Kai Asakura got here up brief in his try and win a UFC title in his debut, however may have opened the door for one more RIZIN champion to affix the North American firm in 2025.
RIZIN light-weight champion Roberto Satoshi, who faces Vugar Karamov within the closing card of the 12 months on Dec. 31 in Saitama, Japan, as soon as advised MMA Combating he had “no need” to alter properties for the UFC as a result of “the popularity I’ve right here in RIZIN is out of the odd,” and “I’d hardly make within the UFC what I make in RIZIN.”
RIZIN president Nobuyuki Sakakibara was sitting cageside for Asakura’s problem in opposition to Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight gold at UFC 310, and it gave Satoshi the impression {that a} extra fascinating and profitable deal may very well be labored on for his transition, given Sakakibara’s nearer ties to UFC CEO Dana White.
“I used to be very glad for Kai, although he misplaced,” Satoshi mentioned in an interview with MMA Combating. “We have now to respect him as a result of he’s made his title within the media in Japan, he’s very fashionable right here, and that’s why there was lots of buzz right here. It was good for Japan, it was good for the UFC as properly. I’m glad to see Dana White saying he desires to be even nearer, which may open the door for extra RIZIN fighters there.”
Asakura is a very fashionable MMA title in Japan, pulling higher numbers on his personal YouTube channel than UFC star Alex Pereira, however Satoshi doesn’t have the identical character. He’s the kind of fighter that prefers to do the speaking inside rings and cages, and has completed it pretty properly in his most up-to-date bouts with back-to-back knockouts over Luiz Gustavo and Keita Nakamura.
The jiu-jitsu ace seems to defend his 155-pound for the fourth time on Dec. 31, and reveled his situation to think about becoming a member of the UFC.
“The one method I’d have the need to go to the UFC is that if it’s like Kai went,” Satoshi mentioned. “It doesn’t should be in a title battle, which I believe is difficult, particularly within the light-weight division with a protracted line ready for [Islam] Makhachev, but when there’s a possibility to battle somebody ranked, I’d be very . Now, if I’ve to go there and battle another person to then begin climbing the rankings, then I’m not .
“I’m already 35, so it’s onerous to begin that journey from zero. But when I can minimize the road a bit bit and at the very least battle somebody ranked, then I’m in. I’m glad right here at RIZIN, I’m well-paid, I’m the champion, and followers acknowledge me in Japan, however, prefer it or not, wanting by way of [size] of the UFC, to have the chance of preventing somebody ranked there could be one other nice chapter in my profession as a fighter.”
Satoshi was victorious in 10 of his 11 RIZIN bouts with 9 stoppages to his credit score, together with a first-round armbar over Johnny Case to avenge his single loss. Satoshi was overwhelmed twice in Japan when dealing with Bellator stars A.J. McKee Jr. and Patricky Pitbull, the latter being a last-minute catchweight.
Satoshi mentioned he hasn’t studied Islam Makhachev’s fights as he would if paired up in opposition to him, however sees the UFC king having cardio and power as his largest weapons, greater than precise approach.
The Brazilian expertise, who has even fought to a draw in opposition to a a lot heavier Gordon Ryan in jiu-jitsu at Quintet 3 again in 2019, has historical past with former 155-pound champion Charles Oliveira courting again to their days as younger jiu-jitsu blue-belts in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
“He was courageous,” Satoshi laughed. “He was from a lighter weight class however moved up simply to battle me, so we all the time ended up preventing one another twice in each match as a result of we might additionally meet within the absolute. Folks make enjoyable once I say this, however I’ve by no means misplaced to him in jiu-jitsu. I believe we fought six or seven occasions, and I all the time gained [laughs].”
