Rizin 28 looks to finally go down without any hitches. Originally supposed to take place last month, but then postponed due to Japan’s state of the emergency response to the pandemic, Rizin 28 will happen June 13 at the Tokyo Dome. We will see the inaugural lightweight champion crowned, a kickboxer making his MMA debut, a three-person gauntlet co-main event, and a main event that could decide the next number one contender at featherweight.
Mikuru Asakura vs Kleber Koike
Rizin’s most popular MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura will look to get back in the title picture. But the submission master Kleber Koike looks to become the next contender. Photo courtesy of Rizin FF.
In what is likely going to produce the next contender to challenge Yutaka Saito for his Rizin featherweight championship. Mikuru Asakura (14-2) suffered his first loss in Rizin against Saito to crown the first FW champion. It was a close fight but with a win against Kleber Koike (27-5-1), he is likely to get a second chance. But Koike looks to stop Asakuru’s return to contention. The Bonsai Jiu-Jitsu fighter and former KSW featherweight champion has two fights in Rizin but both were submission wins. Expext an incredible styles clash in this main event.
Tenshin Nasukawa vs Koki Osaki/Hiroya/X
Rizin 28 won’t just have regular MMA matches. Tenshin Nasukawa returns in a boxing gauntlet match. Photo courtesy of Rizin FF.
In what is a bizarre, not sure what to make of it match, undefeated kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa (41-0, 30 KOs) returns in a boxing gauntlet match. There are special rules attached to his match which include no kicks. The Superman punch and spinning backfist is allowed. It will be 1 round for 3 minutes. per opponent. The 3 knockdown rule will be adhered to. However, if Tenshin should suffer a stoppage, the fight is over. No second or third opponent.
Tenshin’s first opponent is 21-year-old kickboxing champion Koki Osaki (24-5 1NC, 15 KOs). He is the Battle of Muay Thai 2021 bantamweight champion. After that is former K-1 kickboxer Hiroya (33-17, 20 KOs). He most recently lost to Youtube pro wrestler Shibatar in a mixed rules match. Then X is…. who knows? A number of names have been thrown out there from Shibatar to Masato to Naoya Inoue. Maybe it’s Rena. She was supposed to have a match at this show.
Tofiq Muayev vs Roberto “Satoshi” Souza
Rizin LW GP winner Tofiq Musayev returns after a long layoff to take BJJ wizard Roberto “Satoshi” Souza to crown the first LW champion. Photo courtesy of Rizin FF.
Rizin will crown their first lightweight champion at Rizin 28. Azerbaijan’s Tofiq Musayev (18-3) will take on BJJ black belt Roberto “Satoshi” Souza (11-1). Musayev took a long layoff from competitive MMA to serve in the Azerbijan military in its conflict against Armenia. Musayev won the Rizin lightweight Grand Prix where he defeated Johnny Case, Damien Brown, and Patricky Pitbull to become the winner. Souza has finished all his wins in Rizin by TKO or submission. This is an intriguing stylistic matchup that promises to definitely not go the distance.
Other Fights
Additionally, this card will see Rise kickboxing champion “Black Panther” BeyNoah make his MMA debut against Satoshi “Dominator” Yamasu (11-6). Rizin featherweight champion Yutaka Saito (19-4-2) will take on Vugar Karamov (15-3) in a non-title match. Heavyweights will clash when former sumo Tsuyoshi Sudario (3-0) takes on Shoma Shibisai (6-2). There is also the start of the bantamweight Grand Prix. You can check out a separate preview for that here.
You can check out Rizin 28 on LiveNow with English commentary here.
Follow along with MMASucka as we provide you with the results throughout Rizin 28.
Start time on LIVENow (2:30 a.m. ET/11:30 p.m. PT)
Kleber Koike def Mikuru Asakura via submission (triangle choke) in 1:51 in Round 2
(Custom rules bout)Tenshin Nasukawa vs Hideo Tokoro went to a no contest
(Custom rules bout) Tenshin Nasukawa vs Hiroya went to a no contest
(Custom rules bout) Tenshin Nasukawa vs Koki Osaki went to a no contest
Roberto “Satoshi” Souza def Tofiq Musayev for the inaugural Rizin lightweight championship via submission (triangle choke) in 1:12 in Round 1
1st Round Rizin bantamweight Grand Prix: Kai Asakura def Shooto Watanabe via TKO (strikes) in 3:22 in Round 1
1st Round Rizin bantamweight Grand Prix: Naoki Inoue def Shintaro Ishiwatari via TKO (punches and soccer kick) in 1:58 in Round 1
1st Round Rizin bantamweight Grand Prix: Hiromasa Ougikubo def Takeshi Kasugai via unanimous decision
1st Round Rizin bantamweight Grand Prix: Yuki Motoya def Ryo Okada via unanimous decision
(Non-title match) Yutaka Saito (c) def. Vugar Karamov via split decision
Shoma Shibisai def Tsuyoshi Sudario via submission (rear-naked choke) in 1:38 in Round 3
Satoshi “Dominator” Yamasu def. “Black Panther” BeyNoah via split decision
