LAS VEGAS – Alexandre Pantoja remembers hearing the name Kai Askaura for the first time. It was 2019, and Pantoja (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) suddenly was interested to learn more. Asakura (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) had just knocked out Kyoji Horiguchi, a teammate Pantoja holds in the highest regard.

Asakura (21-4) might not be as well known in the States, but fans love him over in Japan, where Asakura reigned as RIZIN's bantamweight champion. It's the best in the east vs. the best in the west, and Pantoja's sure getting his flowers for fighting whoever the UFC puts in front of him.

American Top Team coach Marcus "Parrumpa" da Matta arrived in Las Vegas on Sunday with Alexandre Pantoja, who will defend his flyweight title against Kai Asakura in the UFC 310 main event on Saturday night.