Japanese promotion RIZIN FF is returning to action in August with a double-header in Yokohama and a pair of title fights already booked.
RIZIN FF 22 and RIZIN FF 23 – dubbed “Starting Over” and “Calling Over” respectively – will take place at the Pia Arena in Yokohoma. The events will take place with fans in attendance, with the arena operating at 50% capacity to allow for social distancing.
The headline fight of the weekend will see [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag] take on [autotag]Hiromasa Ogikubo[/autotag] for the vacant bantamweight title. The fight represents Asakura’s second consecutive shot at the bantamweight bout after he was knocked out by Manel Kape in their battle for the vacant belt at RIZIN FF 20. Kape has since departed RIZIN to join the UFC, leaving the title up for grabs once again, and Asakura is determined to take full advantage.
He’ll take on 33-year-old Ogikubo, who defeated Shintaro Ishiwatari via split decision in a thriller at RIZIN FF 20 to position himself for a shot at the title. The former Shooto flyweight champion and finalist of The Ultimate Fighter Season 24 “Tournament of Champions” is now competing 10 pounds heavier and hoping to capture the RIZIN title in only his third fight for the promotion.
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Set to star at RIZIN FF 22 is Brazilian grappler [autotag]Roberto Satoshi Souza[/autotag], who will take on the [autotag]Yachi Yusuke[/autotag] in a lightweight showcase bout.
Souza’s last MMA outing saw hm finished by America’s Johnny Case in the first round of their quarterfinal clash in the RIZIN lightweight grand prix. He has since showcased his submission skills in a one-versus-five elimination challenge at RIZIN FF 21.
Now he returns to action against Yusuke, who rebounded from a three-fight skid with a resounding soccer-kick KO victory over Hrito Uesako at the co-promoted Bellator 237 event in Saitama last December.
RIZIN FF 22 bouts include:
- Robert Satoshi Souza vs. Yusuke Yachi
- Kanna Asakura vs. Mizuki Furuse
- Naokei Inoue vs. Shooto Watanabe
- Tetsuya Seki vs. Yojiro Uchimura
RIZIN FF 23 bouts include:
- Kai Asakura vs. Hromasa Ogikubo
- Yuki Motoya vs. Mamoru Uoi
- Kazumasa Majima vs. Yuyaka Saito
- Seiichiro Ito vs. Makoto Takahashi