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Report: Rizin Announces First Event Of 2021, More News | Fight Announcement Roundup

MMA UFC
Evan Wheeler Feb 15, 2021 2:45PM

The Rizin Fighting Federation has announced their first event of 2021 and much, much more — Fightful has all the latest fight announcements in one article.

Rizin 27 announced for March 21, promotion's first event of 2021

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The Rizin Fighting Federation announced the lineup for their first show of 2021 via a press conference last Friday. Rizin 27 - Nagoya takes place March 21 from the Nippon Gaishi Hall in Nagoya, Japan, and will feature a rematch between Rizin super atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki and Kanna Asakura. Hamasaki took the first bout between the two at Rizin 14 in December 2018 with a second-round armbar submission victory.

Also on the card, a pair of lightweight Roberto de Souza and Kazuki Tokudome will face off. Tokudome will be making his promotional debut, while de Souza will try to move to 4-1 inside the Rizin ring, last defeating Yusuke Yachi at Rizin 22 via a first-round TKO.

Ryan Benoit vs. Zarrukh Adashev targeted for May 8 UFC event

Flyweights Ryan Benoit and Zarrukh Adashev are set to meet at a yet to be announced UFC event on May 8. MMAJunkie's Nolan King and John Morgan were the first to report the matchup, although nothing has been made official by the promotion. Benoit will try to avoid a three-fight losing streak against Adashev, losing his last fight to Tim Elliott via a unanimous decision at UFC Fight Island 1. Adashev who is facing the potential of a three-fight skid as well was defeated by Su Mudaerji by a unanimous decision at UFC Fight Island 8.

Raulian Paiva returns against David Dvorak at May 22 UFC event

Brazilian flyweight Raulian Paiva will return from a torn ACL against David Dvorak at a yet to be announced UFC event on May 22, first reported by AgFight's Carlos Antunes. The 25-year old Paiva will look for his third win in a row, defeating Zhalgas Zhumagulov and Mark De La Rosa in his preview two outings. Dvorak will look to go 3-0 inside the Octagon against Paiva, beating Jordan Espinosa via a unanimous decision in his last fight at UFC Vegas 11.

Jack Shore vs. Hunter Azure slated for April 10 UFC event

Top bantamweight prospects Jack Shore and Hunter Azure are slated to fight at a yet to be announced UFC event on April 10, first reported by Cageside Press' Alex Behunin. Shore the former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion will try to stay undefeated and look for his third straight Octagon win against Azure, beating Aaron Phillips in the second round via submission due to a rear-naked choke at UFC Fight Island 1. Azure will try to end Shore's undefeated streak and in the process move his UFC record to 3-1, last defeating Cole Smith by a unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 9.

KSW 59 co-headlined by Bantamweight title fight

KSW 59 takes place March 20 and will be headlined by the return of Polish strongman champion Mariusz Pudzianowski. The promotion announced the co-headliner for the event via their official Twitter account which will feature a rematch for the bantamweight title between champion Antun Racic and Sebastian Przybysz. The pair first met at KSW 46 back in December 2018 with Racic taking a unanimous decision victory.

Emily Whitmire out against Sam Hughes at UFC Vegas 20

UFC women's strawweight Emily Whitmire has been forced to withdraw from her matchup with Sam Hughes at UFC Vegas 20 on February 27 due to undisclosed reasons, first reported by Cageside Press' Jay Anderson. Hughes now finds herself looking for a short notice replacement opponent after she stepped in for Hannah Cifers to take on Whitmire.

Mike Trizano out, Pat Sabatini in against Rafael Alves at UFC Vegas 19

With Mike Trizano being forced to withdraw from his bout with Rafael Alves at UFC Vegas 19 due to undisclosed reasons, Pat Sabatini has stepped in to replace him and face Alves on short notice. Alves revealed the news first on his social media, but MMAJunkie also confirmed the switch although nothing has been officially confirmed by the promotion. Sabatini is a former CFFC featherweight champion with a professional record of 13-3 and nine of those 13 victories coming via submission. Alves on the other end is riding a five-fight winning streak and will look to go 2-0 inside the Octagon, defeating Alejandro Flores in his debut on Dana White's Contender Series by a second-round submission due to a guillotine choke.

JP Buys makes official UFC debut against Bruno Silva at UFC Vegas 22

Flyweight JP Buys will make his Octagon debut at UFC Vegas 22 on March 20 against Bruno Silva, according to a report from MMA DNA. The promotion is officially yet to announce or confirm the bout, although Buys is expected to make his debut alongside his wife Cheyanne Buys who will face Kay Hansen on the same card in a strawweight matchup. The South African native is riding a five-fight winning streak, last defeating Jacob Silva in the first round via submission due to a guillotine choke on Dana White's Contender Series. Silva will for his first win inside the Octagon, going 0-2-1 so far in his time with the promotion and last losing a unanimous decision to Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC Fight Island 5.

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