Kyoji Horiguchi has been matched with Yuto Hokamura at Rizin 38. The former bantamweight champion will be fighting in Japan for the first time in nearly two years.
The event is set for the Saitama Super Arena on September 25th. ‘Kintaro’ is coming off back to back losses which makes him a slightly surprising choice of opponent for Horiguchi.
But the former champion’s stint with Bellator has not gone according to plan. He has lost both his fights for the promotion and will be looking for a first win since 2020.
＼湘南美容クリニック presents／
💥#RIZIN38 追加対戦カード💥堀口恭司 @kyoji1012
🆚
金太郎 @Kintarou0319📅：9.25(日) 15:00開始
🏟：さいたまスーパーアリーナ
📝：https://t.co/5oOeEo4pxq pic.twitter.com/JXJtXxqhnV— RIZIN FF OFFICIAL (@rizin_PR) August 31, 2022
Two time champion
Horiguchi (29-5) was last seen by Japanese fans at Rizin 26. He beat Kai Asakura to capture the promotion’s bantamweight title for the second time but returned the belt after leaving to sign with Bellator.
Since signing for the American promotion he has been stopped by Sergio Pettis in the fourth round of a Bellator bantamweight title fight he appeared to be comfortably winning. He also dropped a decision to Patchy Mix.
It feels like a long time ago he managed to hold the Rizin and Bellator titles simultaneously. Horiguchi relocated to American Top Team in Florida ahead of his switch to fighting in the US.
Hokamura (14-11-2) has won just two of his six Rizin fights. But he has a reputation for being a wild brawler and this should be an entertaining bout.
😱 @SergioPettis turns the tide with a spinning back fist KO out of NOWHERE!
👑The Bantamweight champ retains in spectacular fashion LIVE on @SHOsports. #Bellator272 pic.twitter.com/2KEQPRrlIR
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 4, 2021
All Japanese
An all Japanese featherweight fight was also added to the card today. Kyohei Hagiwara (6-6) has been matched with Chihiro Suzuki (7-3). The latter is a kickboxing veteran while the former will be featuring on a Rizin card for the tenth time.
In the lightweight division reigning Deep 155lbs champion Juri Ohara (31-17-3-1) will be going in search of his ninth straight win. He has been matched with Luis Gustavo (11-2).
Additional fight announcement for RIZIN.38
Juri Ohara vs. Luiz Gustavo#RIZIN #RIZIN38 pic.twitter.com/QoWXtqmWjX
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) August 31, 2022
Bantamweight bout
As previously announced Soo Chul Kim will take on Hiromasa Ougikubo in a battle between two fighters with plenty of belts.
Ougikubo won the Rizin bantamweight Grand Prix last year. He beat Naoki Inoue and Kai Asakura in a single night to instantly establish himself as the top 135lber in Japan.
Kim captured the Road FC featherweight title in his most recent bout. The Korean has also held the ONE Championship bantamweight belt and the Road FC bantamweight belt but has been relatively inactive in recent years.
Yogibo presents RIZIN.33
-Backstage Photos-扇久保博正 @Hiromasa0401
🔻#RIZIN33 全試合配信中！https://t.co/iQTuTjZMsF#RIZINFF #RIZIN pic.twitter.com/ALQSXoDg3s
— RIZIN FF OFFICIAL (@rizin_PR) January 26, 2022
Exhibition boxing
Rizin 38 is set for the Saitama Super Arena on September 15th. The exhibition boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Mikuru Asakura will take place the same day but on a separate card.
The card that features Floyd Mayweather will start at 12pm (local time) and be called Super Rizin. The event featuring Horiguchi, Ougikubo and Kim will start later in the day.
Rizin 38, Tokyo, September 25th
Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Yuto Hokamura (Bantamweight)
Soo Chul Kim vs. Hiromasa Ougikubo (Bantamweight)
Kyohei Hagiwara vs. Chihiro Suzuki (Featherweight)
Juri Ohara vs. Luiz Gustavo (Lightweight)
Shoma Shibisai vs. Cally Gibrainn de Oliveira (Heavyweight)
