A featherweight fight between Mikuru Asakura and Juntaro Ushiku will headline Rizin Landmark 5. It will be the former’s first appearance since his defeat to Floyd Mayweather on New Year’s Eve.
Asakura faced Mayweather in an exhibition boxing match. It was his first time competing in the sport and unsurprisingly he was no match for the best boxer of the century.
But the 30 year old has won his last two MMA fights. Asakura (16-3) and his brother are two of Rizin’s biggest stars and he will be looking to make it three in a row and potentially secure a title shot here.
Ushiku (22-9-1) was the featherweight champion but lost his belt to Koike Kleber Erbst at Rizin 39. He was submitted by the Brazilian in the second round.
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New signing
ONE Championship veteran Mei Yamaguchi (21-14-1) has signed with Rizin. The 40 year old lost her last three fights for the promotion and has been matched with former Rizin super atomweight champion Kanna Asakura (19-7) here.
Yutaka Saito (20-7-2) will also be looking to snap a three fight losing skid. The 35 year old takes on charismatic kickboxer Ren Hiramoto (2-2) who is coming off back to back decision wins.
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Catchweight contest
As previously announced Rena Kubota will be back in action at Rizin Landmark 5. She has been matched with Claire Lopez in Yoyogi on April 29th in a catchweight contest.
Rena normally competes in Rizin’s super atomweight division which is set at 108lbs. But she will be moving up to 112.5lbs for this contest which will be her first since suffering a fractured orbital.
Rena was last seen beating Anastasiya Svetkivska by decision in the quarter finals of the super atomweight Grand Prix. But she had to withdraw from the tournament after suffering a serious facial injury in that fight.
Rizin Landmark 5, Yoyogo, April 29th
Juntaro Ushiku vs. Mikuru Asakura (Featherweight)
Yutaka Saito vs. Ren Hiramoto (Featherweight)
Koji Takeda vs. Luiz Gustavo (Lightweight)
Tsuyoshi Sudario vs. Roque Martinez (Heavyweight)
Rena Kubota vs. Claire Lopez (Catchweight)
Kanna Asakura vs. Mei Yamaguchi (Super Atomweight)
Johnny Case vs. Ali Abdulkhalikov (Lightweight)
Masanori Kanehara vs. Sora Yamamoto (Featherweight)
Kazuma Kuramoto vs. Shinobu Ota (Bantamweight)
Callyu Gibrainn vs. Mikio Ueda (Heavyweight)
