Cooper Albers previews Kai Asakura vs. Cameron Smotherman at UFC Macau.
The bantamweight division is getting busy this weekend. Serving as an appetizer to Saturday’s main event between Song Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo, former title challenger Kai Asakura will face Cameron Smotherman at UFC Macau.
Asakura (21–6, 0–2 UFC) is still searching for his first UFC win since arriving from Rizin, coming off a second-round submission loss to Tim Elliott in August 2025. Smotherman (12–6, 1–2 UFC) has faltered following a strong Octagon debut, dropping back-to-back decisions — most recently against Ricky Simon in June 2025.
Asakura enters as a strong -298 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. Smotherman is a +240 underdog, with the total set at O/U 2.5 rounds.
The Octagon has not been kind to Kai Asakura — though he may have been competing in the wrong division. The two-time Rizin bantamweight champion was fast-tracked into a flyweight title fight upon his arrival in December 2024, suffering a second-round submission against then-champ Alexandre Pantoja. He suffered the same fate in his follow-up bout against grizzled veteran Tim Elliott in August 2025.
Moving back up to his natural weight of 135 pounds, the Japanese former top prospect remains a formidable threat in MMA’s flagship promotion. Asakura, 32, holds a black belt in Zendo-Kai karate and a purple belt in jiu-jitsu, underscoring his well-rounded skillset. He heads into Saturday night with a 76% career finish rate, including 13 knockouts, three submissions, and 12 first-round stoppages.
Cameron Smotherman is eager to flip the script on his UFC career. After an impressive Octagon debut — a short-notice upset decision win over Jake Hadley in October 2024 — the “Baby-Faced Killa” went winless in two fights in 2025. He dropped a decision to fellow prospect Serhiy Sidey last May before falling to longtime veteran Ricky Simon in June.
Making matters worse, Smotherman made headlines in January when he collapsed at the UFC 324 official weigh-ins, forcing the cancellation of his scheduled bout with Ricky Turcios.
The Houston native, 28, is a former Fury FC bantamweight champion with six knockouts, one submission, and a pair of first-round finishes on his resume. The talent is evident — but Saturday night presents yet another steep hill to climb.
Asakura heads into UFC Macau with a strong chance to notch his first Octagon win — now competing at his natural weight against a prospect whose rise has already hit turbulence. The Japanese contender’s Rizin tenure could prove the difference, highlighting a distinct experience gap between the two. Asakura has the tools to finish the job inside the distance.
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