The featherweight King will not exclude a large upset that drops at UFC 319.
After back-to-back events in the Apex in Las Vegas, the UFC goes back on the road to organize its latest pay-per-view event in the United Center of Chicago on August 16 in Chicago. All eyes are focused on the main event that Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev's title Clash Top A UFC 319 line-up is not short on notable names.
Among those who form the stage for the headliner of the middleweight championship is the former flight weight Challenger Kai Asakura, which returns for his second Octagon -outing against Tim Elliott in the UFC 319 card opener.
The Japanese star will enter the cage as the biggest favorite of the card as things, but that has not convinced that a ruling champion is guaranteed that victory in the night …
Alexander Volkanovski can see paths to victory for Tim Elliott against Kai Asakura
After signing at the UFC after a stint as champion in Rizin, Asakura received an immediate title shot in the year -end PPV in December 2024. Things did not go to plan for the newcomer, because Alexandre Pantoja Asakura suffered in round two at UFC 310.
In his pursuit of a first Octagon victory, Asakura will then be confronted with Elliott, a 38-year-old veteran who has stayed just outside the flight weight in recent years. He has had his title heap that is stuck by Muhammad Mokaev and Matheus Nicolau in recent years.
The American is generally expected to serve as the victim for Asakura's journey back to the gold on UFC 319, but while he frightened the fight on his YouTube channel, Volkanovski did not warn the experienced resident of Arkansas.
“That's a pretty tough favorite,” said Volkanovski, responding to the OFC 319 opportunities from Asakura.
“Let's really be, (Elliott) could be easy – I just showed you, (when asakura) becomes aggressive, there are times that you can shoot. Yes, there is damage while that happens (but) he can get a finish if he brings Kai down? Yes.
“That can happen,” Volkanovski continued. “The only thing is, I feel that there is a bit of damage, even if he finally gets the Takedown. So I feel that Kai is going to win rounds.
“I'm going to tend to KAI, but I want you to remember-heavy favorite, you know how I like the Underdogs, and you can see an upset here. Well rounded, experienced guys like this … can certainly do that.”
Alexander Volkanovski has been told that UFC 319 will decide who will end his regime
Although Volkanovski would undoubtedly always enjoy the action on UFC 319, a late addition to the map may have thrown his interest.
The PPV in Chicago on August 16 was without a Co-Main event until the end of July, when Aaron Pico vs. Lerone Murphy was announced. The collision sees a former Bellator making striking debut against an undefeated candidate for featherweight.
Among the high on both men is former two -division champion Henry Cejudo. 'Triple C' wants to see the winner at UFC 319 Challenge 'Alexander the Great' next, and if he gets that wish, Cejudo believes that Pico or Murphy Volkanovski will deduct.
“The winner of this fight is going to fight Alexander Volkanovski, and I also feel that the winner of this fight will be our next champion,” said Cejudo on his 4 pounds next to Kamaru Usman.
“All the respect for people, but guy, these young weapons. Lerone Murphy is fighting Aaron Pico. Aaron Pico is in his F-Prime, Bro. Power, struggling; he has been a manchild since he was a child, competing at the highest level while he was in high school, throbbing world champion.
“And then Lerone Murphy, which he was able to do with many of these hunters, man,” Cejudo continued. “Unbeaten, very difficult, brings a lot of struggling into; he is different, he is like Merab (Dvalishvili).”