TLDR
- Kai Asakura promises to debut new striking combinations in his fight against Qileng Aori at UFC Shanghai on August 29
- The former Rizin champion lost his first two UFC fights at flyweight before winning at bantamweight earlier in 2026
- Asakura defeated Cameron Smotherman in his first bantamweight bout and seeks his second straight UFC victory
- The Japanese fighter says he feels stronger and more comfortable competing at 135 pounds
- Asakura wants to fight again before the end of 2026 and hopes to compete on a UFC card in Japan
Sources: sherdog.com | ufc.com | boxingnews.com
Kai Asakura plans to debut new striking combinations when he faces Qileng Aori at UFC Shanghai on August 29. The former Rizin Fighting Federation champion told reporters at the UFC Shanghai media day that he intends to finish his opponent with techniques he has not shown in the Octagon.
“I will knock him out and I will show a new combination this Saturday,” Asakura said during the event.
Asakura is coming off a difficult start to his UFC career. He lost his first two appearances in the promotion after competing at flyweight.
He then moved up to bantamweight and secured his first UFC victory against Cameron Smotherman earlier in 2026. The Japanese fighter now faces Aori looking to extend his winning streak to two fights.
Settling Into Bantamweight Division
Asakura stated that he feels more comfortable at 135 pounds. He believes the bantamweight division is the right weight class for his fighting style.
“I am stronger than my last fight,” Asakura said in a UFC.com interview ahead of the Shanghai event.
Kai Asakura hits a cute little shifting combo to drop Cameron Smotherman pic.twitter.com/CzP2jDPOp0
— MixingMartialArts (@RyanAWagMMA) June 1, 2026
The 33-year-old fighter is not just focused on securing a win. He wants to demonstrate his improvement and showcase new skills he has been working on in training.
Asakura emphasized that his performance will reflect the progress he has made since his victory over Smotherman. He expressed confidence in his preparation for the Aori matchup.
Plans for Active Schedule and Japan Return
Asakura revealed that he wants to stay active in the UFC. He hopes to compete again before the end of 2026 if he is successful in Shanghai.
The Japanese striker also expressed strong interest in fighting on a UFC card in his home country. He believes a UFC event in Japan would draw strong fan interest and support.
Asakura built his reputation in Japan through his time with Rizin Fighting Federation before making the move to the UFC. A return to compete in front of his home fans remains an important goal.
Qileng Aori will face Asakura on the UFC Fight Night card headlined by Umar Nurmagomedov versus Song Yadong. The event takes place in Shanghai, China on Saturday, August 29, 2026.
Asakura enters his second fight of 2026 looking to establish himself as a contender in the bantamweight division. After the rough beginning to his UFC tenure, he aims to prove that his move to 135 pounds was the right decision for his career.
