Asakura vows knockout and 'new combination' against Aori at UFC Shanghai on Aug. 29

Kai Asakura is targeting a knockout finish against Qileng Aori at UFC Shanghai on 29 August, pledging to unveil new striking combinations as he looks to build momentum at bantamweight following a turbulent start to his UFC career.

The former Rizin Fighting Federation champion lost his first two UFC appearances by stoppage before moving up to bantamweight, where he recorded his maiden promotional victory against Cameron Smotherman earlier in 2026. Asakura says the weight class suits him and that he is now settled enough to show genuine improvement in his game.

“I will knock him out and I will show a new combination this Saturday,” Asakura said at UFC Shanghai media day.

Asakura framed the bout as more than a simple win-or-lose proposition. Rather than grinding out a decision, he wants the finish to serve as proof of his development — a statement to the bantamweight division that the version of him who struggled in his first two UFC outings is no longer the one stepping into the cage.

Beyond Shanghai, Asakura revealed ambitions to remain active through the rest of 2026, with a second fight before year’s end firmly on his agenda. He also expressed a desire to compete in Japan, where he believes a UFC event would generate significant local interest given his profile from his Rizin days.

Aori represents a meaningful test for a fighter still establishing himself at 135 pounds. A finish would give Asakura back-to-back wins in the UFC for the first time and lend credibility to his claims of improvement ahead of what he hopes will be a busy second half of the year.