Photo via Rizin FF press release
Rizin 28 presser announced and Rizin 29 fights added
Earlier today (May 29th), there was a Rizin 28 presser announced. The promotion also announced a pair of extra contests for the RIZIN 29 card. Plus, Rizin FF relays details on the international pay-per-view stream for these showcases.
The English language streams of these Rizin shows broadcast via the LIVENow app.
Former DEEP Flyweight Champion Yusaku Nakamura (16-8-1, 1-2 RFF) tests skills against Daichi Kitakata (20-10-1 [2 NC], 0-1 RFF).
Kitakata is a former champion in his own right having been the Pancrase Strawweight Champion. He dethroned long-reigning titlist Mitsuhisa Sunabe. Yusaku Nakamura is seeking his first Rizin FF win during this sophomore outing. He dropped a unanimous decision to surging ZST Flyweight Champion, Tatsuki Saomoto last November at RIZIN 25.
Nakamura’s last prizefight also saw him taste defeat to Saomoto at RIZIN 23 last September.
The two combatants have a combined 17 finishes (13 KOs). 5 of them transpiring in the first frame of the fight.
Nakada Yoshinari (35-5-1, 20 KOs) is n a collision course with Chikai (3-1). Yoshinari is carving a swath through competition through this 9-fight unbeaten streak; winning 2 bouts by KO in the RIZIN ring.
He challenges for the WBC Muay Thai Diamond Super Flyweight title in September this year. He has already claimed the inaugural Battle of Muay Thai Flyweight title, Rajadamnern Stadium and Lumpinee Boxing Stadium titles.
Chikai has a myriad of Muay Thai experiences too and this one looks like a barnburner bout, on paper.
Rizin 28 presser
Fighter Quotes
Yusaku Nakamura
“Hi RIZIN fans, it’s been a while. I am surprised that the event got postponed, I got the offer, IN MY HOME TOWN. Talk about being lucky lol. My opponent is a very tough guy. But I will make sure that I am the type of guy that capitalizes on opportunities. Look forward to a speedy Flyweight battle.”
Daichi Kitakata
“I can’t get over the fact that my previous performance stressed out everybody who supported me. And I was waiting for the opportunity to redeem myself so this offer meant everything to me! I’m very excited to battle it out with the striking specialist Nakamura. And I promise you a finish in this fight! I want to make a statement in the RIZIN Flyweight division which lacks in star power at the moment.”
Nadaka Yoshinari
“I am very grateful for all those involved who worked hard to get me this opportunity during hard times. My opponent is a very tough opponent who has a belt in muay Thai. But I hope to show my skills in every move and win this fight. I hope to inspire many people during these dark times so please look forward to my fight.”
Chikai
“I am very thankful for this opportunity on such a big stage against a big name. Would like to make my organization NJKF proud with my performance. I am a fighter who fights with heart. So I will continue to press forward and get into a firefight with my opponent. I would like to use this opportunity to take all the glory from Yoshinari.”
【Rizin 28 Confirmed Bouts】
66kg RIZIN MMA Rules – Mikuru Asakura vs Kleber Koike
61kg RIZIN MMA Rules – Kai Asakura vs Shooto Watanabe
Shintaro Ishiwatari vs Naoki Inoue
Hiromasa Ougikubo vs Kenta Takizawa
Yuki Motoya vs Ryo Okada
【Rizin 29 Confirmed Bouts】
61kg RIZIN MMA Rules – Takafumi Otsuka vs ‘Shian’ Hiroki Yamashita
Kenta Takizawa vs Masakazu Imanari
Kazuma Kuramoto vs Alan Yamaniha
Yuto Hokamura vs Kuya Ito
66kg RIZIN MMA Rules – Rikuto Shirakawa vs Jin Aoi
71kg RIZIN MMA Rules – Yusuke Yachi vs Yuki Kawana
57kg RIZIN MMA Rules – Yusaku Nakamura vs Daichi Kitakata
52kg RIZIN Kickboxing Rules with Elbows – Nadaka Yoshinari vs Chikai
61kg RIZIN Kickboxing Rules – TBD vs TBD (Rizin KICK Tournament Final)
Koji vs Genji Umeno (Rizin KICK Tournament Semi Final)
Taiju Shiratori vs Ryo Takahashi (Rizin KICK Tournament Semi Final)
57kg RIZIN Kickboxing Rules – Seiki Ueyama vs Jyosei Izumi
Catchweight RIZIN Kickboxing Rules – Yuma Yamahata vs Kiyoto Takahashi
