Reigning bantamweight King of Pancrase Rafael Silva has his first title defence set. The Brazilian will face Yuto Hokamura at Shinkiba Studio Coast on July 21st.
The matchup looks set to headline Pancrase 307 and was revealed by the promotion today on Twitter:
金太郎、今年の夏は今年だけ！
ハファエル・シウバのベルトに挑戦！https://t.co/eYKmMTUFxW
#パンクラス #試合 #新木場 #スタジオコースト #STUDIOCOAST #チャンピオンシップ #タイトル #防衛 #チャンピオン #挑戦 #今年の夏 #PANCRASE #MMA #Brazil #ブラジル #金太郎 #pancrase307 #7.21 pic.twitter.com/nmtXFHPVA7— PANCRASE｜パンクラス (@_PANCRASE_) May 9, 2019
Silva (30-6) was crowned as the bantamweight champion after submitting Kenta Takizawa at Pancrase 303. He had previously held the interim version of the strap.
Hokamura (12-7-2) has earned his title shot on the back of a four fight winning streak. It’s been nearly three years since the Japanese bantamweight last lost a bout.
Next up for the long running Japanese promotion is Pancrase 305 which is set for Shinkiba Studio Coast on May 25th. It will feature featherweight and welterweight title fights.
After that is Pancrase 306 which is set for the same venue on June 30th. That card will feature Japanese veterans Ryuichi Miki, Manabu Inoue, Ikuhisa Minowa, Eiji Ishikawa and Akihiro Murayama.
Pancrase 207, Tokyo, July 21st
Rafael Silva (c) vs. Yuto Hokamura (For Bantamweight Title)
