Michael Bisping sees Kai Asakura dealing with a possible hurdle at UFC 310.
Former RIZIN bantamweight champion Asakura (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) challenges UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) on Dec. 7 at T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+). Asakura will get a title shot in his UFC debut, however with Pantoja’s heavy tempo and grappling model, Bisping is curious to see how the Japanese star adapts to preventing in a cage.
“The massive distinction between PRIDE and the UFC is that they’re competing in a hoop,” Bisping stated on his YouTube channel. “And the rationale why that is going to be attention-grabbing is as a result of, has he tailored his model to the UFC? Has he been coaching in a cage?”
Pantoja is coming off his second profitable title protection towards Steve Erceg at UFC 301 in Might. In the meantime, Asakura scored a TKO end of Juan Archuleta to say the RIZIN bantamweight title final December.
“Final time we noticed Pantoja, he had a troublesome outing with Steve Erceg, a person that shot to fame and rose by the rankings in document time,” Bisping stated. “However Kai Asakura, this can be a man that’s extraordinarily explosive.
“He’s a lifelong martial artist, bone-breaking energy as I stated to you, however in case you can’t cease the takedown then I’ll let you know what: It’s going to be one other fighter coming over from Japan and never making the transition.”
Bisping used examples like Mauricio Rua, who, regardless of realizing UFC gold, dropped his octagon debut after transitioning from PRIDE.
“Folks like Mirko Cro Cop had a great run within the UFC however actually was not as profitable as what he was in PRIDE, and the listing goes on – and the Nogueira brothers,” Bisping stated. “Once more, I’m not saying something unhealthy about these fighters.
“A variety of them went on to develop into champions. So, in fact, they bought there finally, however there have been a few obstacles alongside the way in which, and can Kai Asakura be one other one who stumbles in his first try?”
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