Kai Asakura hears the criticism loud and clear, and he’s trying to channel it properly.<\/p>\n
At UFC 319<\/a>, Asakura (21-6 MMA, 0-2 UFC) was submitted for the second time in as many fights since coming over to the promotion from RIZIN.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n “I’m truly sorry to everyone who supported me,” Asakura wrote Monday on Instagram in Japanese. “Honestly, I’m disappointed in myself. Things don’t always go as planned, but I won’t give up and will keep working hard to get back on track.<\/p>\n “I’ll become stronger and prove it with results so that I can someday look back on this loss as a positive experience. I’ll accept harsh criticism and come back stronger.”<\/p>\n Asakura, 31, is one of Japan’s biggest combat sports stars but has struggled in the UFC. He debuted in a title fight in December and lost to Alexandre Pantoja<\/a> by second-round submission. Then on Saturday in Chicago, longtime flyweight staple Tim Elliott upset Asakura<\/a>, also by second-round submission.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Prior to his UFC signing, Asakura held RIZIN gold. Notable wins included Kyoji Horiguchi and Juan Archuleta among others.<\/p>\n