Both Tim Elliott and Kai Asakura enter UFC 319 in the top 15 in the UFC’s flyweight rankings. But we could see one of them drop out of those rankings with a loss in this main card opener from Chicago. Asakura is looking for his first win on the UFC roster and Elliott is hoping to deny Asakura that first. Before these flyweights fight it out on Saturday, continue reading to get my Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura prediction.
Our Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura Pick
- Pick: Kai Asakura to win by knockout
- Confidence: ★★★★☆
- UFC 319 Bonus Bets: Hit the Claim Bonus button to claim our DraftKings Sportsbook promo code. You can bet $5 and win $200 in bonus bets INSTANTLY, plus get over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket!
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly + Over $200 Off NFL Sunday Ticket
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+ 
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+
Promo Code: Click To Claim
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly + Over $200 Off NFL Sunday Ticket
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+
Promo Code: Click To Claim
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+
Tale of the Tape
| Tim Elliott | Kai Asakura | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 38 | 31 |
| Reach | 66″ | 69″ |
| Stance | Southpaw | Orthodox |
| Record | 21–13–1 | 21–5–0 |
Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura Preview
We are in for a fun clash in styles in this fight. Tim Elliott brings a lengthy UFC résumé into this fight and is known for his wrestling and unpredictability. He hasn’t been knocked out since 2009 and won his last fight by submission. That fight came in 2023 against Sumudaerji. That fight was over 18 months ago and there will be questions about rust for Elliott going into this fight.
Kai Asakura has a lethal striking arsenal that brought him a ton of success in RIZIN. But it was not enough for him to win his UFC debut. That debut came against flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja. Asakura lost that fight in a second-round submission. But we won’t hold that loss against him given how good Pantoja has continued to look since then. Asakura is a heavy favorite going into this fight and could get his first UFC victory on Saturday night.
Betting Insights
- Asakura is a -325 favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook. DraftKings has made Elliott a +260 dog in this matchup.
- Oddsmakers have set the total for this fight at 2.5 rounds.
- Elliott’s last two fights have ended in submissions.
- Asakura has had three straight fights end inside the distance.
Tim Elliott vs Kai Asakura Prediction
Both of these fighters are going to try to win this fight in very different ways. Elliott is going to try and get Asakura to the ground and wear him down over the course of three rounds. Asakura is here for a good time and not a long time. He will be trying to secure a quick knockout using his striking skills.
Elliott can win if he can mask his entries, score early takedowns, and grind out rounds on top. But he will need to execute near-perfect timing on his takedowns unless Asakura makes a mistake that leads to a submission. The more likely outcome is for Asakura to land a big shot of some kind to get the win by knockout. I’ll bank on the Japanese fighter getting his first win as a member of the UFC roster.
