Tofiq Musaev vs Roberto Souza for vacant lightweight belt at Rizin 28

Tofiq Musaev vs Roberto Souza is set to go down in less than two weeks for the vacant Rizin FF lightweight title.

This contest emanates from the Tokyo Dome and goes down on Sunday, June 13th. Rizin Fighting Federation have been broadcasting a round of press conferences as of late. They have made even more exciting bout announcements for their upcoming Rizin 28 card.

Some were concerned about travel restrictions in Japan impeding this contest between Musaev and Souza. But the wheels are presently well in motion for this championship bout.

Tofiq Musaev and Vugar Keramov have already entered the country and are currently in quarantine

— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) June 1, 2021

The 71 KG world championship is the sought-after prize between two of Rizin’s most accomplished 155 pounders. The stylistic elements of each combatant and past performances would indicate that this fight could likely be an absolute barnburner.

With Rizin legalizing elbows to the face without angle restrictions, per the Rizin FF English Twitter account, it adds yet another intriguing tendril to one of the most high-octane fights you can book in Rizin regardless of divisional restriction.

Tofiq Musaev vs Roberto Souza

Musaev’s last outing saw him win the Rizin FF Lightweight World Grand Prix. Tofiq Musaev conquered Patricky Pitbull in the finals via unanimous decision at Rizin 20 in December 2019.

After starting his career at 4-3, he is now 18-3 in his overall MMA career and heads into this title bid riding a 14 fight win streak.

Tofiq Musaev had been serving in the Azerbaijan army since winning the Grand Prix on New Year’s Eve around a year and a half ago.

Roberto Souza is 11-1 in his MMA career so far and is stepping into the ring at Rizin 28 on the heels of back-to-back wins.

He last bested Kazuki Tokudome via a first-round triangle choke in his last outing. This transpired less than two minutes into the March matchup at Rizin 27.

Who gets their hand raised when Tofiq Musaev vs Roberto Souza vie for Rizin FF lightweight gold?

Dylan Bowker

I've been enamored with combat sports for as long as I can remember. I've hosted MMA talk shows Lights Out and Pure Fight Radio with featured guests like Jens Pulver, Roy Nelson, Miesha Tate, Mark Coleman, and more. I've been an MMA broadcaster for XFFC as well as BTC and have done play by play commentary on live pay per view on GFL as well as FITE TV. I've provided written, audio, and video content covering some of the biggest MMA promotions like Rumble in the Cage, Unified MMA, and King of the Cage. I've worked as a sports entertainment personality for over five years and given play-by-play or featured promotions of KSW, ONE Championship, TKO, and Invicta FC. My work can be found in the USA Today Sports affiliate MMA Torch, Cageside Press, MMA Sucka, and Liberty Multimedia.

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