RIZIN 11 continues to get even better with the addition of an absolute banger in the lightweight division.
Japanese MMA legend Takanori Gomi will head to the RIZIN ring for the second time when he takes on kickboxing legend Andy Souwer in Saitama.
The promotion announced the fantastic bout via press conference in Japan.
Takanori Gomi (35-15, 1NC) returns to RIZIN not only looking to secure his first win in the organization but first win in well over four years.
After besting Isaac Vallie-Flagg in UFC 172’s Fight of the Night, Gomi closed out his UFC run with five-straight defeats. All of which came via first-round finish. He signed with RIZIN in late 2017 and was immediately put into the deep end of the promotion’s young lightweight division.
He was given streaking young-gun Yusuke Yachi. Despite finally showing some glimpses of old-school Fireball Kid early, Yachi finished the fight with a triangle choke in less than three minutes.
Opposite him will be a bonafide kickboxing legend in the form of Andy Souwer.
After tearing through the kickboxing scene for well over a decade, Andy Souwer (2-3) decided to try his hand at MMA, signing with RIZIN Fighting Federation in 2015 to make his debut. The Dutch striking sensation easily dispatched of fellow striker Yuichiro Nagashima in his debut. He even showed some groundwork, dominating from half guard and landing grounded knees, soccer kicks, and stomps throughout before a brutal finish late in round one.
Since then, however, Souwer hasn’t had the best luck. Dropping two-straight via submission to Daron Cruickshank and Kazuyuki Miyata. In mid-2017, Souwer competed in MMA outside of RIZIN for the first time. Defeating fellow countryman Massaro Glunder by submission at a WFL show in the Netherlands.
He returned to RIZIN in October of last year and was dominated on the mat by Akiyo Nishiura.
At RIZIN 11, Gomi and Souwer compete in a surefire slugfest. Both men are in huge need of a win.
RIZIN 11 will take over the Saitama Super Arena on July 29. The main event features a flyweight rematch between Kyoji Horiguchi and Hiromasa Ogikubo.
Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Hiromasa Ogikubo II
Kanna Asakura vs. RENA II
Takanori Gomi vs. Andy Souwer
Tenshin Nasukawa vs. TBA
Jiri Prochazka vs. Bruno Cappelozza
Miyuu Yamamoto vs. Saori Ishioka
