rematched with Je Hoon Moon. Asakura won via unanimous decision.
Asakura's face Ulka Sasaki. at Rizin 15. However, Sasaki had to pull out due to injury and was replaced by Justin Scoggins. Scoggins would then pull out of the bout after he suffered a meniscus and ligament tear in his knee.
His next fight was scheduled for Rizin 18 as a non-title bout against the Rizin bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi. Asakura would feint Horiguchi backward and landed a big right hand as Horiguchi was blitzing in. Following up with knees and punches, Asakura won the fight via knockout.
Two months later he faced Ulka Sasaki at Rizin 19. Asakura dominated Sasaki, jitting the veteran with a right hand, and following up with grounded knees and soccer kicks and won the fight via technical knockout, as Sasaki was unable to continue due to a broken jaw.
Title reign
This six-fight winning streak gave Asakura a chance to fight for the Rizin bantamweight strap, in a rematch against Kyoji Horiguchi during Rizin 20. Horiguchi pulled out of the bout due to a knee injury and vacated the belt. Asakura faced Manel Kape in a rematch for the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship. Kape knocked Kai down twice in the beginning of the second round which forced the referee to stop the fight.
Asakura faced Hiromasa Ougikubo for the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship at Rizin 23. He won via first-round soccer kick knockout.
Asakura faced former Lightweight King of Pancrase Shoji Maruyama at Rizin 24 – Saitama. Asakura won the fight by a first round technical knockout.
Asakura was scheduled to make his first title defense in a rematch with the former Rizin Bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi during Rizin 26 – Saitama. He lost the fight by a first-round TKO.
Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix 2021
Asakura faced Shooto Watanabe in the opening round of the Bantamweight Grand Prix at Rizin 28 on June 13, 2021. He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout.
Asakura faced Alan Yamaniha in the quarterfinals on September 19, 2021 at Rizin 30. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
In the semi-finals, Asakura faced Kenta Takizawa on December 31, 2021 at Rizin 33. He won the fight by unanimous decision, and advanced to the tournament finals, where he faced Hiromasa Ougikubo. He lost the bout via unanimous decision, becoming the runner up in the Grand Prix.
Continued bantamweight career
Asakura was expected to face the undefeated Ji Yong Yang at Rizin 36 on July 2, 2022. Asakura withdrew from the fight on June 30, as he had re-injured his right hand.
Asakura faced Yuki Motoya at Rizin 42 on May 6, 2023. He won the fight by a second-round flying knee knockout.
Asakura was expected to face former Bellator Bantamweight Champion Juan Archuleta for the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship at Bellator MMA x Rizin 2 on July 30, 2023. However on July 18 it was announced that Asakura withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Hiromasa Ougikubo.
Second title reign
Asakura faced Juan Archuleta for the Rizin Bantamweight Championship on December 31, 2023, at Rizin 45. At the weigh-ins, Archuleta weighed in at 140.65 pounds, 5.65 pounds over the limit. As a result, Archuleta was stripped of the title and only Asakura was eligible to win it. Asakura won the bout via technical knockout in the second round.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
On June 8, 2024, it was announced that Asakura signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
In his promotional debut, Asakura is scheduled to compete for the UFC Flyweight Championship against champion Alexandre Pantoja on December 7, 2024 at UFC 310.
Championships and achievements
Mixed martial arts
- Rizin Fighting Federation
- Rizin Bantamweight Championship (Two times; former)
- 2021 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix Runner-up
- eFight.jp
- August 2019 Fighter of the Month
Personal life
He is the younger brother of Mikuru Asakura.
Mixed martial arts record
| 25 matches | 21 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 13 | 3 |
| By submission | 3 | 0 |
| By decision | 5 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 21–4 | Juan Archuleta | TKO (knee to the body and punches) | Rizin 45 | 31 December 2023 | 2 | 3:20 | Saitama, Japan | Won the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship. Archuleta missed weight (140.65 lb) and was stripped of the title. Only Asakura was eligible to win title. Later vacated it on 9 June 2024. |
| Win | 20–4 | Yuki Motoya | KO (knee to the body) | Rizin 42 | 6 May 2023 | 3 | 2:25 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 19–4 | Hiromasa Ougikubo | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin 33 | 31 December 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | 2021 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix Final. |
| Win | 19–3 | Kenta Takizawa | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | 2021 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix Semifinal. | |||
| Win | 18–3 | Alan Yamaniha | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin 30 | 19 September 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | 2021 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 17–3 | Shooto Watanabe | TKO (punches) | Rizin 28 | 13 June 2021 | 1 | 3:22 | Tokyo, Japan | 2021 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix Opening round. |
| Loss | 16–3 | Kyoji Horiguchi | TKO (punches) | Rizin 26 | 31 December 2020 | 1 | 2:48 | Saitama, Japan | Lost the Rizin Bantamweight Championship |
| Win | 16–2 | Shoji Maruyama | TKO (punches and soccer kick) | Rizin 24 | 27 September 2020 | 1 | 2:37 | Saitama, Japan | Non-title bout. |
| Win | 15–2 | Hiromasa Ougikubo | KO (knee and soccer kicks) | Rizin 23 | 10 August 2020 | 1 | 4:31 | Yokohama, Japan | Won the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship. |
| Loss | 14–2 | Manel Kape | TKO (punches) | Rizin 20 | 31 December 2019 | 2 | 0:38 | Saitama, Japan | For the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–1 | Ulka Sasaki | TKO (broken jaw) | Rizin 19 | 12 October 2019 | 1 | 0:54 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Win | 13–1 | Kyoji Horiguchi | KO (punches) | Rizin 18 | 18 August 2019 | 1 | 1:08 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Win | 12–1 | Moon Jae-hoon | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin: Heisei's Last Yarennoka! | 30 December 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Bantamweight (61 kg) debut. |
| Win | 11–1 | Thanongsaklek Chuwattana | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin 13 | 30 September 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Catchweight (59 kg) bout. |
| Win | 10–1 | Manel Kape | Decision (split) | Rizin 10 | 6 May 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Fukuoka, Japan | Catchweight (59 kg) bout. |
| Win | 9–1 | Kizaemon Saiga | TKO (punches and knee) | Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round | 29 December 2017 | 2 | 2:34 | Saitama, Japan | Catchweight (62.5 kg) bout. |
| Loss | 8–1 | Moon Jae-hoon | KO (punches) | Road FC 039 | 10 June 2017 | 3 | 2:38 | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Win | 8–0 | Alateng Heili | KO (knee and punches) | Road FC 037 | 11 March 2017 | 1 | 0:29 | Seoul, South Korea | Return to Flyweight. |
| Win | 7–0 | Yoichi Oi | TKO (punches) | Rings: The Outsider 42 | 4 September 2016 | 1 | 4:52 | Aichi, Japan | Won the Rings 60kg Championship. |
| Win | 6–0 | Liu Xiaoyang | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Road FC 032 | 2 July 2016 | 1 | 1:49 | Changsha, China | Flyweight bout. |
| Win | 5–0 | Kwak Jong-hyun | TKO (punches) | Rings: The Outsider 38 | 13 December 2015 | 1 | 4:04 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 4–0 | Choi Jung-bin | Submission (D'Arce choke) | Rings: The Outsider 37 | 6 September 2015 | 1 | 2:21 | Shizuoka, Japan | |
| Win | 3–0 | Keigo Takayama | TKO (punches) | Rings: The Outsider 36 | 19 July 2015 | 1 | 0:40 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 2–0 | Satoru Date | TKO (punches) | Rings: The Outsider 35 | 17 May 2015 | 2 | 3:36 | Tokyo, Japan | Moved to Rings' 60 kg division. |
| Win | 1–0 | Tomoya Suzuki | Submission (armbar) | Deep: Cage Impact 2012 | 16 September 2012 | 1 | 2:34 | Shizuoka, Japan | Flyweight debut. |
Amateur mixed martial arts record
| Amateur record breakdown | ||
| 10 matches | 8 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 2 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 8–2 | Yoichi Oi | TKO (punches) | Rings: The Outsider 33 | December 7, 2014 | 1 | N/A | Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan | |
| Win | 7–2 | Masamichi Yoshino | TKO (punches) | Rings: The Outsider 33 | December 7, 2014 | 1 | 0:22 | Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan | |
| Win | 6–2 | Takayuki Okugi | TKO (punches) | Rings: The Outsider 32 | September 7, 2014 | 1 | 0:23 | Kadoma, Osaka, Japan | |
| Win | 5–2 | Masaya Kamide | Decision (unanimous) | Rings: The Outsider 31 | June 22, 2014 | 2 | 3:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 4–2 | Kenta Tanoue | TKO (punches) | Rings: The Outsider 30 | April 6, 2014 | 1 | 1:07 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 3–2 | Shota Kaneko | TKO (punches) | Rings: The Outsider 29 | February 16, 2014 | 1 | 1:09 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 2–2 | Masamune | Decision (unanimous) | Rings: The Outsider 28 | December 7, 2013 | 2 | 3:00 | Kadoma, Osaka, Japan | |
| Loss | 1–2 | Ryota Kitamura | Decision (unanimous) | Rings: The Outsider 27 | September 9, 2013 | 2 | 3:00 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Loss | 1–1 | Riku Shibuya | Decision (unanimous) | Rings: The Outsider 25 | April 21, 2013 | 2 | 3:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 1–0 | Dai Aoki | Submission (armbar) | Rings: The Outsider 24 | February 10, 2013 | 1 | 0:31 | Tokyo, Japan |