As a somewhat late addition to the upcoming RIZIN 13 press conference, it has been revealed that three more stars join the line-up.
Pancrase Strawweight Champion; Mitsuhisa Sunabe, Kai Asakura, and DEEP Strawweight Champion; Haruo Ochi will all be present at the event. This according the always reliable Kakutogi.
【RIZIN】8月24日(金) 18:30から行われる「RIZIN 重大発表記者会見」の追加登壇選手が発表された。朝倉海、砂辺光久、越智晴雄が参加する。すでに堀口恭司、那須川天心、浜崎朱加、黒部三奈、中村優作、原口健飛の出席が決定。なおファン150名限定の観覧招待は、応募者多数のため募集締切となっている pic.twitter.com/5tBKNXnxEX
— ゴング格闘技 (@GONG_KAKUTOGI) August 23, 2018
At 39-years-old, Mitsuhisa Sunabe (29-7-4) is on the best run of his long career. The Strawweight King of Pancrase has won 16-straight, all within the Pancrase banner. Sunabe is a true Pancrase legend, dating back to 2001.
He competed in RIZIN once last December. But, instead of an MMA fight in which he typically thrives, he was placed into a kickboxing bout. Losing to fellow MMA fighter Yamato Fujita. Now, it seems as though RIZIN fans will have a chance to see Sunabe do what he does best under mixed martial arts rules.
From flying knees and vicious elbows to wild slam knockouts, be excited about Misuhisa Sunabe.
After not being able to fight Topnoi at RIZIN 11 due to injury, it appears as though Kai Asakura (10-1) is ready to step in the ring once again at RIZIN 13.
A former defending The Outsider Champion, Asakura has dazzled the RIZIN audience with a 2-0 record in the promotion. Making his debut and starching Kizaemon Saiga in brutal fashion before besting Manel Kape in a three-round war at RIZIN 10 back in May.
As a veteran of two of Japan’s premier mixed martial arts organizations – DEEP and Shooto – Haruo Ochi (17-7-1) seems to be making his way to RIZIN FF for their September show.
He does so with five-straight wins, and the DEEP Strawweight Title around his waist.His current streak includes dominant showings against Kosuke Suzuki and Yuya Shibata.
The RIZIN 13 press conference is set to go down tonight/into the early hours of Friday morning, depending where you are. So we will get everything cleared up very soon.
They join the likes of Kyoji Horiguchi, Tenshin Nasukawa, Mina Kurobe, and Ayaka Hamasaki.
Despite no bouts between these new additions having been announced, it is safe to assume Mitsuhisa Sunabe will be facing Haruo Ochi in a champion vs. champion clash. But we will find out soon.
What we know about the card so far: Ayaka Hamasaki will fight Mina Kurobe, Ōsunaarashi will reportedly face Bob Sapp. The RIZIN Kick Tournament will also kick off. No match-ups announced as of yet, but Tenshin Nasukawa and Kento Haraguchi are confirmed names, with Kyoji Horiguchi all-but confirmed as well.
