Tim Elliott expresses excitement for his matchup against Kai Asakura at UFC 319, acknowledging that it allows him to fight on the Pay-Per-View card. He reflects on his extensive experience in the UFC before and after USADA. Asakura, a former title challenger from RIZIN, struggled in his first UFC bout partly due to unfamiliarity with the cage. Elliott appreciates the cultural exchange stemming from facing a popular international opponent and is prepared for a high-level contest without overly focusing on the differences between a cage and a ring.
I'm super happy about the match-up. I was in the UFC before USADA, and I'm in the UFC after USADA. So I've fought on the big stages, on small stages, but honestly, fighting Kai is getting me a chance to be on the Pay-Per-View portion [of UFC 319]. I'm only fighting on the Pay-Per-View part because I'm fighting Kai. So I owe him a little bit for that.
Asakura is a former title challenger himself, getting an immediate title shot against Alexandre Pantoja upon arriving in the UFC from RIZIN late last year. The fight did not go the Japanese star's way, something he in part blamed on being unfamiliar with fighting in a cage.
I expect him to be the best version of himself that there is. I don't put too much emphasis on the cage versus ring comparison. It's totally different I suppose. I've never been in a ring before, but it's going to take more than one fight to get accustomed.
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