SUPER RIZIN announced for July 30. Horiguchi vs. Shinryu for inaugural Bellator Flyweight title and AJ Mckee vs Patricky Pitbull for Bellator’s Lightweight Grand Prix quarter final. Kai Asakura vs. Juan Archuleta to fight for vacant Bantamweight title. Mikuru vs Vugar set as feature featherweight bout to determine top contender. Tofiq Musayev to participate in RIZIN portion of show, Kana Watanabe in the Bellator Portion.
Tokyo - May 27th, RIZIN held a press conference to announce the card for Super RIZIN.2 on July 30th at the Saitama Super Arena.
5 bouts were announced. For the Bellator portion, Kana Watanabe will be fighting in Japan after 3 and ½ years of absence. Kyoji Horiguchi will be fighting Makoto ‘Shinryu’ Takahashi for the vacant Bellator Flyweight title. Finally, AJ McKee and Patricky Pitbull will be fighting in the ongoing Bellator Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinals.
As for the RIZIN portion, Bellator has agreed to lend Tofiq Musayev with an opponent to be determined. Also, Mikuru Asakura vs Vugar Keramov, and Kai Asakura vs Juan Archuleta for the vacant RIZIN Bantamweight Championship. In total there will be 6 fights for Bellator portion, 9 or more fights for the RIZIN portion. Any additional bouts will be announced accordingly.
The matchups are as follows
AJ McKee vs. Patricky Pitbull [Unified MMA rules]
Kyoji Horiguchi vs Makoto ‘Shinryu’ Takahashi [57kg - Unified MMA rules]
Kai Asakura vs Juan Archuleta [61kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Mikuru Asakura vs Vugar Keramov [66kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Tofiq Musayev vs TBD [71kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Kana Watanabe vs TBD [57kg - Unified MMA rules]
FULL QUOTES
AJ McKee vs. Patricky Pitbull [Unified MMA rules]
AJ McKee
“Hello Japan! I just wanna say thank you for this opportunity to Mr. Coker, Bellator, RIZIN. I’m excited to be back here - it’s been 6 months. It’s an honor to come here and put on a great show for you guys with Patricky. We’re gonna be the second time having a cage here in Japan and I’m excited to bring the cage here and put on a great show for you guys. Enjoy!”
Patricky Pitbull
“I’m very happy to be back here after 4 years, and make the most aggressive fight against Tofiq Musayev. I’m very excited to be here and fight against AJ McKee, a very dangerous opponent. I want to do the same as I did last time. Awesome fans, and I enjoy this country so much.”
Kyoji Horiguchi vs Makoto ‘Shinryu’ Takahashi [57kg - Unified MMA rules]
Kyoji Horiguchi
“Hi this is Kyoji Horiguchi. First of all, Mr. Scott Coker, I would like to thank you very much for creating and opening up the Flyweight division. As for my opponent Shinryu - he is a good fighter, but I will go to Japan and beat him up. Thank you very much.”
Makoto Shinryu
“Hi I’m shinryu Makoto. The best flyweight in the world. Horiguchi’s time is over. I will beat him up and gather my 3rd promotional belt. Thank you. ”
Kai Asakura vs Juan Archuleta [61kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Kai Asakura
“This is Kai Asakura. I'm very excited to be fighting the former Bellator Champion Juan Archuleta. I know that RIZIN fighters have been struggling to get wins against Bellator fighters lately, but not for me. I’m going to beat a Bellator fighter, andI will keep the RIZIN belt in Japan - and I will protect the belt. Thank you very much!”
Mikuru Asakura vs Vugar Keramov [66kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Mikuru Asakura
“Hello everybody. My opponent Vugar Keramov is probably not known too much to anyone outside of hardcore fans. He is a competitor in my division, and he is touted as the best fighter in the RIZIN featherweight division, so I have picked him as my opponent for this one. I would like to beat him and beat Kleber and get the featherweight title this year. Thank you!”
Vugar Keramov
“I’m very glad to be back here today. On July 30th I promise you that all the fans will be satisfied with my performance and the fight. I appreciate your support. Thank you very much.”
Tofiq Musayev vs TBD [71kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Kana Watanabe vs TBD [57kg - Unified MMA rules]
Kana Watanabe
“This is Kana Watanabe. It’s been awhile since I fought in Japan - probably 3 and half years ago, but I’m very excited to fight in front of the Japanese fans again. For the RIZIN fans who might not know me, I want to put on a spectacular fight so all the new fans can remember my name. Thank you very much!”
Confirmed Bouts
Super RIZIN 2 - Saitama Super Arena, July 30th
AJ McKee vs. Patricky Pitbull [Unified MMA rules]
Kyoji Horiguchi vs Makoto ‘Shinryu’ Takahashi [57kg - Unified MMA rules]
Kai Asakura vs Juan Archuleta [61kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Mikuru Asakura vs Vugar Keramov [66kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Tofiq Musayev vs TBD [71kg - RIZIN MMA rules]
Kana Watanabe vs TBD [57kg - Unified MMA rules]