Did you know that Kai Asakura was initially set to face Brandon Royval, not Alexandre Pantoja, at UFC 310? Ahead of his highly anticipated promotional debut against Pantoja, the former two-time RIZIN bantamweight champion revealed that his first outing in the promotion wasn’t originally planned to be for the undisputed gold.

Speaking to Shak MMA, Asakura disclosed, “An offer came for us to fight the number one ranked fighter. For reasons on their end, they refused. And then after that, we were given the opportunity for the title shot.” It seems that Royval’s refusal paved the way for Asakura’s golden opportunity to contend for championship gold in the biggest MMA promotion in the world.

Interestingly, this wasn’t the first time Brandon Royval turned down a fight with Asakura. The two were rumored to clash at UFC 305, but ‘Raw Dawg’ declined the matchup, citing financial and logistical concerns. According to Royval, the UFC’s offer didn’t justify the risks associated with traveling overseas for a non-title bout against the Japanese star.

In an interview with MMA Fighting, Royval explained, “I asked them for more money, I asked for a handful of stuff, and they said no. And then I asked them for one of any of those things, and they said no. And I was like, all right, well, then I’m not gonna go f**king fight some dude, not in the UFC, for not much money, all the way across the [world] where I’m not getting any sleep. I’m not getting a guaranteed title shot, I’m not getting any more money.”

Kai Asakura may not have stepped into the octagon at UFC 305. But now, five events later, he is gearing up for the opportunity of a lifetime. Fully aware of Asakura’s potential to upset the balance in the division, ‘The Cannibal’ isn’t taking any risks. To prepare, he has enlisted the help of someone with extensive knowledge about Asakura’s fighting style and tendencies, ensuring he leaves no stone unturned in defending his title.

Alexandre Pantoja takes intel from Kyoji Horiguchi ahead of UFC 310

In the recent UFC 31o Countdown video, 125lbs king Alexandre Pantoja revealed a key part of his preparation for the year’s last PPV: training with former two-time RIZIN bantamweight champion and current RIZIN flyweight champion, Kyoji Horiguchi.

Horiguchi has a rich history with Kai Asakura, with the pair trading knockout wins in their two bouts. Notably, Horiguchi is one of only four fighters to have defeated Asakura, giving Pantoja a unique advantage in understanding his opponent.

Pantoja didn’t hold back his admiration for Horiguchi, praising both his character and skillset. “Kyoji is one of the best people I have in my whole life. I learned a lot from him,” Pantoja shared. “He’s a samurai. Amazing guy, amazing opportunity to train with him.” Alongside their sparring sessions, the Brazilian champion meticulously studied Asakura’s fight footage, paying particular attention to his bouts with Horiguchi.

Reflecting on Asakura’s power and skill, Pantoja remarked, “I see Kyoji fight with Kai two times. In one of them, Kai beat Kyoji. For me, if someone can beat Kyoji, that guy has a lot of power. But in the rematch, Kyoji killed that guy.”

Horiguchi, for his part, returned the compliments, calling Pantoja a next-level fighter. Despite recognizing Asakura’s abilities, he confidently predicted a Pantoja victory, stating, “Kai is a good fighter, dangerous with a strong record, but I believe Pantoja is on a different level. Submission? Yeah, finish. If anything, [Pantoja will] finish.”

This clash carries high stakes for both fighters. For Kai Asakura, a victory in his UFC debut would only elevate his career to new heights. It would also open doors for the UFC to tap into the lucrative Japanese market. Meanwhile, for Pantoja, a third title defense would cement his legacy as one of the most dominant champions in the 125lbs division. Who do you see prevailing in the UFC 310 main event? Tell us in the comment section below!