Mikuru Asakura faces Takeshi Lion at ‘RIZIN: Yarennoka!’
The Asakura Brothers are back, and they will be fighting on the same card once again.
As Kai looks for revenge against Jae Hoon Moon, his brother Mikuru Asakura will take on Shooto legend Takeshi “Lion” Inoue.
Takeshi Inoue vs. Mikuru Asakura
Known as one of the most exciting do-or-die fighters in Shooto’s storied history, Takeshi “Lion” Inoue (24-11) in a 15-year veteran of the sport who specializes in the art of judo. After winning the 2004 Shooto Lightweight Tournament, Inoue went on to become a two-time Shooto Lightweight Champion within the organization.
He holds victories over Caol Uno, Antonio Carvalho, Rumina Sato, and Cole Miller, to name a few. Aside from a two-year break from 2016 to 2018, and going 1-1 since returning this year, “Lion” has remained relatively active over the years. His best moment to many was the 2011 DREAM headkick KO win over Caol Uno.
Mikuru Asakura (8-1, 1NC) will look to spoil the RIZIN debut of the 38-year-old “Lion” by way of vicious knockout. The heavy-handed 26-year-old hopes to take out yet another Shooto legend in the form of Takeshi Inoue after starching Hatsu Hioki a few months back at RIZIN 12.
The former two-division champion of The Outsider fought unknown Kazakh knockout-artist Karshyga Dautbek at RIZIN 13 back in September. It wasn’t easy, but the Japanese striker outpointed his opponent to win his second-straight under the RIZIN banner.
‘RIZIN: Yarennoka!’ will take place on NYE in Japan and act as a precursor to the stacked RIZIN 14 card. The main event of ‘Yarennoka!’ sees legends face-off as Tatsuya Kawajiri takes on Satoru Kitaoka.
Also on the card will be a pair of rematches. Kai Asakura looks to get revenge on Jae Hoon Moon, a man who knocked him out cold last year. And Kana Watanabe looks to repeat against Shizuka Sugiyama. Kickboxing action will also be seen.
This all before the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Tenshin Nasukawa, Kyoji Horiguchi, Darrion Caldwell, Kanna Asakura, Ayaka Hamasaki, and so much more take to the ring at RIZIN 14.
