Kai Asakura finally has his first UFC victory, and he earned it in spectacular fashion. The former RIZIN champion looked right at home in his return to the bantamweight division on Saturday, stopping Cameron Smotherman with a first-round knockout at UFC Macau. The finish came just 1:50 into the fight and marked a much-needed breakthrough for the Japanese star.
Asakura Wastes No Time Taking Control
From the opening seconds, Asakura pressed forward and forced Smotherman onto the back foot. The 32-year-old remained patient despite his aggression, stalking his opponent while searching for a clean opening. When the opportunity arrived, Asakura capitalized instantly.
A powerful right hand landed flush and sent Smotherman retreating toward the fence. Asakura quickly closed the distance and followed with a crushing left hook that dropped Smotherman to the canvas. The referee stepped in moments later as the former RIZIN champion celebrated his first UFC win.
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Bantamweight Move Pays Immediate Dividends
The victory represented a fresh start for Asakura after a difficult introduction to the UFC. After signing with the promotion in 2024, he was immediately thrown into a flyweight title fight against Alexandre Pantoja. That bout ended in a second-round submission defeat. His next appearance brought a similar result, as veteran Tim Elliott also submitted him.
Back at 135 pounds, the weight class where he built his reputation in Japan, Asakura appeared far more comfortable and confident.
Former RIZIN Star Reignites Career
Before joining the UFC, Asakura established himself as one of RIZIN’s biggest stars during a successful six-year run.
His resume includes notable victories over Kyoji Horiguchi, Manel Kape, and Juan Archuleta. The performance against Smotherman offered a reminder of the knockout power and aggressive style that helped him capture championship gold overseas.
For Smotherman, the loss adds to a difficult stretch. The defeat was his third in a row and dropped his UFC record to 1-3.