Osaka - March 19th, RIZIN had weigh-ins for this Sunday’s RIZIN.34 card.
PPV
Price
US$24.99
SBC Shonan Beauty Clinic presents RIZIN.34 will be broadcasted LIVE on SkyperfectTV, streamed on RIZIN LIVE PPV and Exciting RIZIN with Japanese commentary. International PPV with English commentary will be available on LIVENow (https://www.live-now.com/ja-int/page/sign-up).
LiveNow commentary
Joe Ferraro(@JoeAFerraro)
Elliot Compton(@elliotcpt)
Sato Ryo vs Shun [60kg - RIZIN Kickboxing rules]
Ryo Sato (60.00kg)
Shun (59.85kg)
Masaya Jaki vs KOUTA [70kg - RIZIN Kickboxing rules]
Masaya Jaki (69.90kg)
“If I win this fight, I will thank my mother and confess to my grandmother that I have tattoos that I’ve hidden from her for 32 years.” ”I need this fight to end quickly because I have absolutely no stamina.”
Kouta (69.75kg)
“I started training at 25 years old because my father was a Karate sensei. Somehow I never got involved in martial arts until later. My passion was with Basketball. My father was getting old and I felt that I would have to take over what my father had done. Once I started I realized that I was actually really good.”
Yuma Yamahata vs Sho Ogawa [63kg - RIZIN Kickboxing rules]
Yuma Yamahata (63.00kg)
“My opponent and I share the rankings in RISE. He’s 1 rank above me so I feel this fight has more on the table than just a fight in RIZIN.” “I’m extremely motivated to get my first win in RIZIN in my hometown.”
Sho Ogawa (62.90kg)
“I think I need to put on a performance that stands out to get called by the big shows.” “My opponent is a southpaw but that’s about it. He doesn’t hold any threats against me.” “I’m an aggressive fighter and will not give my opponent any room to breathe so please keep an eye out.”
Ryuki vs Ayumu Yamamoto [63kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Ryuki (62.60kg)
“I’ve always been a big fan of MMA, and I’ve had some issues in kickboxing 2 years ago and that’s when I decided to make my transition into MMA. ” “I have no impression of my opponent but he looks pretty big.”
Ayumu Yamamoto (63.00kg)
“I know my opponent has a great record in kickboxing but I don’t think it will work against me.” “I took a great dump this morning so that means I’m ready to Judo throw some fool around.”
Jin Mandokoro vs Sato Syuto [53kg - RIZIN Kickboxing rules]
Jin Mandokoro (52.80kg)
“I had a good knockout in my last RIZIN fight, so I plan to show an even better performance in this fight.” “I hate the fact that RIZIN MMA fans don’t appreciate kickboxing. I can understand that kickboxing might be as exciting but I’m an exception. I will knock out my opponent like no MMA fighter can.”
Syuto Sato (52.90kg)
“Our fight will be at the lightest division in kickboxing so I would like to show the speed and power to put on exciting fights.” “I would like to challenge Nadaka Yoshinari, I’ve fought with elbows before so I would fight him with elbows.”
Yuuki Kasahara vs MOTOKI [61kg - RIZIN Kickboxing rules]
Yuuki Kasahara (60.90kg)
“My parent’s loved combat sports and I was taken to a gym against my will in first grade. I wanted to play soccer at the time.” “My brother had his first fight in Thailand when I was in 5th grade, he lost but it inspired me to become a professional fighter.”
Motoki (60.95kg)
“I was born to a martial arts family and trained several martial arts from a young age. Earned my professional boxing license during highschool.” “I have practiced several disciplines so I can change my style depending on the opponent.”
YUYA vs Yousuke Yamato [70kg - RIZIN Kickboxing rules]
Yuya (69.85kg)
“Started Karate at 6 years old because I was a wimp and my mother took me to Karate class, transitioned to kickboxing at 12 years old after being influenced by K-1.” “My opponent has a scary face and I’m not too excited to be facing him.”
Yousuke Yamato (69.80kg)
“I used to get into trouble a lot as a teenager, and found myself in juvenile hall. I knew I had to turn my life around and started kickboxing. This sport has changed my life. And I am truly grateful.” “I’ve always wanted to fight in RIZIN so I plan to make myself known using this opportunity.”
Ryuya Fukuda vs NavE [60kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Ryuya Fukuda (60.00kg)
“My father took me to Thailand for vacation when I was 13 years old. He introduced me to a muay thai gym, took off and left me there for 3 months. I had no money, didn’t speak Thai so I was forced to do what everybody else was doing. It was definitely a life changing experience.”
NavE (59.60kg)
“I started Judo from 7 because my mother wanted me to become manly” “Decided to transition to MMA at 19 after watching the Aoki vs Hansen fight in DREAM”
Tatsuki Saomoto vs Yuto Uda [57kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Tatsuki Saomoto (56.85kg)
“People say I’m on a good winning streak, but I really don’t think about it and I don’t let it bother me.” “I think I’m a sociopath because I never get moved by my teammates' fights, and I just don’t really care about their results.”
Yuto Uda (56.70kg)
“I want to be that guy who’s known for finishing fights. Flyweights are underlooked because of the lack of finishes. I want to change that.” “RIZIN’s current Flyweight roster sucks. They’re boring and I’m not surprised it’s an unpopular division in RIZIN. I’m here to become the new star.”
Alan Hiro Yamaniha vs Motonobu Tezuka [61kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Alan Hiro Yamaniha (60.85kg)
“I’ve fought him 8 years ago, but I’m a totally different fighter now. I was much greener back then and I am confident in my abilities now. I’ve always wanted this rematch.” “Tezuka likes to fight on the ground, but I have a plan for him there, and I can take him out on my feet.”
Motonobu Tezuka (60.90kg)
“Hiro’s known as the top 8 fighter in last year’s GP so I will show everybody that that tournament didn’t have the fight participants.” “I’ve been following all Youtuber’s predictions for this fight and it’s laughable of how little they know about me. Ignorance is a crime and I’m going to embarrass everybody who predicted against me.”
TAIGA vs Ryo Takahashi [61kg - RIZIN Kickboxing rules]
TAIGA (60.90kg)
“I’ve been getting really good training since changing gyms and my environment.” “I have studied my opponent for this fight but he doesn’t really have anything that stands out. I am very confident that I can walk through this guy with a solid finish.”
Ryo Takahashi (60.90kg)
“I wasn’t able to show anything in my first appearance so I want to put on a show that people will remember.” “My opponent used to be a big name and a threat, but he’s young but already past his prime.” ”I know the kickboxing fans are all focused on the co-main event but I hope me and TAIGA can put on the fight of the night.”
Juri Ohara vs AKIRA [71kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Juri Ohara (71.00kg)
“I haven’t fought for over 4 months now and I feel like I’ve been away from fighting for a long time.” “My opponent is built like a gorilla and he doesn’t have the skills. I’m sure he’s super strong but I’m not impressed with his striking.”
AKIRA (70.85kg)
“I know I’ve been saying that I will knock my opponent out cold leading up to my past 2 fights and haven't got a single knockout yet, which is quite embarrassing. So let me say this, I will knock out my opponent cold……… Maybe.” “ I know we’re both on a winning streak, and once has to go, but I’m not worried about that. I need to knock my opponent out cold, or at least somebody needs to get knocked out cold this time.”
Daichi Kitakata vs Yutaro Muramoto [57kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Daichi Kitakata (57.00kg)
“I let everybody down by withdrawing from a scheduled fight last year. Now that I’m healthy and ready to fight I feel obligated to use this given chance with my performance.” “Fighting in my home town is nice, but I prefer fighting in Tokyo because it’s a surreal experience. Like a little trip, staying in a hotel and all.”
Yutaro Muramoto (57.00kg)
“My opponent is stocky and physically strong and is very good at everything at close range. I want to stay outside and it will be intense everytime we interact.” “I’m not too worried about the year lay off because I’ve constantly been in the gym and have been training with the best in the region.”
Kiichi Kunimoto vs Daichi Abe [77kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Strasser Kiichi (76.85kg)
“It’s been about 10 years since I last fought in Osaka so I’m very motivated.” “My opponent is more of a striker and people think it’s going to be a grappler vs striker matchup. You wait and see what happens.”
Daichi Abe (76.90kg)
“I fought at Lightweight in my last fight but it wasn’t for me. I lost muscle and felt very weak. Today I feel so much stronger and healthier so I look forward to showing my true abilities.” “I want to get the win no matter how ugly it looks. I’m going to do everything it takes to get my hand raised.”
Daisuke Nakamura vs Sora Yamamoto [66kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Daisuke Nakamura (67.80kg)
“My opponent's father was part of the UWF International, a promotion I absolutely admired. I am very excited to be facing his son who has inherited everything from him.” “I’m 41 now and my style hasn’t changed at all. 100% offense and 0% defense. I’m having so much fun with what I will do and hopefully create a masterpiece with Yamamoto Jr while having a blast.”
Sora Yamamoto (67.70kg)
“I think we’re expected to showcase our grappling skills in this matchup. I feel like it’s my mission to show what my father has taught me, against a fighter like Nakamura.” “I am going in there to tell Nakamura that it’s time. He needs to pass on the torch to the new generation.” “Once he grabs a hold of the double wrist lock, that’s when the scramble will begin, and eventually I will be the one getting the submission. It’s something I’ve been taught and been doing since I was a little kid.”
Kouzi vs Genji Umeno [61kg - RIZIN Kickboxing rules]
Kouzi (61.00kg)
“Watch out for my headbutts, because that’s what this fight is all about and that’s what everybody is talking about.” “I have some plans, but right now I’m going to do my best to win the fight, and then open my mouth.”
Genji Umeno (61.00kg)
“2 men stepping in the ring to see who’s the stronger man. What I’m looking to do is very simple.” “I will be prepared for Kouzi’s rough style and his headbutts this time. The only way he can beat me is to rush in throwing hard shots, he has no way to win at my distance.”
Satoshi Yamasu vs Kyohei Hagiwara [66kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Satoshi Yamasu (65.70kg)
“Hagiwara has been calling me out but I don’t see the sincerity in him. Everything is all about him and his benefits. I plan to teach him some manners.” “My opponent is on a roll and he’s been improving every time he fights. It’s actually quite amazing. I thought he had no business in RIZIN when he first fought.” “I’m ready to show my back and run from him if he decides to blitz in on me.”
Kyohei Hagiwara (65.80kg)
“My opponent is unorthodox and I think it will take me some time to adjust to his style once I face him.” “Like I said in the presser I plan to dominate the dominator.” “I respect the fact that he works full time at the office, but I’m spending the time in the gym while he’s staring at a computer. I know I’m putting in more time into this sport than he is.” “I have a secret weapon ready. Stay tuned.”
Follow RIZIN FF
Website - http://www.rizinff.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rizinfightingfederation/
Twitter - @rizin_English
Twitter - @rizin_pr
Instagram – rizin_pr
TikTok – rizinffofficial