Asakura (21-4) might not be as well known in the States, but fans love him over in Japan, where Asakura reigned as RIZIN's bantamweight champion. It's the best in the east vs. the best in the west, and Pantoja's sure getting his flowers for fighting whoever the UFC puts in front of him.

Shavkat Rakhmonov, who earned $856,000 at UFC 296 for defeating Stephen Thompson, could also see a substantial purse. Ian Machado Garry, currently earning $75,000 per fight in the UFC, might receive a higher payday for this PPV event. Additionally, fighters like Rakhmonov could boost their earnings through performance bonuses.

UFC flyweight title challenger Kai Asakura doesn't envision Alexandre Pantoja posing problems for him in any department this weekend.