Kai Asakura has finally showcased the electrifying performance that fans anticipated from him in the UFC.
Competing in his bantamweight debut after a challenging start to his Octagon career, the former RIZIN standout needed less than two minutes to defeat Cameron Smotherman at UFC Macau on Saturday.
Asakura entered the bout aiming for his inaugural UFC win, having suffered consecutive submission defeats to former flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 310 and veteran contender Tim Elliott at UFC 319. The move up to the 135-pound division proved to be an immediate positive.
From the opening moments, the Japanese fighter displayed impressive speed, power, and confidence. He began by landing a series of damaging leg kicks, then transitioned to sharp boxing combinations that consistently pushed Smotherman onto the defensive.
This pressure quickly yielded results.
A precise right hand visibly stunned the American fighter, leaving him struggling to regain his balance. Recognizing an opportunity to finish the fight, Kai Asakura pressed forward, cornering Smotherman against the fence before unleashing a powerful left hook that sent his opponent to the canvas.
Only a few follow-up strikes were necessary before the referee intervened, stopping the fight at 1:50 of the first round.
This victory brings Kai Asakura’s professional MMA record to 22 wins and 6 losses. The first-round stoppage was his 17th career finish and signals a promising new phase for him in the UFC.