Three more bouts have been added to this Aprils Rizin 15 card, which are UFC veteran Damien Brown vs Koji Takeda, Satoru Kitaoka vs Roberto Satoshi and Souza Manel Kape vs Seiichiro Ito.
The following press release was issued by Rizin on the new additions to the card:
RIZIN 15 adds 3 bouts including a new signee, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and QUINTET star Roberto Satoshi Souza. Kape takes on Ito, previously announced Takeda gets Brown.
After a very successful 2018, RIZIN will be kicking off their first event of the year on April 21st 2019, RIZIN in Yokohama. The promotion has already announced 4 stellar matchups including the promotion’s first Light Heavyweight Title bout between Bellator representative King Mo and RIZIN mainstay Jiri Prochazka.
TOKYO – On February 8th, RIZIN held a press conference with Satoru Kitaoka, Roberto Satoshi Souza, Seiitchiro Ito and Nobuyuki Sakakibara.
Sakakibara announced three additional fights to the promotion’s first event of the year.
With an excellent resume in submission grappling, Roberto ‘Satoshi’ Souza has remained undefeated in his 6 grappling bouts in Metamoris and Quintet inclduing opponents like Clark Gracie, and Gordon Ryan - with his most notable victory coming against Japanese veteran Daisuke Nakamura. Coming into MMA, Souza has won all 7 of his bouts by submission, winning the Real Fight Tournament Championship in 2016. With his RIZIN debut against skilled grappler Satoru Kitaoka, Souza will have a baptism by fire against battle-tested veteran.
A 3-time ZST Flyweight champion, Ito last competed in RIZIN FF against Kizaemon Saiga, winning via unanimous decision in Yokohama. An extremely competent grappler, Ito defeated Japanese legend Hideo Tokoro in a grappling contest in 2017, as well as well as drawing in his last outing against Shooto and PRIDE veteran, Daisuke Sugie. He was scheduled to compete on last year’s NYE event against Kai Asakura, but he now returns to face Manel Kape - once again in Yokohama.
Koji Takeda, fighting nearly his entire professional career in DEEP, the young prodigy finally earned his first world championship in October of last year. Boasting an undefeated record of 8-0, with his title victory coming against RIZIN fan-favorite Satoru Kitaoka, Takeda will be looking to make waves in the lightweight division as he takes on Damien Brown.
Fighter quotes: Satoru Kitaoka
“I was given the opportunity to face Kawajiri last year, and overcome a tough task. If the Lightweight Grand Prix were to happen, I would like to take part. But right now, I have a tough opponent ahead of me and that’s all I’m focused on. A fighter that has a loss in his most recent fight shouldn’t be fighting in the Grand Prix.”
Roberto Satoshi Souza
“I am happy to be able to perform on such a big platform representing REAL FC. I trust my abilities and I believe that I can beat anybody put in front of me. My opponent is physically strong and has many dangerous submissions. I am not looking for the tournament, I focus on every fight one at a time.”
Koji Takeda
“I would like to thank Damien Brown for accepting this fight. I saw him submit Daron Cruickshank right before my eyes. I think that we can both put on an exciting fight for the fans. I am on a roll. I have won 8 fights in 18 months. I don’t plan to stop now.”
Damien Brown
“I’m excited to entertain the Japanese crowd again. They are awesome! Testing myself against one of Japan’s undefeated athletes, I’ll be sure to put a show on for Rizin and the fans . I want that spot in the GP, it means the world!!”
Seiichiro Ito
“I am happy to be able to return to the RIZIN ring after 2 years, I have had a stream of injuries and unfortunate events, but right now I am healthy and injury free. My opponent is physically gifted and a very dangerous overall. He may want to play games before the fight, but I will be the one beating the crap out of him.”
Manel Kape
“I have been studying my opponent and what I have to say is very simple, is that there no rivalry between men and lions ... I honestly think he is an interesting opponent, but not for me! I should be fighting with my baby Asakura.”
<Confirmed Fights>
Kyoji Horiguchi vs Ben Nguyen
King Mo vs Jiri Prochazka
Kai Asakura vs Ulka Sasaki
Mikuru Asakura vs Luiz Gustavo
Damien Brown vs Koji Takeda
Satoru Kitaoka vs Roberto Satoshi
Souza Manel Kape vs Seiichiro Ito
Doors open at 1:30PM with Opening Ceremony at 3:00PM on Sunday April 21st at the Yokohama Arena. International tickets can be purchased at www.stubhub.com starting March 10th 2019.
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