UFC 310: Japanese 'superstar' Kai Asakura backed to 'hit the ground running' on debut against Alexandre Pantoja

ByLeon Imber

Published 02/12/2024 at 18:00 GMT

TNT Sports UFC experts Michael Bisping and Nick Peet are excited about the prospect of Kai Asakura's UFC debut against Alexandre Pantoja. The pair will battle in the main event of UFC 310 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, and Bisping backs two-time RIZIN bantamweight champion Asakura to make a good first impression on his quest for the flyweight belt.

Kai Asakura will make his UFC debut in a flyweight title clash against Alexandre Pantoja on Saturday, and TNT Sports pundits Michael Bisping and Nick Peet have backed the Japanese sensation to make a strong first impression.

Asakura, a two-time RIZIN bantamweight champion, takes on Pantoja for the flyweight title in the main event at UFC 310 in Las Vegas on Saturday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The decision to give Asakura a title shot on his UFC debut had drawn criticism from some onlookers, but CEO Dana White responded by saying Saturday's challenger is "one of the best in the world".

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And Bisping echoed that sentiment, labelling Asakura a "champion" with "bone-breaking power".

"This guy is a champion," Bisping said on TNT Sports' UFC 310 Preview Show. "He’s got bone-breaking power. He’s got jaw-breaking power in his punches and in his knees.

"Last time we saw him was against Juan Archuleta, that was on New Year's Eve and it was a beautifully timed knee, right to the mid-section.

"It was a tremendous fight. Prior to that, this man was knocking people out left, right and centre."

‘He’s got bone-breaking power’ – Bisping and Peet break down Pantoja v Asakura

Video credit: TNT Sports

Bisping added that other flyweights, including Brandon Royval - who suffered two defeats to current champion Pantoja - will be looking on with interest at new competition for the belt.

"Being a champion out in Japan, that’s not an easy thing to do," Bisping said.

"But we all know the Premier League is the UFC, that’s where you start to make life-changing money and the name recognition, brand value, really does go to the next level.

"Of course this is new blood. The next guy in line is Brandon Royval. He’s hoping that Kai Asakura wins this fight because he knows he’s had two shots at Pantoja, he’s probably going to struggle to get a third.

"So a lot of people in the flyweight division are hoping and praying that Asakura will come in, rock the boat, get an upset and get a victory because then that opens the door to everybody else.

"It’s a great fight, I can’t wait for it. This man is very very exciting, dangerous with the hands. Beautiful kicks and knees.

"It’s not like he’s a one-trick pony. He’s got great wrestling and all the rest of the abilities you need for mixed martial arts. He can do it all, but it is a tough test against Alexandre Pantoja."

Fellow TNT Sports expert Peet also heaped praise on Asakura, and while he expects the debutant to "hit the ground running", he also earmarked the need to be "more well-rounded" in order to deal with a UFC champion.

"Asakura is a sensational fighter," Peet said. "His credentials outside the UFC speak for themselves but as Mike said, it’s almost a different sport out there.

"He’s coming into the Octagon, got incredible punch power. But he’s gonna have to be far more well-rounded to be able to deal with someone like Pantoja."

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Peet also drew comparisons between Asakura's rise and that of Naoya Inoue in boxing, and feels that if the UFC newcomer can pick up a victory in Las Vegas, there could soon be a big-ticket event held in Japan.

"He’s a superstar," Peet said. "If you’re into boxing you’re probably aware of Naoya Inoue. Asakura is the mirror image in mixed martial arts.

"He has all kinds of commercial deals going on, but inside the ring he sells it as well. He’s a marketer's dream.

"He’s going to hit the ground running this week. Get ready for a really exciting build up to this fight. If he can pull it off, the UFC will be in Japan in early 2025 for sure."

‘He can do it all’ – Bisping insists Asakura isn’t ‘one-trick pony’ ahead of UFC debut

Video credit: TNT Sports

HOW TO WATCH UFC 310 ON DISCOVERY+

UFC 310: Pantoja vs Asakura will be live on TNT Sports 2 via discovery+, with coverage from the preliminary fights starting at 01:00 AM (UK time).

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

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