Rizin FF 23 free fight: Kai Asakura smashes Hiromasa Ogikubo with soccer kicks to win 135-pound title
After losing his first shot at the Rizin FF bantamweight title, Japan’s Kai Asakura had no intention of letting history repeat itself when he returned for a second crack at the gold.
Asakura (15-2) took on “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 24 finalist Hiromasa Ogikubo in the main event of Rizin FF 23 at the Pia Arena in Yokohama, and he didn’t waste his chance as he demolished Ogikubo (20-5-2) inside a round to claim the title in impressive style.
Asakura found his groove early on and let fly with some flashy, powerful strikes, including a thumping body kick and a flying knee as he attacked Ogikubo’s midsection early.
He then switched his attention to Ogikubo’s chin and connected with a peach of an uppercut that briefly wobbled his opponent. Sensing victory was near, Asakura cut off the cage and loaded up with strikes as his power began to tell.
Then, in the second half of the first round, Asakura found the breakthrough as he landed another huge uppercut, then followed up with a flying knee that sent Ogikubo to the canvas.
Asakura then unloaded a barrage of heavy-handed ground strikes, then connected with two huge soccer kicks as he forced the first-round stoppage and claimed the vacant belt in devastating style.
Recap Asakura’s blistering performance at Rizin FF 23 via the video above.