| Kai Asakura | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1993-10-31)October 31, 1993 (age 31) Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan |
| Native name | 朝倉海 |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb) |
| Division | Flyweight (2015–2017, 2024–present) Bantamweight (2018–2023) Catchweight (2012–2015) |
| Reach | 69 in (175 cm)[1] |
| Fighting out of | Tokyo, Japan |
| Team | JAPAN TOP TEAM[2] |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 26 |
| Wins | 21 |
| By knockout | 13 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Losses | 5 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Amateur record | |
| Total | 10 |
| Wins | 8 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Losses | 2 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Other information | |
| Notable relatives | Mikuru Asakura (brother)[3] |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Kai Asakura (朝倉 海,Asakura Kai, born 31 October 1993) is a Japanesemixed martial artist currently competing in theFlyweight division of theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He previously competed inRizin Fighting Federation, where he was theRizin Bantamweight Champion. A professional since 2012, he also competed forRoad Fighting Championship,Fighting Network Rings andDEEP. As of March 25, 2025, he is #15 in theUFC flyweight rankings.[4]
In elementary school Kai trainedkarate andsumo, as well as spending three years trainingvolleyball.[5]
Kai and his brother,Mikuru Asakura, spent much of their childhood getting involved in numerousstreet 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 intoboxing classes.[6]
Whilst a third year student atAichi 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.[7] It was at the insistence and encouragement of his brother, Mikuru, that he took his interest in fighting.[8]
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.[9]
He would then fight withFighting 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.[10] Two months later he faced Keigo Takayama winning the fight after just 40 seconds via technical knockout.[11] 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.[12] Asakura's next opponent was Jong Hyun Kwak. Asakura again ended the fight in the first round, winning through a TKO.[13]
Fighting withRoad Fighting Championship, Asakura fought Liu Xiaoyang, who he beat by an RNC in the first round.[14] Fighting for theFighting 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.[15] Asakura's next opponent wasAlateng 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.[16] Asakura suffered his first career loss to Je Hoon Moon during Road FC 39, losing via technical knockout.[17]
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.[18] Kai won the fight in the second round after knocking Saiga out with a grounded knee.[19]
During Rizin 10, Asakura faced bantamweights,Manel Kape. After suffering an early knockdown, he went on to win a split decision, which would be named as a Fight of the Month nominee for May of 2018 by MMA Junkie.[20]
Asakura was next scheduled to fight Thanongsaklek Tiger Muay Thai at Rizin 11.[21] The fight was subsequently rescheduled for Rizin 13, after Asakura injured his right knee. At Rizin 13 and he won a unanimous decision.[22]
During RIZIN Heisei's Last Yarennoka!, Asakura rematched with Je Hoon Moon.[23] Asakura won via unanimous decision.[24]
Asakura's faceUlka Sasaki. at Rizin 15. However, Sasaki had to pull out due to injury and was replaced byJustin Scoggins. Scoggins would then pull out of the bout after he suffered a meniscus and ligament tear in his knee.[25]
His next fight was scheduled for Rizin 18 as a non-title bout against the Rizin bantamweight championKyoji 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.[26]
Two months later he facedUlka Sasaki at Rizin 19.[27] 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.[28]
This six-fight winning streak gave Asakura a chance to fight for the Rizin bantamweight strap, in a rematch againstKyoji Horiguchi during Rizin 20.[29] Horiguchi pulled out of the bout due to a knee injury and vacated the belt. Asakura facedManel Kape in a rematch for the vacantRizin Bantamweight Championship. Kape knocked Kai down twice in the beginning of the second round which forced the referee to stop the fight.[30]
Asakura facedHiromasa Ougikubo for the vacantRizin Bantamweight Championship atRizin 23.[31] He won via first-round soccer kick knockout.[32]
Asakura facedformer Lightweight King of Pancrase Shoji Maruyama atRizin 24 – Saitama.[33] Asakura won the fight by a first round technical knockout.[34]
Asakura was scheduled to make his first title defense in a rematch with the former Rizin Bantamweight championKyoji Horiguchi duringRizin 26 – Saitama.[35] He lost the fight by a first-round TKO.[36]
Asakura facedShooto Watanabe in the opening round of the Bantamweight Grand Prix atRizin 28 on June 13, 2021.[37] He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout.[38]
Asakura faced Alan Yamaniha in the quarterfinals on September 19, 2021 atRizin 30.[39] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[40]
In the semi-finals, Asakura faced Kenta Takizawa on December 31, 2021 atRizin 33.[41] He won the fight by unanimous decision, and advanced to the tournament finals, where he facedHiromasa Ougikubo.[42] He lost the bout via unanimous decision, becoming the runner up in the Grand Prix.[43]
Asakura was expected to face the undefeated Ji Yong Yang atRizin 36 on July 2, 2022.[44] Asakura withdrew from the fight on June 30, as he had re-injured his right hand.[45]
Asakura faced Yuki Motoya atRizin 42 on May 6, 2023.[46] He won the fight by a second-round flying knee knockout.[47]
Asakura was expected to face formerBellator Bantamweight ChampionJuan Archuleta for the vacantRizin Bantamweight Championship atBellator MMA x Rizin 2 on July 30, 2023.[48] However on July 18 it was announced that Asakura withdrew due to injury and was replaced byHiromasa Ougikubo.[49]
Asakura facedJuan Archuleta for theRizin Bantamweight Championship on December 31, 2023, atRizin 45.[50] 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.[51] Asakura won the bout via technical knockout in the second round.[52]
On June 8, 2024, it was announced that Asakura signed with theUltimate Fighting Championship.[53]
In his promotional debut, Asakura competed for theUFC Flyweight Championship against championAlexandre Pantoja on December 7, 2024 atUFC 310.[54] Asakura lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.[55]
He is the younger brother ofMikuru Asakura.[3]
| 26 matches | 21 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 13 | 3 |
| By submission | 3 | 1 |
| By decision | 5 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 21–5 | Alexandre Pantoja | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 310 | December 7, 2024 | 2 | 2:05 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | Return to Flyweight. For theUFC Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 21–4 | Juan Archuleta | TKO (knee to the body and punches) | Rizin 45 | December 31, 2023 | 2 | 3:20 | Saitama, Japan | Won the vacantRizin Bantamweight Championship. Archuleta missed weight (140.65 lb) and was stripped of the title. Only Asakura was eligible. Later vacated it on 9 June 2024. |
| Win | 20–4 | Yuki Motoya | KO (knee to the body) | Rizin 42 | May 6, 2023 | 3 | 2:25 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 19–4 | Hiromasa Ougikubo | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin 33 | December 31, 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 | September 19, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | 2021 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 17–3 | Shooto Watanabe | TKO (punches) | Rizin 28 | June 13, 2021 | 1 | 3:22 | Tokyo, Japan | 2021 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix Opening round. |
| Loss | 16–3 | Kyoji Horiguchi | KO (punches) | Rizin 26 | December 31, 2020 | 1 | 2:48 | Saitama, Japan | Lost theRizin Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 16–2 | Shoji Maruyama | TKO (punches and soccer kick) | Rizin 24 | September 27, 2020 | 1 | 2:37 | Saitama, Japan | Non-title bout. |
| Win | 15–2 | Hiromasa Ougikubo | KO (knee and soccer kicks) | Rizin 23 | August 10, 2020 | 1 | 4:31 | Yokohama, Japan | Won the vacantRizin Bantamweight Championship. |
| Loss | 14–2 | Manel Kape | TKO (punches) | Rizin 20 | December 31, 2019 | 2 | 0:38 | Saitama, Japan | For the vacantRizin Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–1 | Ulka Sasaki | TKO (broken jaw) | Rizin 19 | October 12, 2019 | 1 | 0:54 | Osaka, Japan | |
| Win | 13–1 | Kyoji Horiguchi | KO (punches) | Rizin 18 | August 18, 2019 | 1 | 1:08 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Win | 12–1 | Moon Jae-hoon | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin: Heisei's Last Yarennoka! | December 30, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Bantamweight debut. |
| Win | 11–1 | Topnoi Kiwram | Decision (unanimous) | Rizin 13 | September 30, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Saitama, Japan | Catchweight (130 lb) bout. |
| Win | 10–1 | Manel Kape | Decision (split) | Rizin 10 | May 6, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Fukuoka, Japan | Catchweight (130 lb) bout. |
| Win | 9–1 | Kizaemon Saiga | TKO (punches and knee) | Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round | December 29, 2017 | 2 | 2:34 | Saitama, Japan | Catchweight (139 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 8–1 | Moon Jae-hoon | KO (punches) | Road FC 039 | June 10, 2017 | 3 | 2:38 | Seoul, South Korea | |
| Win | 8–0 | Alateng Heili | KO (knee and punches) | Road FC 037 | March 11, 2017 | 1 | 0:29 | Seoul, South Korea | Return to Flyweight. |
| Win | 7–0 | Yoichi Oi | TKO (punches) | Rings: The Outsider 42 | September 4, 2016 | 1 | 4:52 | Aichi, Japan | Won the Rings 60kg Championship. |
| Win | 6–0 | Liu Xiaoyang | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Road FC 032 | July 2, 2016 | 1 | 1:49 | Changsha, China | |
| Win | 5–0 | Kwak Jong-hyun | TKO (punches) | Rings: The Outsider 38 | December 13, 2015 | 1 | 4:04 | Tokyo, Japan | Flyweight debut. |
| Win | 4–0 | Choi Jung-bin | Submission (brabo choke) | Rings: The Outsider 37 | September 6, 2015 | 1 | 2:21 | Numazu, Japan | Catchweight (128 lb) bout. |
| Win | 3–0 | Keigo Takayama | TKO (punches) | Rings: The Outsider 36 | July 19, 2015 | 1 | 0:40 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 2–0 | Satoru Date | TKO (punches) | Rings: The Outsider 35 | May 17, 2015 | 2 | 3:36 | Tokyo, Japan | Moved to Rings' 60 kg division. |
| Win | 1–0 | Tomoya Suzuki | Technical Submission (armbar) | DEEP: Cage Impact 2012 in Hamamatsu | September 16, 2012 | 1 | 2:34 | Hamamatsu, Japan | Catchweight (128 lb) bout. |
| 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 | Won the Outsider Bantamweight Tournament Championship. |
| Win | 7–2 | Masamichi Yoshino | TKO (punches) | Rings: The Outsider 33 | December 7, 2014 | 1 | 0:22 | Yokohama,Kanagawa, Japan | Outsider Bantamweight Tournament Semi-finals. |
| 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 Shimada | 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 | Technical Submission (armbar) | Rings: The Outsider 24 | February 10, 2013 | 1 | 0:31 | Tokyo, Japan |
| No | Event | Fight | Date | Venue | City | PPV buys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | UFC 310 | Pantoja vs.Asakura | December 7, 2024 | T-Mobile Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Not Disclosed[59] |
Updated to 1 April 2025 |
