Super atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki is set to face promotional newcomer Emi Fujino in a non title fight at Rizin 30. The event is set for Saitama Super Arena on September 19th.
Hamasaki (22-3) won the super atomweight title for the second time at Rizin 26 last year. The belt was left vacant when Seo Hee Ham signed with ONE Championship.
Fujino (25-11-0-1) was last seen in action at Pancrase 311 in 2019. She submitted Hyun Ji Jang late in the third round to become the promotion’s interim strawweight champion but will be dropping down to 108lbs for this fight.
Hamasaki and Fujino fought in 2012 with the former winning by decision. Rizin’s matchmakers have decided to reshuffle the bantamweight tournament quarter finals in order to ensure there are no rematches at this stage of the tournament.
Former bantamweight champion and tournament favourite Kai Asakura (17-3) takes on Alan Yamaniha (18-8), the only non Japanese fighter in the tournament. Takafumi Otsuka (29-18) meets Hiromasa Ougikubo (22-5) in a battle between two veterans.
Meanwhile Yuto Hokamura (14-9) has been matched with Naoki Inoue (16-2) and and Yuki Motoya (28-9-0-1) goes up against Kenta Takizawa (12-7). The semi finals and final will take place at Rizin 31 on New Year’s Eve.
Rizin 30, Tokyo, September 19th
Roberto de Souza (c) vs. TBA (For lightweight title)
Ayaka Hamasaki vs. Emi Fujino (Super atomweight)
Yuki Motoya vs Kenta Takizawa (Bantamweight Grand Prix 1/4 final)
Hiromasa Ougikubo vs Takafumi Otsuka (Bantamweight Grand Prix 1/4 final)
Naoki Inoue vs Yuto Hokamura (Bantamweight Grand Prix 1/4 final)
Kai Asakura vs Alan Yamaniha (Bantamweight Grand Prix 1/4 final)
