RIZIN Combating Federation will shut the yr with a extremely anticipated featherweight title rematch between champion Chihiro Suzuki and former titleholder Kleber Koike, the corporate introduced Tuesday.
RIZIN DECADE will happen on the Saitama Tremendous Enviornment in Saitama, Japan, on Dec. 31, and air stay by its personal pay-per-view platform. Suzuki vs. Koike will function the principle occasion.
Koike (33-7-1, 1 no contest) was the 145-pound champion when he first scheduled to face Suzuki contained in the ring in June of 2023, however misplaced the title on the dimensions after lacking weight. Per RIZIN guidelines, an obese fighter can’t win a bout, so his first-round submission victory over Suzuki was routinely overturned to a no-contest.
The Brazilian veteran, a former KSW champion as effectively, received his previous two with first-round finishes over Yutaka Saito and Juan Archuleta to earn a crack on the belt that now belongs to Suzuki.
Suzuki (13-3, 1 no contest) received three in a row since his match with Koike, scoring an enormous upset towards Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull earlier than claiming RIZIN gold with a fast knockout over Vugar Karamov. Suzuki final defended his belt with a first-round knockout towards veteran Masanori Kanehara.
The 25-year-old Japanese was anticipated to face Manny Pacquiao in a three-round boxing exhibition, however was later changed by kickboxing veteran Rukiya Anpo. The bout resulted in a draw.
RIZIN has but to announce different match-ups for the cardboard, however MMA Combating has realized that undefeated welterweight Igor Tanabe is anticipated to be a part of the cardboard. The 5-0 grappler was scheduled to face Marcos Yoshio de Souza at RIZIN Landmark 10 on Nov. 17, however Souza was pressured of the match as a consequence of an damage.
