"Aura level off the charts this week" - Fans react as "paid actor" Kai Asakura shows off "secret" body kick on Nina-Marie Daniele

UFC newcomer Kai Asakura had fans buzzing after a lighthearted training session with interviewer Nina-Marie Daniele. In a playful exchange ahead of his title fight against Alexandre Pantoja, Asakura showcased a "secret" body kick inspired by 'The Karate Kid.'

During the session, captured in a clip shared by Daniele on X, Asakura humorously overacted, falling to the ground as if Daniele's kick had knocked him out. Laughing, Marie Daniele quipped:

"He's a paid actor"

This sparked a wave of fan reactions online.

Fans couldn't get enough of Asakura's charisma. One commented:

"Kai's aura level is off the charts this week"

Another fan wrote:

"Kai the entertaining man 😂"

Check out some of the fan reactions below:

Fans react to recent interaction between Nina-Marie Daniele and Kai Asakura. [Screenshot courtesy: X]

The 30-year-old Asakura, a former Rizin champion with a 21-4 record, is making his UFC debut in this title clash. He faces Pantoja, a dominant champion riding a six-fight winning streak, known for his grappling prowess. This high-stakes bout headlines a card reshuffled after welterweight champion Belal Muhammad's withdrawal.

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Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura engage in a verbal exchange before UFC 310

Kai Asakura and Alexandre Pantoja are fueling anticipation for their high-stakes flyweight title fight at UFC 310, which will take place on December 7, 2024, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Asakura, known for his devastating knockout power, expressed confidence in a UFC promo, claiming:

"My advantage over Pantoja is that I can finish him in one shot. So if he makes even one mistake, I’m confident that I can KO him in one shot."

The former Rizin bantamweight champion has 13 KO/TKO wins on his record, with his last victory a second-round TKO of Juan Archuleta at Rizin 45 in Dec 2023.

Pantoja, riding a six-fight winning streak, fired back in the same promo, asserting:

"Wherever the fight goes, it will be my fight. At UFC 310, I want to finish Asakura. I want to bring his head for my table."

The Brazilian champion last fought at UFC 301, securing a dominant unanimous decision win over Steve Erceg to extend his record to 28-5.

Check out the clip below: