Kai Asakura, a former RIZIN champion known for his explosive knockouts and flair for spectacle, is determined to make a statement in his UFC debut. However, he will be up against a champion who is known for his gritty attitude inside the Octagon. For the unversed, Asakura is one of the most dangerous fighters on the feet and can knock out anyone in the division. He is a master of using his knees and uses them very smartly in his fights. Former UFC champion Michael Bisping has credited him for having ‘Jaw Breaking Power’ in his hands.

But the big question is can he do it in his debut fight, that too against someone like Alexandre Pantoja no less? Former UFC referee McCarthy feels it will be a tough ask mainly because of the pressure of fighting under the big lights of the UFC. Fighting in the promotion is not only about skills but also a lot about mental ability. Although he feels that picking the Japanese fighter is the right call as it has been done in the past, his winning the fight is a massive task feels McCarthy.

While speaking to Josh ‘The Punk’ Thomson, ‘Big’ John McCarthy shared his honest opinion on the fight and picked his favorite. He said, “I think it’s a great matchup. I have heard a lot of people say, Why is he getting a shot at the title coming in?’ The UFC has done it for other Japanese fighters before, look at Mach Sakurai against Matt Hughes. So it’s been… But Kai Asakura has had a very stellar career in RIZIN but he’s also had losses. And, look at his losses and the people he has lost to, is what concerns me in the fight.”

“Look, I’ve watched Kai fight too many times. He’s very fast, he’s got good grappling – not great, but good. Not good enough to be on the ground with Pantoja for long. That will be a problem for him. His speed in the stand-up is what his strength is. He’s very dynamic, he throws beautiful knees up the middle when people try to come into him. He is a dynamic fighter. I look at this as it’s going to be an uphill battle for him against Pantoja.”, said the veteran UFC ref. He stated that while the champion isn’t as fast as the UFC 310 debutante, ‘The Cannibal’ can beat him on the ground, ending the argument with McCarthy favoring the Brazilian fighter.

With 13 knockouts and three submissions in 25 professional fights, Asakura’s skill set does promise a lot of fireworks in his UFC debut. However, just like McCarthy said, he will have to find a way to tackle the grappling skills of the champion. But this is not the only problem that the Japanese fighter will be facing. Asakura will be moving down to the 125-pound division for the first time in his career and Henry Cejudo has one important question for him.

Henry Cejudo is worried about Kai Asakura’s fight at a new division

A celebrated figure in Japan, Asakura steps into this fight carrying the weight of his nation’s expectations. A win wouldn’t just elevate his own status as an international star—it could also open the door for UFC President Dana White to tap into the promising yet challenging Japanese market. However, questions linger about how well Asakura will adapt to the UFC’s level of competition. Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo has shared his thoughts on the fight, highlighting what he sees as the biggest obstacle Asakura will face.

This will be the first time Asakura will be fighting in a new division, and as a result, will have to lose a lot of weight. One of the biggest drawbacks of weight-cutting is a fighter’s ability (or lack thereof) to recover before the fight. This is what concerned ‘Triple C’ during his ‘Pound 4 Pound’ podcast where he shared his opinion on the whole.

“I mean, he’s gone through the unanimous decisions but [also has won plenty by] TKO. I mean this dude is known for staying on his feet and hurting people up top. But he is also going down to 125 pounds, a weight class that he has never made. And my biggest question is: will he recover?”, the former two-weight champion said to Kamaru Usman. With an outstanding track record and a collection of breathtaking finishes, Asakura has already made his mark in RIZIN. Now, he takes on the ultimate challenge, stepping into the UFC’s spotlight with his sights set on claiming flyweight gold in his debut.

Will Asakura achieve the unimaginable and dethrone Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 310 to become the champion? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments!