Over the weekend at RIZIN 47, we learned that the UFC was making a big time splash. On the broadcast yesterday, we learned that RIZIN bantamweight champion Kai Asakura (21-4) was vacating his championship and was moving to the UFC.
The bantamweight division is arguably the most stacked division of the promotion and it just got even better. Asakura is a huge addition to the division and early indications are that he’s going to immediately get a top ten matchup perhaps even a top five matchup.
Asakura is one of the best fighters from RIZIN and he should be a very exciting addition to the UFC’s bantamweight division. If you’ve never seen this man compete, do yourself a favor and check out his highlights below.
UFC’s New Signing
During his impressive RIZIN stretch, he’s scored incredibly impressive wins including knockouts of Kyoji Horiguchi and a TKO win over Juan Archuleta last December to win the RIZIN bantamweight champion. He also has a decision win over top flyweight contender Manel Kape.
In looking at the bantamweight division, Song Yadong could be a name to watch for his first fight. Song is currently ranked seventh in the division and that would be a helluva matchup to introduce Asakura to the UFC audience. The winner of former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo – Marlon Vera could be another name to watch.