First matches set for Rizin 34

Rizin 34 is scheduled for March 20th, Maruzen Intec Arena in Osaka. In the main event in a featherweight clash, Kyohei Hagiwara will take on Satoshi Yamasu.

At today’s press conference RIZIN CEO, Nobuyuki Sakakibara announced a fight card consisting of Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing matchups, four each.

Hagiwara has a 6 – 4 Professional MMA record and is riding a two-fight winning streak and won four out of five his last fights. The loss is a decision defeat to Mikuru Asakura at the premier RIZIN Landmark event.

Yamasu is a former Deep Featherweight champion with a 12 – 6 MMA record. He won his last fight by a split decision at Rizin 28. Like his opponent, he also has lost to Asakura.

Two bantamweights will square off as Alan Yamaniha will face Motonobu Tezuka, who is a UFC alumnus and Japanese MMA circuit veteran coming strong on a six-fight winning streak.

Two UFC will meet with Kiichi Kunimoto taking on Daichi Abe. In the flyweight division, Daichi Kitakata will fight Yutaro Muramoto.

Sakakibara also talked about Kyoji Horiguchi’s status, stating that the current RIZIN Bantamweight champion will fight no sooner than in the first round of the Bellator Bantamweight Grand Prix. That being said, Sakakibara said that he’s in contact with Bellator President, Scott Coker and RIZIN is willing to host the tournament’s opening round, including Horiguchi’s match if Japan’s authorities would lift the travelling ban to the country.