Recent promotional debutante, Kai Asakura is set for his sophmore Octagon outing later this summer, booking a return bout against fellow ex-title challenger, Tim Elliott at UFC 319 from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on August 16.
Asakura, who headlined UFC 310 at the end of last year, made his Octagon bow following championship success with Japanese-promotion, Rizin FF.
And competing for the undisputed flyweight crown in his debut, Japan fan-favorite, Asakura suffered an eventual second round rear-naked choke submission loss to dominant incumbent champion, Alexandre Pantoja.
As for veteran contender, Elliott, the current number eleven ranked contender most recently at UFC Vegas 83 two years ago, landing a first round arm-triangle submission win over Sumudaerji.
Kai Asakura books UFC 319 return against Tim Elliott
News of Kai Asakura’s return against the veteran, Tim Elliott at UFC 319 was first reported by X user, @realkevink.
Seeing his impressive run of two consecutive victories by knockout stopped in his submission loss to Brazilian star, Pantoja, Asakura had previously racked up a finish over former Bellator MMA champion, Juan Archuleta, as well as Yuki Motoya.
For Elliott, the former Titan FC champion and Ultimate Fighter winner challenged former champion, Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight crown at The Ultimate Fighter: Tournament of Champions back in 2016 — suffering a unanimous decision loss to the Kentucky favorite.
But later in his second stint with the promotion, Elliott landed notable wins over the likes of Louis Smolka, Mark De La Rosa, and Tagir Ulanbekov to name a few.
UFC 319 takes place on August 16. from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, with an undisputed middleweight championship fight between defending champion, Dricus du Plessis, and unbeaten challenger, Khamzat Chimaev set to headline the flagship event.
