About Kai Asakura

Kai Asakura (朝倉 海, Asakura Kai; born 31 October 1993) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He previously competed in Rizin Fighting Federation, where he was the Rizin Bantamweight Champion. A professional since 2012, he also competed for Road Fighting Championship, Fighting Network Rings and DEEP.

Early life
In elementary school Kai trained karate and sumo, as well as spending three years training volleyball.

Kai and his brother, Mikuru Asakura, spent much of their childhood getting involved in numerous street fights. The brothers would often fight each other as well, to which Kai attributes his toughness as a professional mixed martial artist. As they were entering their adolescent years, at the suggestion of a therapist, their mother enrolled them into boxing classes.

Whilst a third year student at Aichi Prefectural Toyohashi Technical High School, his brother took him to the Zen Dokai Toyohashi Dojo, which was Kai’s first introduction to mixed martial arts. It was at the insistence and encouragement of his brother, Mikuru, that he took his interest in fighting.