In the UFC 310 headliner, flyweight world champion Alexandre Pantoja returned to the Octagon for a showdown against two-time RIZIN FF titleholder Kai Asakura.
After making a name for himself in The Land of the Rising Sun, Asakura stepped straight into a 125-pound showdown with the division’s top dog. Having won six straight, Pantoja went into his latest title defense determined to make a statement against the Japanese knockout artist.
Round 1
Pantoja quickly closes the distance, and Asakura unleashes a flying knee that connects but doesn’t deter Pantoja from shooting in for a takedown. As Asakura fends off the attack, he eats a right hand from Pantoja that appears to have compromised him. Just past the one-minute mark, Pantoja secures his first takedown of the fight. Asakura scrambles out of the unfavorable position and returns to his feet. Asakura goes to work, landing some nasty inside low kicks.
Pantoja lands another big right hand and Asakura eats it. Pantoja approaches and Asakura again tries for a flying knee that misses the mark. Asakura lands a nice left hand, but Pantoja keeps moving forward. Asakura throws a powerful head kick that Pantoja manages to block. Pantoja fires back with an inside low kick before shooting for another takedown. Asakura stays on his feet but eats a knee while separating himself from the champ. Pantoja lands a right and follows it up with a kick to the body. Pantoja fires another kick to the body and Asakura encourages him to keep them coming as the round ends.
Round 2
Pantoja starts things off with a jab, but Asakura comes right back with a couple of solid connections of his own. Pantoja closes the distance and shoots for a takedown. Asakura defends, but Pantoja isn’t giving up so easily, taking Asakura’s back against the fence. As Asakura attempts to improve his position, Pantoja jumps on his back and drags him down to the mat. Pantoja locks in a body triangle with three and a half minutes left in the round.
Pantoja is fishing for a rear-naked choke and appears to have it locked in. Asakura desperately attempts to fight the hands, but ultimately goes to sleep before the halfway point of the round.
Official Result: Alexandre Pantoja def. Kai Asakura via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:05 of Round 2.
