The fight world is just one week away from witnessing UFC 310, the final pay-per-view of 2024, scheduled for December 8 in Las Vegas. As the event nears, all eyes are on former RIZIN star Kai Asakura, who is set to challenge flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja in a five-round battle. In his UFC debut, the Japanese ace will attempt to dethrone ‘The Cannibal’, potentially joining the ranks of elite fighters who made an immediate impact, like Ronda Rousey and Frank Trigg.

The stakes for this fight card are already high as fans eagerly anticipate the clash between Alexandre Pantoja’s wrestling prowess and Kai Asakura’s formidable striking. Even UFC boss Dana White couldn’t contain his excitement, calling the matchup “an absolute badass showdown.”

However, not everyone is confident that Kai Asakura can withstand Alexandre Pantoja’s relentless pace and unmatched endurance. Fighter-turned-analyst Chael Sonnen expressed skepticism about Asakura’s ability to endure the full 25 minutes, stating, “I don’t know if Asakura can push that hard for 25 minutes. That’s the one thing Pantoja has been able to do, and you can’t bring in a trainer or coach to fix that.” Sonnen further highlighted ‘The Cannibal’s knack for maintaining pressure in the later rounds, noting, “If Pantoja gets to the third and fourth rounds, the odds of him winning any fight go up dramatically.”

Asakura’s fighting record highlights his lack of experience in longer bouts, with 12 of his 13 career knockout victories coming in the first round. Additionally, his four professional losses have mainly occurred in the later rounds, raising concerns about his endurance against a relentless fighter like Pantoja.

The issue of a fighter’s “gas tank” has become a key topic in MMA discussions, with Sonnen often emphasizing the same in high-stakes matchups. While Asakura is confident in his abilities, Pantoja has delivered a strong rebuttal, dismissing the challenge.

Alexandre Pantoja refutes the narrative surrounding Kai Asakura

Back in October, Kai Asakura made a bold statement on his ‘Kai Channel’ on YouTube regarding Alexandre Pantoja’s title reign. He claimed that the UFC wanted to challenge ‘The Cannibal’ to refresh the flyweight division, as Brazilian has held the title since last year, successfully defending it twice times against top contenders like Steve Erceg and Brandon Royval.

However, ‘The Cannibal’ does not share Kai Asakura’s view. Instead, he sees defeating the former RIZIN star as a golden opportunity. Speaking to MMA Junkie recently, ‘The Cannibal’ said, “I think it’s good if he’s right, because for me, it’s going to be better. I see he fights very well, very good entertainment for everyone, but at this high level in the UFC, it’s so hard – especially in my division. In the flyweight division, the guys are so good in cardio, striking, and grappling. We don’t stop any second. It’s so hard, that division.”

What are your thoughts on Chael Sonnen’s prediction? Do you believe Kai Asakura can endure the full 25 minutes against Alexandre Pantoja, considering the Brazilian’s proven ability to dominate in the later rounds? With ‘The Cannibal’s’ extensive experience in high-paced, long-duration bouts, he certainly holds an advantage over the former RIZIN star. So, who do you think will come out on top: Pantoja or Asakura? Share your opinion below.