Rizin 28 is set for the Tokyo Dome on June 13th. A featherweight fight was added to the card today with former title challenger Mikuru Asakura booked to face compatriot Kleber Koike Erbst.
Asakura (14-2-0-1) is coming off a first round stoppage win over Satoshi Yamasu at Rizin 26. He saw his eight fight winning streak snapped by Yutaka Saito at Rizin 25.
Erbst (27-5-1) is riding a three fight winning streak that saw him score submission victories at Rizin 27, Rizin 26 and Road to ONE: ‘Century’. He says the two have trained together before,
“I’ve sparred with Asakura a long time ago but that was a very long time. We’ve both changed styles since and practice and an actual fight is two different things so I’m not sure what to say about when we practiced together. I’m not worried at all about his grappling if it goes to the ground he’s going to have a bad time.”
Asakura admits that the BJJ black belt is a ‘dangerous opponent’.
“I have over a month to prepare so expect a good fight from me. Kleber’s fought internationally and has a great finishing rate. He’s definitely a dangerous opponent for me.”
As previously announced the first round of the bantamweight Grand Prix will conclude at this event with some of the promotion’s biggest names in action. Kai Asakura and Naoki Inoue will be among the fighters looking to progress to the quarter finals.
The first four fights in the opening round will take place at Rizin 29 which, confusingly, takes place a couple of weeks before Rizin 28. Asakura will take on Shooto Watanabe, Inoue goes up against Shintaro Ishiwatari, Yuki Motoya faces Ryo Okada and Takeshi Kasugai has been matched with Hiromasa Ougikubo.
This will be the first time in 18 years that an MMA event has been held at the Tokyo Dome and Rizin hopes to be able to welcome 25,000 fans, 50% of the stadium’s capacity.
Rizin 28, Tokyo Dome, June 13th
Mikuru Asakura vs. Kleber Koike Erbst (Featherweight)
Kai Asakura vs. Shooto Watanabe (Bantamweight Grand Prix Opening Round)
Naoki Inoue vs. Shintaro Ishiwatari (Bantamweight Grand Prix Opening Round)
Yuki Motoya vs. Ryo Okada (Bantamweight Grand Prix Opening Round)
Takeshi Kasugai vs. Hiromasa Ougikubo (Bantamweight Grand Prix Opening Round)
