RIZIN returns with a double feature offer that includes Super RIZIN and RIZIN 38. Both events take place on Sunday, September 25 at Saitama Super Arena, Tokyo, Japan.
Super RIZIN Preview:
The first event is headlined by a boxing exhibition bout between Floyd Mayweather and RIZIN star Mikuru Asakura. The boxing great isn’t a stranger to this kind of thing as he entered the exhibition circuit to take on Tenshin Nasukawa at RIZIN 14. This time he will take on Asakura, who has striking and street fighting background.
During the press conference, Asakura was shoved by Mayweather’s bodyguard. Normally it would not be anything noticeable, but the aforementioned bodyguard will take on kickboxer Koji Takeda. This will be a special rules match, where ground fighting will not be an option.
RIZIN 38 Preview:
The second event will start after an hour-long intermission that will begin as soon as Super Rizin will conclude.
In the main event, Kyoji Horiguchi will make his RIZIN debut to take on DEEP and Pancrase veteran, Yuto Hokamura. Horiguchi is a reigning RIZIN and former Bellator bantamweight champion. He’s currently on a two-fight losing streak and looks for an opportunity to bounce back. Hokamura also suffered two consecutive losses so someone’s luck will change.
In the Super atomweight tournament semifinal bout Seika Izawa will take on Anastasiya Svetkivska. Izawa, who has an unblemished record of 7 – 0, shocked the world with her win over Ayaka Hamasaki. The Ukrainian fighter has an extended amateur background with her successes in the IMMAF circuit. She lost to Rena Kubota this summer, but was given a second chance due to a Japanese fighter’s injury.
In the second semifinal, the former Invicta champ Hamasaki will square off against the Korean, Si Woo Park.
Hiromasa Ogikubo, a Shooto Japan and The Ultimate Fighter alumni will take on former two-division ROAD FC champion, Soo Chul Kim.
The event will begin with a matchup between Wanderlei Silva’s protege Luiz Gustavo and DEEP veteran, Juri Ohara. The Brazilian has a 3 – 2 balance in the promotion, losing only to Asakura and Bellator title holder, Patricky Pitbull. Ohara currently enjoys an eight-fight winning streak.
Super RIZIN (Fite.tv – 11:00pm ET / 8:00pm PT) Results:
Boxing Exhibition: Floyd Mayweather def. Mikuru Asakura via Knockout (Right Hook), Round 2
Custom Rules Bout: Koji Takeda def. Ray Sadeghi via Knockout (Right Hook), Round 3
Kickboxing Match: Nadaka Yoshinari def. Bandasak So Trakunpet via TKO (Knee and Punches), Round 1
Kota Miura def. Bunchuai Phongsungnoen via Submission (Armbar), Round 1
RIZIN 38 (Fite.tv – 2:00am ET / 11:00pm PT) results:
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Yuto Hokamura via Submission (Arm – triangle Choke), Round 2
Super Atomweight Tournament Semifinals: Seika Izawa def. Anastasiya Svetkivska via Submission (Armbar), Round 3
Super Atomweight Tournament Semifinals: Si Woo Park def. Ayaka Hamasaki via Unanimous Decision
Soo Chul Kim def. Hiromasa Ogikubo via Unanimous Decision
Shoma Shibisai def. Cally Gibrainn de Oliveira via Submission (Rear-naked Choke), Round 1
Chihiro Suzuki def. Kyohei Hagiwara via Submission (Rear – naked Choke), Round 2
Luiz Gustavo def. Juri Ohara via Knockout (Punches and Kicks), Round 1
