RIZIN 11 in Saitama has added three more bouts, including the previously reported Kanna Asakura vs. RENA rematch.
No big write-up on Kanna vs. RENA II here, though. Check out the previous report here. The bout has been confirmed, no official title confirmation as of yet, though.
We’re gonna focus on the two new bouts added to the card that were not previously reported.
Jiří Procházka vs. Bruno Cappelozza
First up, at light heavyweight, 25-year-old standout Jiří Procházka will return to the ring to take on former Jungle Fight and Demolidor Fight title-holder; Bruno Cappelozza.
Fighting out of the Czech Republic, Jiří Procházka (20-3-1) has been on a tear since losing to King Mo in the Finals of RIZIN Fighting Federation’s inaugural grand-prix. He rebounded with two-straight wins under the RIZIN banner in 2016, including a TKO over Japanese veteran Kazuyuki Fujita.
After suffering an injury in his UD win over Mark Tanios in September of 2016, Procházka sat on the shelf for just over a year. He made his return in the Czech-based promotion Fusion FN, quickly winning via TKO. This lead to him returning to RIZIN in September, finishing fellow prospect Karl Albrektsson with just three seconds remaining in round one.
Opposite him will be 29-year-old Brazilian; Bruno Cappelozza (9-4), a rep of Corinthians MMA.
While being one of eight heavyweights involved in RIZIN’s inaugural grand-prix, Cappelozza was knocked out of the tournament in the quarter-finals courtesy of Lithuania’s Teodoras Aukštuolis. This took place in December of 2015.
Since then he has only fought three times, however. This includes two title wins. Five months after the Aukštuolis loss, Cappelozza returned to Jungle Fight as a former champion. He won the vacant light heavyweight title with a third-round knockout vs. Klidson Faria.
He returned to the cage 15-months later, this time in Demolidor Fight. Winning their vacant light heavyweight title with a 7-seconds KO. He last appeared on the Brazilian regional scene in October, stopping Lucas Rosa.
When the two big men meet at RIZIN 11, it’s a battle of dangerous strikers. It is worth noting that Procházka was reportedly set to return to heavyweight at this event against Mirko Cro Cop before an injury forced Cro Cop out of Bellator 200, and seemingly RIZIN 11.
Saori Ishioka vs. Miyuu Yamamoto
At women’s atomweight, ‘Shooting Star’ Saori Ishioka will make her RIZIN return vs. the 43-year-old Miyuu Yamamoto.
At just 30-years-old, Saori Ishioka (15-11) is incredibly battle-tested when it comes to MMA. Having fought some of the best fighters her division has to offer. Since losing to Seo Hee Ham in late 2014, she has exchanged wins and losses in both DEEP JEWELS and RIZIN.
Throughout 2017, Ishioka went 1-1. She made her RIZIN debut in April and quickly submitted Bestare Kicaj. Four months later she returned to DEEP JEWELS in a bout co-promoted with RIZIN. Ishioka faced Kanna Asakura at DEEP JEWES 17, with the winner earning their spot in the future RIZIN Atomweight Grand-Prix.
Asakura won the fight via unanimous decision. She, of course, then went on to win the RIZIN Grand-Prix.
Opposite her will be a great 43-year-old wrestler in the form of Miyuu Yamamoto (1-3), fighting out of the coveted KRAZY BEE gym as one of the many fighters in the extensive Yamamoto family.
After transitioning to MMA so late in life just two years ago, Yamamoto dropped two-straight. Losing via first-round submission to both RENA and former KOTC title-holder Andy Nguyen.
She took seven months off after losing to Nguyen, returning in July of 2017 and picking up her first win as a pro as she dominated Cassie Robb en route to a unanimous decision win. She returned in October to compete in the quarter-finals of RIZIN’s Atomweight Grand-Prix, losing yet again by submission. This time against Spain’s Irene Cabello.
Yamamoto has fought for RIZIN exclusively thus far. And, given her age, it wouldn’t be shocking to see that trend continue until she retires. A tough task lies ahead in the form of Saori Ishioka.
RIZIN 11 goes down on July 29, live from the famed Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Check out the announced card below. Expect more to be announced in the near future.
Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Hiromasa Ogikubo II
Kanna Asakura vs. RENA II
Jiří Procházka vs. Bruno Cappelozza
Saori Ishioka vs. Miyuu Yamamoto
Tenshin Nasukawa vs. TBA
