UFC 319: Kai Asakura media day interview
UFC 319 fighter Kai Asakura spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at media day for his main card bout vs. Tim Elliott on Saturday in Chicago.
CHICAGO – UFC 319 will be Take 2 for Kai Asakura.
A former RIZIN star and champion, Askaura (21-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC) made the rare move of debuting in a UFC title fight this past December. He was submitted by champion Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 310 in Round 2. Saturday, he makes his return vs. Tim Elliott at United Center.
“I wanted to return sooner, but I used this time to improve and deal with my weaknesses,” Asakura told MMA Junkie and other reporters through a Japanese-language interpreter at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “I’m more than ready and I’m here. … Last match was my first time, so I was not really getting used to how UFC style works. But I have experienced it now. I’m all ready and I’m here to return.”
Asakura, 31, said the only thing that really caught him off guard in his UFC debut was the fight surface. Japan has a long history of using rings rather than cages, and Asakura said that was noticeable vs. Pantoja.
“Nothing really shocking, but I was so used to fighting in the ring,” Asakura said. “So I had to adjust myself to the octagon style, the walls and everything else.”
Elliott (20-13-1 MMA, 10-13 UFC) is a former UFC title challenger, a seasoned veteran and a unique stylistic matchup to prepare for. Asakura, however, is well-acquainted. He issued a warning Wednesday to Elliott, 38, pertaining to his hands-down approach.
“I have been watching Tim’s fights many times,” Asakura said. “I have already analyzed his moves. I am so ready now. … If he does it to me, he better be careful. I’m just going to KO him and knock him down. … The only thing I have to do to win here is to show my own strengths and power. That’s about it.”
