Welcome to the UFC: Kai Asakura (Patreon)

The former two-time Rizin bantamweight champion Kai Asakura has made the jump to the UFC. Asakura has been one of the biggest starts in Japan for years and this is one of the biggest signings for the UFC in a long time. He has four losses but those four guys he's also beaten. Some names on his resume are Juan Archuleta, Yuki Motoya, Kyoji Horiguchi, Hiromasa Ougikubo, Manel Kape, Ulka Sasaki, and Alatengheili.

Asakura is a high caliber striker. The only hope is to catch him in an exchange or take him down. From his time in Rizin Asakura showed excellent takedown defense. He done a great job of using the ropes and fighting under hooks so I'd imagine against a cage he'll be even tougher to take down. Even when taken down he does a great job of getting back up. I don't think of him as much of a wrestler/grappler but it's good enough to hang with the majority of the guys.

There is a crap ton to like about this guys wrestling. What's not to like is his willingness to trade in the pocket. He's already best when he's leading the dance besides partaking in a mosh pit. Lately he's been more careful with his approach but at the same time thrives in the chaos. He does get dropped but has a good chin and tends to crack harder whoever he's fighting. While in the pocket he has a nasty body-head combo all while ducking and weaving. He's got a beautiful lead left hood and a stiff straight jab. As shown in his last two fights he has a filthy counter knee to the body. The way to give him any trouble is to put him on his back foot. The second you let off Asakura is gonna attack because he doesn't get tired and actually gets better as the fight goes.

I've seen a lot of people saying he's gonna get fraud checked in the UFC. He will lose fights here and there but he's absolutely not a fraud. He's a top five bantamweight. Fights with Sean O'Malley, Jose Aldo, Petr Yan, and Cory Sandhagen are all fantastic bouts. He may end up losing to all those guys but I don't count him out against any of them. If it is Rob Font he fights Asakura will smoke him.