RIZIN recently announced 13 bouts for their July 2nd event, which will mark their second-ever appearance at the Okinawa Arena in Okinawa, Japan.
RIZIN 36 is scheduled and include the return to Kai Asakura, who will face promotional newcomer Yang Ji-yong.
Asakura, a former RIZIN Bantamweight Champion, will be making his first appearance of the year in the matchup. He competed in RIZIN’s 16-man bantamweight grand prix last year, where he won three fights but lost in the grand final to Hiromasa Ougikubo.
Asakura will face Yang, an undefeated Korean prospect who has attained four wins on the regional scene in Korea. He last appeared in May, when he submitted Kim Hyun-woo with a guillotine choke at Road FC 60.
Two Super Atomweight Matchups Confirmed For RIZIN 36
RIZIN’s super atomweight division will be on display in July with two matchups.
In the higher profile fight, veteran. Miyuu Yamamoto will face DEEP Jewels Atomweight Champion Saori Oshima.
Oshima will be making her second appearance in the promotion. She won her RIZIN debut last year, defeating Kanna Asakura in a split decision. She has since returned to DEEP Jewels, where she has won and lost a fight respectively.
Yamamoto’s last appearance was at RIZIN’s first event in Okinawa. She suffered a brutal stoppage loss on that card, getting finished in the second round by RENA.
Lower on the card, NISSE and Moeri Suda are expected to meet. Suda had a five-fight winning streak broken in her last fight, losing to the aforementioned Oshima.
NISSE, an Okinawa resident, will be aiming to even her pro record at five wins and five losses.
Full Lineup
The 13-bout lineup has a variety of storylines throughout.
Still searching for his first MMA win, former kickboxer Ren Hiramoto will meet Hiroaki Suzuki in a fight. Hiramoto is currently winless through two appearances.
Pancrase veteran Mitsuhisa Sunabe will appear once again, facing Nobuyoshi Nakatsukasa at a catchweight of 119 pounds.
Both riding the momentum of recent wins, Kyle Aguon and Sora Yamamoto will be matched up.
Coming off an explosive pro debut, Tanner Lourenco will face newcomer Orihey.
Here’s the entire lineup:
Bout 13: Kai Asakura (19-4) vs. Yang Ji-yong (4-0) (134 lbs) (MMA Bout)
Bout 12: Hiroaki Suzuki (2-1) vs. Ren Hiramoto (0-2) (146 lbs) (MMA Bout)
Bout 11: Miyuu Yamamoto (6-6) vs. Saori Oshima (8-3) (108 lbs) (MMA Bout)
Bout 10: Mitsuhisa Sunabe (29-10-4) vs. Nobuyoshi Nakatsukasa (7-4) (119 lbs) (MMA Bout)
Bout 9: Kohei Tokeshi (7-8) vs. Atsushi Kishimoto (7-6-2) (157 lbs) (MMA Bout)
Bout 8: Yuki Ito (10-3) vs. Yuichi Miyagi (17-11-1) (126 lbs) (MMA Bout)
Bout 7: Yamato Fujita (8-4) vs. Tatsuya So (18-18-4) (126 lbs) (MMA Bout)
Bout 6: Yutaro Muramoto (8-6-2) vs. Shinichi Kojima (14-6-5) (126 lbs) (MMA Bout)
Bout 5: NISSE (4-5) vs. Moeri Suda (5-3) (108 lbs) (MMA Bout)
Bout 4: TAIGA vs. Soichiro Arata (134 lbs) (Kickboxing Bout)
Bout 3: Kyle Aguon (14-10) vs. Sora Yamamoto (15-6-2) (146 lbs) (MMA Bout)
Bout 2: Hirokatsu Miyagi vs. Tomoki Yoshino (160 lbs) (Kickboxing Bout)
Bout 1: Tanner Lourenco (1-0) vs. Orihey (0-0) (157 lbs) (MMA Bout)
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