With May drawing to a close and June fast approaching, the MMA landscape continues to evolve, and the UFC machine shows no signs of slowing down. Dana White & Co. have already unveiled several stacked cards for upcoming major PPV events. Yet one card that remained largely under the radar was the UFC’s August showcase — UFC 319 — featuring a blockbuster middleweight title bout between reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev, scheduled for August 16 at Chicago’s United Center.

Until now, details beyond the headliner were scarce. However, UFC 319 is finally starting to take shape. According to a recent update from MMA Orbit, the Chicago event will also serve as a redemption platform for former RIZIN bantamweight standout Kai Asakura. As reported by MMA Orbit:’

“Tim Elliott will take on Kai Asakura at #UFC319 on August 16th.”

The Japanese star was one of the rare few to earn a title shot in his UFC debut — a bold decision from Dana White & Co. as they aimed to revitalize a flyweight division that had grown stagnant under reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja. Since capturing the title in July 2023, ‘The Cannibal’ has effectively cleaned out the division.

Despite Kai Asakura’s hype and proven skill set, his debut fell short. The Japanese star was outclassed by Pantoja, who showed exactly what separates UFC champions from international contenders. Now ranked #15 in the division, the former RIZIN bantamweight star is on the comeback trail.

Next up for him is 38-year-old veteran Tim Elliott, a gritty and experienced competitor who’s won three of his last four fights. Though clearly in the twilight of his career, Elliott remains a tough outing for anyone at 125 lbs. However, the matchup is still pending official confirmation from the UFC.

Will Kai Asakura come back stronger?

Kai Asakura entered UFC 310 in Las Vegas with clear ambitions. “I want to fight for the title, you know?… With this victory, I think I can raise my hand a little and say, ‘Hey, man, I think I deserve the opportunity as well.’ So, I don’t know. I have to use this card,” he said confidently. However, his hopes took a hit when Alexandre Pantoja, known for his seemingly endless “gas tank,” caught the Japanese star off guard and secured a rear-naked choke submission—an outcome that surprised many, considering Asakura’s status as a former RIZIN bantamweight champion.

This fight marked Kai Asakura’s first venture back into the flyweight division since 2017, when he suffered a knockout loss to Kyoji Horiguchi. Unfortunately, his return to flyweight followed a familiar storyline, as he struggled to match Alexandre Pantoja’s relentless wrestling and pace. Following the setback in his UFC debut, Asakura took to social media to share a candid reflection on his performance against the reigning flyweight champ. He said,

“Thank you so much for all your support. I’m sorry I couldn’t repay you with results. He was a great champion and I was still weak. I didn’t reach it this time, but I’ll definitely climb up and become the champion. I’ve always done that, and I’ll keep doing it until I achieve it. I’ll come back stronger.”

With Kai Asakura now eyeing redemption at UFC 319, the fight card is finally coming together. From rising prospects to seasoned veterans, the lineup is starting to build real momentum. What do you think about the latest matchups? Are the recent announcements enough to get you hyped for the event? Share your thoughts in the comments below!