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Kai Asakura

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Kai Asakura
Born (1993-10-31) October 31, 1993 (age 30)
Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan
Native name朝倉海
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight134 lb (61 kg; 9 st 8 lb)
DivisionFlyweight (2015-2017, 2024-present)
Bantamweight (2018–2023)
Catchweight (2012–2015)
Reach69 in (175 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofTokyo, Japan
TeamJAPAN TOP TEAM[2]
Years active2012–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total25
Wins21
By knockout13
By submission3
By decision5
Losses4
By knockout3
By decision1
Amateur record
Total10
Wins8
By knockout5
By submission1
By decision2
Losses2
By decision2
Other information
Notable relativesMikuru Asakura (brother)[3]
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Kai Asakura (朝倉 海, Asakura Kai, born 31 October 1993) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He previously competed in Rizin Fighting Federation, where he was the Rizin Bantamweight Champion. A professional competitor since 2012, he also competed for Road Fighting Championship, Fighting Network Rings and DEEP. Fight Matrix has him ranked as the #25 bantamweight in the world as of June 2024.[4]

Early life

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In elementary school Kai trained karate and sumo, as well as spending three years training volleyball.[5]

Kai and his brother, Mikuru, spent much of their childhood getting involved in numerous street fights. The brothers would often fight each other as well, to which Kai attributes his toughness as a professional mixed martial artist. As they were entering their adolescent years, at the suggestion of a therapist, their mother enrolled them into boxing classes.[6]

Whilst a third year student at Aichi Prefectural Toyohashi Technical High School, his brother took him to the Zen Dokai Toyohashi Dojo, which was Kai’s first introduction to mixed martial arts.[7] It was at the insistence and encouragement of his brother, Mikuru, that he took his interest in fighting.[8]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Asakura began his professional career under the banner of DEEP, when he faced a fellow debutante Tomoya Suzuki. Asakura won the bout via a first round TKO.[9]

He would then fight with Fighting Network Rings new brand of MMA events named Outsider, after a three-year hiatus. He faced Satoshi Date, whom he defeated in the second round by TKO.[10] Two months later he faced Keigo Takayama winning the fight after just 40 seconds via technical knockout.[11] Two months later he fought a debuting Jung Bin Choi, earning his first career submission, forcing Choi to tap to a D'Arce choke in the first round.[12] Asakura's next opponent was Jong Hyun Kwak. Asakura again ended the fight in the first round, winning through a TKO.[13]

Fighting with Road Fighting Championship, Asakura fought Liu Xiaoyang, who he beat by an RNC in the first round.[14] Fighting for the Fighting Network Rings 60 kg title, Asakura faced Yoichi Oi. He won the title fight in the first round, defeating Oi at the very end of the first round by technical knockout.[15] Asakura's next opponent was Alateng Heili, who was riding a six-fight winning streak. Asakura won the fight after 29 seconds, hitting Heili with a short left hook, followed by a knee strike.[16] Asakura suffered his first career loss to Je Hoon Moon during Road FC 39, losing via technical knockout.[17]

Rizin Fighting Federation

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Asakura made his Rizin debut on 29th December 2017, during RIZIN Fighting World Grand Prix 2017. Asakura was scheduled to fight the ZST Flyweight Champion Seiichiro Ito. Ito suffered a nasal fracture before the bout, and was replaced by Kizaemon Saiga.[18] Kai won the fight in the second round after knocking Saiga out with a grounded knee.[19]

During Rizin 10, Asakura faced bantamweights, Manel Kape. After suffering an early knockdown, he went on win a split decision, which would be named as a Fight of the Month nominee for May of 2018 by MMA Junkie.[20]

Asakura was next scheduled to fight Thanongsaklek Tiger Muay Thai at Rizin 11.[21] The fight was subsequently rescheduled for Rizin 13, after Asakura injured his right knee. At Rizin 13 and he won a unanimous decision.[22]

During RIZIN Heisei's Last Yarennoka!, Asakura rematched with Je Hoon Moon.[23] Asakura won via unanimous decision.[24]

Asakura's face Ulka Sasaki. at Rizin 15. However, Sasaki had to pull out due to injury and was replaced by Justin Scoggins. Scoggins would then pull out of the bout after he suffered a meniscus and ligament tear in his knee.[25]

His next fight was scheduled for Rizin 18 as a non-title bout against the Rizin bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi. Asakura would feint Horiguchi backward and landed a big right hand as Horiguchi was blitzing in. Following up with knees and punches, Asakura won the fight via knockout.[26]

Two months later he faced Ulka Sasaki at Rizin 19.[27] Asakura dominated Sasaki, jitting the veteran with a right hand, and following up with grounded knees and soccer kicks and won the fight via technical knockout, as Sasaki was unable to continue due to a broken jaw.[28]

Title reign

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This six-fight winning streak gave Asakura a chance to fight for the Rizin bantamweight strap, in a rematch against Kyoji Horiguchi during Rizin 20.[29] Horiguchi pulled out of the bout due to a knee injury and vacated the belt. Asakura faced Manel Kape in a rematch for the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship. Kape knocked Kai down twice in the beginning of the second round which forced the referee to stop the fight.[30]

Asakura faced Hiromasa Ougikubo for the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship at Rizin 23.[31] He won via first-round soccer kick knockout.[32]

Asakura faced former Lightweight King of Pancrase Shoji Maruyama at Rizin 24 – Saitama.[33] Asakura won the fight by a first round technical knockout.[34]

Asakura was scheduled to make his first title defense in a rematch with the former Rizin Bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi during Rizin 26 – Saitama.[35] He lost the fight by a first-round TKO.[36]

Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix 2021

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Asakura faced Shooto Watanabe in the opening round of the Bantamweight Grand Prix at Rizin 28 on June 13, 2021. [37] He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout.[38]

Asakura faced Alan Yamaniha in the quarterfinals on September 19, 2021 at Rizin 30.[39] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[40]

In the semi-finals, Asakura faced Kenta Takizawa on December 31, 2021 at Rizin 33.[41] He won the fight by unanimous decision, and advanced to the tournament finals, where he faced Hiromasa Ougikubo.[42] He lost the bout via unanimous decision, becoming the runner up in the Grand Prix.[43]

Continued bantamweight career

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Asakura was expected to face the undefeated Ji Yong Yang at Rizin 36 on July 2, 2022.[44] Asakura withdrew from the fight on June 30, as he had re-injured his right hand.[45]

Asakura faced Yuki Motoya at Rizin 42 on May 6, 2023.[46] He won the fight by a second-round flying knee knockout.[47]

Asakura was expected to face former Bellator Bantamweight Champion Juan Archuleta for the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship at Bellator MMA x Rizin 2 on July 30, 2023.[48] However on July 18 it was announced that Asakura withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Hiromasa Ougikubo.[49]

Second title reign

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Asakura faced Juan Archuleta for the Rizin Bantamweight Championship on December 31, 2023, at Rizin 45.[50] At the weigh-ins, Archuleta weighed in at 140.65 pounds, 5.65 pounds over the limit. As a result, Archuleta was stripped of the title and only Asakura was eligible to win it.[51] Asakura won the bout via technical knockout in the second round.[52]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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On June 8, 2024, it was announced that Asakura signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[53]

In his promotional debut, Asakura is scheduled to compete for the UFC Flyweight Championship against champion Alexandre Pantoja on December 7, 2024 at UFC 310.[54]

Championships and achievements

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Mixed martial arts

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Personal life

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He is the younger brother of Mikuru Asakura.[3]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
25 matches 21 wins 4 losses
By knockout 13 3
By submission 3 0
By decision 5 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 21–4 Juan Archuleta TKO (knee to the body and punches) Rizin 45 December 31, 2023 2 3:20 Saitama, Japan Won the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship. Archuleta missed weight (140.65 lb) and was stripped of the title. Only Asakura was eligible to win title. Later vacated it on 9 June 2024.
Win 20–4 Yuki Motoya KO (knee to the body) Rizin 42 May 6, 2023 3 2:25 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 19–4 Hiromasa Ougikubo Decision (unanimous) Rizin 33 December 31, 2021 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan 2021 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix Final.
Win 19–3 Kenta Takizawa Decision (unanimous) 3 5:00 2021 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win 18–3 Alan Yamaniha Decision (unanimous) Rizin 30 September 19, 2021 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan 2021 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win 17–3 Shooto Watanabe TKO (punches) Rizin 28 June 13, 2021 1 3:22 Tokyo, Japan 2021 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix Opening round.
Loss 16–3 Kyoji Horiguchi KO (punches) Rizin 26 December 31, 2020 1 2:48 Saitama, Japan Lost the Rizin Bantamweight Championship.
Win 16–2 Shoji Maruyama TKO (punches and soccer kick) Rizin 24 September 27, 2020 1 2:37 Saitama, Japan Non-title bout.
Win 15–2 Hiromasa Ougikubo KO (knee and soccer kicks) Rizin 23 August 10, 2020 1 4:31 Yokohama, Japan Won the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship.
Loss 14–2 Manel Kape TKO (punches) Rizin 20 December 31, 2019 2 0:38 Saitama, Japan For the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship.
Win 14–1 Ulka Sasaki TKO (broken jaw) Rizin 19 October 12, 2019 1 0:54 Osaka, Japan
Win 13–1 Kyoji Horiguchi KO (punches) Rizin 18 August 18, 2019 1 1:08 Nagoya, Japan
Win 12–1 Moon Jae-hoon Decision (unanimous) Rizin: Heisei's Last Yarennoka! December 30, 2018 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan Bantamweight debut.
Win 11–1 Topnoi Kiwram Decision (unanimous) Rizin 13 September 30, 2018 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan Catchweight (130 lb) bout.
Win 10–1 Manel Kape Decision (split) Rizin 10 May 6, 2018 3 5:00 Fukuoka, Japan Catchweight (130 lb) bout.
Win 9–1 Kizaemon Saiga TKO (punches and knee) Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round December 29, 2017 2 2:34 Saitama, Japan Catchweight (139 lb) bout.
Loss 8–1 Moon Jae-hoon KO (punches) Road FC 039 June 10, 2017 3 2:38 Seoul, South Korea
Win 8–0 Alateng Heili KO (knee and punches) Road FC 037 March 11, 2017 1 0:29 Seoul, South Korea Return to Flyweight.
Win 7–0 Yoichi Oi TKO (punches) Rings: The Outsider 42 September 4, 2016 1 4:52 Aichi, Japan Won the Rings 60kg Championship.
Win 6–0 Liu Xiaoyang Submission (rear-naked choke) Road FC 032 July 2, 2016 1 1:49 Changsha, China
Win 5–0 Kwak Jong-hyun TKO (punches) Rings: The Outsider 38 December 13, 2015 1 4:04 Tokyo, Japan Flyweight debut.
Win 4–0 Choi Jung-bin Submission (brabo choke) Rings: The Outsider 37 September 6, 2015 1 2:21 Numazu, Japan Catchweight (128 lb) bout.
Win 3–0 Keigo Takayama TKO (punches) Rings: The Outsider 36 July 19, 2015 1 0:40 Tokyo, Japan
Win 2–0 Satoru Date TKO (punches) Rings: The Outsider 35 May 17, 2015 2 3:36 Tokyo, Japan Moved to Rings' 60 kg division.
Win 1–0 Tomoya Suzuki Submission (armbar) DEEP: Cage Impact 2012 in Hamamatsu September 16, 2012 1 2:34 Hamamatsu, Japan Catchweight (128 lb) bout.

[56]

Amateur mixed martial arts record

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Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 8–2 Yoichi Oi TKO (punches) Rings: The Outsider 33 December 7, 2014 1 N/A Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan Won the Outsider Bantamweight Tournament Championship.
Win 7–2 Masamichi Yoshino TKO (punches) Rings: The Outsider 33 December 7, 2014 1 0:22 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan Outsider Bantamweight Tournament Semi-finals.
Win 6–2 Takayuki Okugi TKO (punches) Rings: The Outsider 32 September 7, 2014 1 0:23 Kadoma, Osaka, Japan
Win 5–2 Masaya Kamide Decision (unanimous) Rings: The Outsider 31 June 22, 2014 2 3:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 4–2 Kenta Tanoue TKO (punches) Rings: The Outsider 30 April 6, 2014 1 1:07 Tokyo, Japan
Win 3–2 Shota Kaneko TKO (punches) Rings: The Outsider 29 February 16, 2014 1 1:09 Tokyo, Japan
Win 2–2 Masamune Shimada Decision (unanimous) Rings: The Outsider 28 December 7, 2013 2 3:00 Kadoma, Osaka, Japan
Loss 1–2 Ryota Kitamura Decision (unanimous) Rings: The Outsider 27 September 9, 2013 2 3:00 Osaka, Japan
Loss 1–1 Riku Shibuya Decision (unanimous) Rings: The Outsider 25 April 21, 2013 2 3:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 1–0 Dai Aoki Submission (armbar) Rings: The Outsider 24 February 10, 2013 1 0:31 Tokyo, Japan

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kai Asakura". RizinFF. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Tri-Force Jiu-Jitsu Academy". Tapology. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b Blaine Henry (December 23, 2020). "Kyoji Horiguchi: The Inevitable Return". Fight-Library.com.
  4. ^ "Kai Asakura". Fight Matrix. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  5. ^ "総合格闘家の朝倉未来＆朝倉海、連勝街道を突き進む"最強の兄弟"のルーツと格闘技への深い愛情". Excite. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Are RIZIN's brutal brothers its next native stars?". Bloody Elbow. 29 December 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  7. ^ "RIZINファイター朝倉海選手を育てた先生 宮野勝吉【禅道会豊橋支部長】インタビュー". Zen Dokai. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  8. ^ Blaine Henry (December 22, 2020). "Kai Asakura: Seizing Opportunity". Fight-Library.com.
  9. ^ "Kai Asakura vs. Tomoya Suzuki". Tapology. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Kai Asakura vs. Satoshi Date". Tapology. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  11. ^ "Keigo Takayama vs. Kai Asakura". Tapology. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  12. ^ "Kai Asakura vs. Jung Bin Choi". Tapology. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  13. ^ "Kai Asakura vs. Jong Hyun Kwak". Tapology. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  14. ^ "Kai Asakura vs. Liu Xiaoyang". Tapology. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  15. ^ "Kai Asakura vs. Yoichi Oi". Tapology. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  16. ^ "'진짜가 나타났다' 아사쿠라 형제의 충격적인 ROAD FC 첫 등장!". post.naver.com. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  17. ^ "[ROAD FC 039] '타격왕' 문제훈, '8연승' 아사쿠라 잠재워". gukjenews.com. 10 June 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  18. ^ "Kizaemon Saiga replaces an injured Seiichiro Ito against Kai Asakura". MMA Sucka. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  19. ^ "ＲＩＺＩＮファイター朝倉 海選手 【禅道会豊橋支部】が年末の格闘技ＲＩＺＩＮに出場して見事ＴＫＯ勝利！". zendokai.jp. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  20. ^ "MMAjunkie's 'Fight of the Month' for May: Contenders battle in Brazil". MMA Junkie. June 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  21. ^ "Kai Asakura returns against Topnoi Thanongsaklek at RIZIN 11". MMA Sucka. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  22. ^ "Rizin 13 Results: Kyoji Horiguchi Loses Kickboxing Debut; 'Cro Cop' Wins 9th Straight". Sherdog. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  23. ^ "RIZIN: Yarennoka! Retrospective: Jae Hoon Moon vs. Kai Asakura". MMA Sucka. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  24. ^ "【RIZIN】朝倉海が組みでジェフンを削り、打ち合いも競り勝つ「強くなるきっかけをつくってくれたジェフン選手に感謝します」＝＝12.31「RIZIN 平成最後のやれんのか！」". gonkaku.jp. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  25. ^ "Knee injury forces Justin Scoggins out of Rizin 15 fight with Kai Asakura". MMAFighting. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  26. ^ "Rizin FF 18 results: Kai Asakura stuns Kyoji Horiguchi in non-title clash". MMAJunkie. 18 August 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  27. ^ "Kai Asakura gets quick turnaround after Kyoji Horiguchi win, headlines Rizin 19 against Ulka Sasaki". MMAFighting. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  28. ^ "Rizin 19 results: Jiri Prochazka blasts through Fabio Maldonado, Kai Asakura overwhelms Ulka Sasaki". MMAFighting. 12 October 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  29. ^ "Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Kai Asakura 2 booked for Rizin's New Year's Eve event". MMA Fighting. 12 October 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  30. ^ "RIZIN 20 results: Manel Kape stops Kai Asakura to claim bantamweight title". MMAFighting. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  31. ^ "Kai Asakura faces Hiromasa Ogikubo in bantamweight title fight at Rizin 23". Asianmma.com. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  32. ^ a b Cruz, Guilherme (2020-08-10). "RIZIN 23 results: Kai Asakura wins title with first-round soccer kick knockout". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  33. ^ "Kai Asakura, Rena Kubota added to Rizin 24". asianmma.com. 15 September 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  34. ^ "Kai Asakura dominates with first round stoppage win at Rizin 24". asianmma.com. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  35. ^ "Kyoji Horiguchi to rematch Kai Asakura at Rizin 26". asianmma.com. 13 November 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  36. ^ "RIZIN.26 NYE Results and videos: Kyoji Horiguchi gets revenge, TKOs Asakura early". bloodyelbow.com. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  37. ^ "Kai Asakura faces Shooto Watanabe at postponed Rizin 28 | Asian MMA". AsianMMA. 2021-04-23. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  38. ^ "【RIZIN】朝倉海「強くなって戻ってきた」 1回TKO勝ち！トーナメントV宣言". sponichi.co.jp. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  39. ^ "Ayaka Hamasaki faces Emi Fujino at Rizin 30 | Asian MMA". AsianMMA. 2021-07-20. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  40. ^ "【RIZIN】朝倉海、ボンサイ柔術撃破で準決勝進出 中川翔子も客席で勝利祈る". news.yahoo.co.jp. Archived from the original on 20 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  41. ^ "Rizin FF 33 bantamweight grand prix semifinals set: Former champion Kai Asakura draws Kenta Takizawa". MMA Junkie. 2021-11-30. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
  42. ^ "【ＲＩＺＩＮ】朝倉海が瀧沢謙太に３－０判定勝ちで決勝進出 バンタム級Ｔ". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  43. ^ a b Newswire, MMA Fighting (2021-12-31). "RIZIN 33 results: Tenshin Nasukawa vs. Takanori Gomi ends in draw, Hiromasa Ougikubo pulls off upset in grand prix final". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-12-31.
  44. ^ "【RIZIN】朝倉海７・２沖縄大会で復帰 榊原CEO「残念ながら次戦はUFCではない」". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  45. ^ "【RIZIN】朝倉海が欠場！右拳の骨折が完治せず手術へ、代打に昇侍=7.2沖縄". efight.jp. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  46. ^ "バンタム級王座をめぐり朝倉海vs元谷友貴、井上直樹vsフアン・アーチュレッタ。勝った2人で7月末に王座戦【RIZIN.42】". tokyoheadline.com. 6 March 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  47. ^ "【RIZIN】朝倉海、復帰戦で３回TKO勝利！キングカズ次男・三浦孝太は流血初黒星／詳細". nikkansports.com. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  48. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-05-27). "Kai Asakura vs. Juan Archuleta, Mikuru Asakura vs. Vugar Karamov Announced for Bellator X RIZIN 2". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  49. ^ "Ougikubo Replaces Asakura, Faces Archuleta for Bantamweight Title at Super Rizin 2". sherdog.com.
  50. ^ "RIZIN 45 Adds Multiple Bouts, Including Miyuu Yamamoto Retirement Fight". cagesidepress.com.
  51. ^ Cruz, Guillherme (2023-12-30). "RIZIN 45 weigh-in results: Juan Archuleta misses weight, stripped of bantamweight title". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  52. ^ a b "Kai Asakura stops Juan Archuleta with brutal knee to the body, wins bantamweight title at Rizin 45". mmajunkie.usatoday.com.
  53. ^ Behunin, Alexander (2024-06-09). "UFC Signs RIZIN Bantamweight Champion Kai Asakura". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  54. ^ Brian Mazique (12 October 2024). "Dana White Awards Japanese Star A Championship Fight In His UFC Debut". Forbes. Archived from the original on 21 October 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  55. ^ "【月間ベストファイター・8月】朝倉海、世界に衝撃が走った68秒のKO劇、１ヶ月経って振り返る勝因と反省点". efight.jp. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  56. ^ Sherdog.com. "Kai Asakura MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  57. ^ Sherdog.com. "Kai Asakura MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
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