TOKYO – Rizin FF recently held a press conference to announce their opening schedule for 2023, including Rizin FF 41, Rizin FF Landmark 5 and Rizin FF 42.
At the beginning of the press conference, Rizin CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara announced the annual event schedule for 2023.
Rizin FF 41, which will be held at Maruzen Intec Arena Osaka on Saturday, April 1, will be the opening round of Rizin FF in 2023. Rizin FF Landmark 5 in YoYogi will be held at Yoyogi 1st Gymnasium on Sunday, April 30, and Rizin FF 42 will be held at Ariake Arena on Saturday, May 6.
It was also announced that 10 to 11 events will be held in this year, including the following, as a schedule after that.
- April 1: Rizin FF 41 at Maruzen Intec Arena in Osaka
- April 30: Rizin FF Landmark 5 in Yoyogi
- May 6: Rizin FF 42 in Tokyo
- End of June
- End of July
- End of September
- October
- New Year’s Eve
After CEO Sakakibara finished explaining the announcement items, the seven players who have decided to participate in the Rizin FF 41 Osaka event to be held on April 1 took the stage. When everyone was seated, the match card decided this time was announced.
There were five MMA bouts in total, including two flyweight matchups: Makoto “Shinryu” Takahashi (15-1-1) vs. Daichi Kitakata (20-11-1) and Yusaku Nakamura (17-9-1) vs. Mehman Mamedov (5-6).
Additionally announced were Yuto “Kintaro” Hokamura (14-12-2) vs. Koichi “Ishiji” Ishizuka (19-5-1) at bantamweight, and Vugar Keramov (17-4) vs. Yoshinori Horie (12-3) at featherweight. Sho Patrick Usami‘s opponent is yet to be announced, which will be a lightweight bout.
In addition, it was announced that a Kick 3 card was also decided, centering on fighters from local Osaka.
Then, CEO Sakakibara gave a separate explanation about the Koji “KOUZI” Tanaka, who took the stage. “As a matter of course, ‘KOUZI’ will also participate in the Osaka event, so we are currently adjusting the opponents and rules.”
When CEO Sakakibara revealed that ‘KOUZI’ had a leg injury in relation to the many matches that followed boxing rules last year, ‘KOUZI’ immediately interrupted the discussion. “Bring on Ashizawa. Where the hell is the catfish faced idiot? He came into my turf and he’s demanding rules? Whatever. I will do whatever he wants. He’s asking for MMA rules, but that will end up being a lame MMA fight. Let’s do what we do best and throw down you piece of sh-t, fish-faced bum. I have many followers and supporters from my K-1 days so I want to meet their expectations. I mentioned Ashizawa but he’s weak as hell. You can hit his face and he’ll go down. I have no interest in fighting him but if that’s what sells, I’ll fight him.”
In response to this, CEO Sakakibara once again said that the match between Koji and Ashizawa would be “adjusted, including rules and weight, and we would like to make an official announcement soon so that both can be present.”
On New Year’s Eve, KOUZI and Ryuusei Ashizawa, who met in the Rizin FF ring, will face each other under what rules? Will they meet again at the next press conference?!
DEEP flyweight unified champion and CFFC flyweight champion Makoto “Shinryu” will face the 2nd Pancrase strawweight champion Kitakata.
“Shinryu” took the microphone and greeted the Rizin FF fans, saying, “I’m Makoto ‘Shinryu,’ the strongest flyweight in Japan!” He continued, “Kitakata is a top fighter in Japan and is definitely not a pushover, but I’m aiming to be the best in the world, and I have no time to waste against this opponent. Kitakata has got a strong heart and he constantly comes forward, but that’s it.”
On the other hand, Kitakata declared that he will fight in the flyweight division in earnest from this time, and said, “My goal is to beat Kyoji Horiguchi, the strongest man in Japanese MMA,” he said. “I will be fighting at flyweight from now on, and I believe that ‘Shinryu’ is the No. 2 flyweight in Japan. This will be a tough fight but I look forward to taking on everybody in a new division. ‘Shinryu’ has a big mouth, but he has what it takes to talk. He needs to learn some respect though.”
From the featherweight division, where the champion was replaced in October last year, it was decided to play against Horie, who will return for the first time in about a year, and Keramov, who will also return from injury.
Horie, who attended the press conference for the first time in a while, held the mic and said, “I’m very excited to be getting the opponent I want the most. I will go in there and show 100 percent. Keramov, come at me and try to kill me because I’m going to do the same.”
Keramov said, “Hi, I’m excited to come back to Japan. I am fully recovered and cannot wait to show everybody my fighting skills. I will beat my opponent and go after the title this year.”
Rizin FF bantamweight current champion Horiguchi has switched to flyweight, and from the bantamweight division, where the top front has been intensified again, a match between DEEP champion Ishizuka and “Kintaro” has been decided.
“Kintaro” commented, “It’s been a while since I’ve last fought in Osaka, but I will show my hometown who’s boss. He’s durable and gritty – that’s all I know about my opponent”
Ishizuka said, “This is my first match at Rizin FF, and I’m very happy that I was able to face a wonderful opponent like ‘Kintaro’ from the beginning.” He added, “I would like to do my best to prepare well and show a good match.”
Regarding Sho Patrick Usami, who has been announced to fight without an opponent this time, CEO Sakakibara said, “Actually, we were planning to announce (the match card) with the foreign fighter today, but just before that, the foreign fighter said, ‘Usami is too strong,’ and declined.”
In response to this, Usami said, “I was told that the opponent had turned down the fight, but Mr. Sakakibara, please make sure to sign a strong foreigner. I would like to prove myself, so please do your best.” Usami’s opponent will be adjusted again and will be announced at a later date.
Other additional cards from the Rizin FF 41 Osaka event, as well as cards from two events, Rizin FF Landmark 5 on April 30 and Rizin FF 42 on May 6, will be finalized to be announced in late February.
