The
Ultimate Fighting Championship’s bantamweight division is about
to receive an upgrade.


Rizin Fighting Federation champion Kai Asakura announced during
Rizin 47 on Sunday that he is vacating his belt to sign with the
UFC. The Las Vegas-based promotion has not formally announced the
acquisition. As part of his farewell, Asakura paid tribute to the
organization and Rizin CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara.

“I am giving up my belt and going to the UFC,” Asakura said. “I
think there will be an announcement from the UFC soon, but it’s
official that I’m going. This should be exciting news, but right
now I feel very lonely. I believe that thanks to RIZIN, I, who was
originally no one, was recognized as a fighter, a martial artist, a
man. And last year, on New Years’ Eve, it was Mr. Sakakibara who
accepted my selfish request to go to the UFC without a single
defense. I would like to thank Mr. Sakakibara from the bottom of my
heart for his support. Thank you very much.”

The 30-year-old Asakura is a two-time Rizin bantamweight champion.
He regained the crown with a second-round TKO of Juan Archuleta in
his last outing at Rizin 45 in December 2023. The Japan Top Team
product went 13-3 within the Japanese promotion and owns a 21-4
career mark that also includes stints in
Road FC and Rings. His
resume includes victories over the likes of Manel Kape, Kyoji
Horiguchi, Hiromasa Ougikubo, Yuki Motoya, Yuta Sasaki and
Archuleta.

IMAK ADMIN

By IMAK ADMIN

Internationaler Kampfkunst und Kampfsport Kleinanzeiger