Former flyweight title challengers, Tim Elliott and Kai Asakura get the main card off and running at UFC 319 this Saturday. Veteran Tim Elliott was last in the octagon in 2023 when he picked up a submission victory. The American is the usual test for aspiring contenders in the 125-pound class, but faces a Kai Asakura who went from RIZIN to compete for UFC flyweight gold in his debut last year. The Japanese sensation may have lost to Alexandre Pantoja last December in the flyweight championship fight, but he is the huge favorite of the bookmakers to pick up his first UFC win in his second outing.
Bet on Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura with Bet365
Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura Details
- Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
- Time: 22:00 ET
- Venue: United Center, Chicago, IL
Where to watch Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura Live on TV or stream
| Country | TV Channel/Stream |
|---|---|
| UK | TNT Sports, Discovery+ |
| US | ESPN+ PPV |
| Canada | PPV |
| Africa | Supersport, UFC Fight Pass PPV |
| Austarlia | Foxtel, Kayo Sports |
Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura Fight Preview
Tim Elliott: form and statistics
American Tim Elliott landed in the UFC back in 2016 with an instant chance to claim the flyweight crown against Demetrious Johnson. He lost the title joust, but went on to carve out a successful career in the flyweight division. The 38-year-old is number 11 in the flyweight rankings. Tim Elliottt finished Su Mudaerji with an arm-triangle choke in their fight last December 2025.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 38
- Height: 5'7"
- Reach: 66"
- Weight: 125 lbs (57kg)
- Record: 20-13
Kai Asakura: form and Statistics
Kai Asakura lasted only to the second round in his UFC debut last December before he was choked out by Pantoja. In December 2023, the Japanese flyweight had won the RIZIN bantamweight title for a second time with a TKO of Juan Archuleta. A standout competitor in RIZIN, Asakura became famous for beating household names like Manel Kape, Kyoji Horiguchi, and Hiromasa Ougikubo. Holding the last ranked place in the flyweight division, a victory will vault the Japanese further up the flyweight ladder.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 31
- Height: 5'8"
- Reach: 69"
- Weight: 125 lbs (57kg)
- Record: 21-5
Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura Fight Prediction
Tim Elliottt may still have a few more highlights in the UFC, and his victory last time out against Mudaerji is one of them. However, we predict that he will be easily beaten by the younger and fresher Kai Asakura. The newcomer is desperate for a first UFC win to get his UFC career on track, and he will get it. We predict Kai Asakura to win by KO/TKO.
Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura Fight Odds
| Bookmakers | Tim Elliott to win | Kai Asakura by submission |
|---|---|---|
| Bet365 | 3.50 | 2.62 |
| 1xbet | 3.54 | 2.75 |
| Betway | 3.25 | 2.50 |
