Kai Asakura is fighting for the flyweight title in the main event of UFC 310 — his first-ever bout in the United States — and the Japanese MMA star says there’s one special person he’d love to see Octagon-side … Shohei Ohtani!
TMZ Sports recently chopped it up with 31-year-old Asakura before his UFC debut — a title bout vs. Alexandre Pantoja going down December 10 in Las Vegas — and the 21-4 fighter hopes the newly minted World Series champ can squeeze in a trip to Sin City.
“I have never met [Ohtani],” Asakura told us through a translator. “But I’d love him to come and watch my fight.”
It’s unclear if Shohei is even a fight fan … but it’s routine to see big stars, including top athletes, at UFC events.
As for what Shohei, or any other folks watching, can expect to see from Kai … here’s what he had to say.
“They’re gonna realize that I have an explosive fight style,” he said. “I think they’re gonna see something that they’ve never seen before, and I want them to be my fans after this fight as well going forward.”
We also asked Asakura whether 21-4 Pantoja, attempting to make his third title defense, is his toughest opponent.
“I don’t think so,” he said, wasting no time.
We also caught up with the champ … and he sees things going a bit differently than his challenger.