Kai Asakura to face Aoriqileng at UFC Shanghai

Kai Asakura is set to face Aoriqileng at UFC Shanghai on August 29, 2026. Following a difficult stint at flyweight that included submission losses to Alexandre Pantoja and Tim Elliott, Asakura has returned to the bantamweight division.

Asakura recently secured a first-round knockout victory against Cameron Smotherman, a performance attributed to the benefits of moving back up to 135 pounds. During media events, Asakura expressed confidence in his improved strength and stated, “I will knock him out and I will show a new combination this Saturday.”

Aoriqileng enters the bout as a durable pressure fighter known for high striking volume, though he has shown defensive vulnerabilities. The matchup is part of a UFC Fight Night card headlined by Umar Nurmagomedov versus Song Yadong.