On September 6th (Tuesday), a press conference was held in Tokyo to announce an additional matchups for SUPER RIZIN & Shonan Beauty Clinic presents RIZIN.38.
At the press conference, CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara, Seika Izawa, Ayaka Hamasaki, Siu Park, Hiromasa Ogikubo, Kintaro, Juri Ohara, Nadaka Yoshinari, Kouta Miura, and Shoma Shibisai were on stage. Kyoji Horiguchi attended the conference remotely from Florida.
In addition to the bouts announced at the Hawaii presser last week, CEO Sakakibara officially announced two bouts for the second round of the Super Atomweight GP, as well as Kota Miura vs. Bunchuai Phonsungnoen.
The winners of the first round of the Super Atomweight Grand Prix setup exciting matchups - Seika Izawa vs. RENA and Ayaka Hamasaki vs. Park Si Woo - they had never faced each other before, but it was announced that RENA would be withdrawing from the tournament due to an orbital bone injury. She will be out of action for 2 months.
Following RENA's withdrawal, Izawa's opponent was decided to be Anastasia Sveckiska, who put up a spirited performance against RENA in the first round of the tournament. A win for Izawa would set her up for a rematch against the winner of Park vs Hamasaki. Both of the semifinalists across from Izawa are hungry for revenge, but Izawa must hold up her end as champion and favorite to win it all for either of those matchups to occur.
Bantamweight Champion Kyoji Horiguchi’s first RIZIN bout in nearly 2 years since he defeated Kai Asakura at RIZIN.26 sees him take on former Pancrase Bantamweight title challenger Kintaro. Surprisingly he has lost his last 2 bouts, and is looking to get back to winning ways in the RIZIN ring. Despite Horiguchi being a heavy favorite, Kintaro always brings the fight to his opponents, win or lose.
Hiromasa Ougikubo, whose match with Kim Soo Chul had already been announced, attended the press conference for the first time after the card was announced. When he was asked to comment, he said, "Kim Soo-Cheol has won seven straight games against Japanese fighters, so I want to win and show the strength of the Japanese fighters.” Can Ougikubo, who won the Bantamweight Japan Grand Prix on New Year's Eve last year, show the strength of the Japanese as declared against Kim, the ROAD FC champion in Korea?
Juri Ohara is riding the longest win streak of his career at 9 wins, with 3 of them coming in the RIZIN ring as well as defending his DEEP Lightweight title. He will face Luis Gustavo. In what promises to be a barn burner matchup between two strikers, Ohara is eyeing up RIZIN’s Lightweight title. Can the DEEP Champion follow in Juntaro Ushiku’s footsteps and unify the RIZIN & DEEP titles?
Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Kintaro [61kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Kyoji Horiguchi
“I’m looking forward to fighting in front of the Japanese fans once again.”
Kintaro
“You guys shouldn’t blink from the opening round. I’ll shut all of you up.”
Hiromasa Ougikubo vs. Kim Soo Chul [61kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Hiromasa Ougikubo
“I’m happy to fight after a long layoff. Soo Chul Kim is currently undefeated against Japanese fighters for 7 fights. I plan to stop his winning streak and show the strength of Japanese fighters.”
Kim Soo Chul
“I'm the former ROAD FC Bantamweight Champion and current Featherweight Champion. I’m extremely grateful to get an offer on a worthy platform against a worthy opponent. I will show the RIZIN fans what MMA is all about.”
Kyohei Hagiwara vs. Chihiro Suzuki [66kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Kyohei Hagiwara
“My last match was back in May, and since then I’ve been training really hard. I hope to release all of my power during the match.”
Chihiro Suzuki
“Hello everybody, aloha! I’m super excited to go against Hagiwara. I don’t feel like I’ll lose a single millimeter. I’m going to win, whether it’s striking, grappling or groundwork. Please look forward to my fight!”
Juri Ohara vs. Luis Gustavo [71kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Juri Ohara
“I think this will be a banger between 2 fighters. I will get my hand raised at the end and extend my winning streak to 9, and I will get Satoshi’s belt for my 10th consecutive win.”
Luis Gustavo
“I'm very happy to be returning to Japan I have a great affection for my Japanese fans who welcomed me a lot, my opponent is a Striker so it's definitely going to be a great fight and a great show for the fans, but as soon as my hand touch him he will fall!!!!”
Shibisai Shoma vs. Callyu Gibrainn [120kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Shibisai Shoma
“I’m happy that I’m back, my opponent looks like a good fighter so this will be a fun fight.”
Callyu Gibrainn
“I’m happy to be called to fight in RIZIN. I grew up watching PRIDE, and started fighting and just recently became the GLADIATOR Champion. I will promise you a fantastic and fun fight.”
Nadaka Yoshinari vs. Bandasak So Trakunpet [53kg - RIZIN Kickboxing (elbows allowed) rules]
Nadaka Yoshinari
“I’m happy to be back here and I’m honored to be taking part in SUPER RIZIN. I know what my job is, and I plan to execute it well.”
Bandasak So Trakunpet
“I’m honored to be facing such a name. Nadaka has a huge name in Thailand so I will face him with great honor.”
Seika Izawa vs Anastasia Svetkivska [49kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Seika Izawa
“I’m disappointed that RENA had to withdraw but Anastasia is a very tough opponent so I think this will be a good fight and I will finish at the end.”
Anastasia Svetkivska
“I am sincerely happy to return to the Grand Prix. It's a sound competition, I think I deserved a place in this fight. I wish Rena health and success in her future work. This time I'm also a very worthy opponent, we'll show you a spectacular and beautiful fight - I was pleasantly surprised by the hospitality of Japanese fans, I look forward to meeting them, I will try for them and show a beautiful fight.”
Si Woo Park vs Ayaka Hamasaki [49kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Ayaka Hamasaki
“I will put on an aggressive fight in the semi finals and advance to the finals with a finish.”
Park Si Woo
“I’m happy to be back. I will enjoy the process of this tournament for the semi finals and finals. I will promise a knockout in this upcoming fight.”
Kota Miura vs Bunchuai Phonsungnoen [3 min x 3 rounds RIZIN Special MMA rules]
Kota Miura
“I apologize for my withdrawal from the fight in July. With that being said, I will take this fight seriously and put on a performance that people will appreciate.”
Bunchuai Phonsugnoen
“I’m honored to be fighting on such an event. I will do my best to capitalize on this opportunity.”
Confirmed Bouts
RIZIN.38 - Saitama Super Arena, September 25th
Seika Izawa vs Anastasia Svetkivska [49kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Si Woo Park vs Ayaka Hamasaki [49kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Kintaro [61kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Hiromasa Ougikubo vs. Kim Soo Chul [61kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Kyohei Hagiwara vs. Chihiro Suzuki [66kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Juri Ohara vs. Luis Gustavo [71kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Shibisai Shoma vs. Callyu Gibrainn [120kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
SUPER RIZIN - Saitama Super Arena, September 25th
Floyd Mayweather vs. Mikuru Asakura [Boxing]
Nadaka Yoshinari vs. Bandasak So Trakunpet [53kg - RIZIN Kickboxing (elbows allowed) rules]
Kota Miura vs Bunchuai Phonsungnoen [3 min x 3 rounds RIZIN Special MMA rules]
SUPER RIZIN doors are expected to open at 10:30AM, with a 12:00pm start time. RIZIN.38 will have a 3:00pm start time on September 25th (Sun) at the Saitama Super Arena.* There will be a 1-hour intermission between the two events.
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