Rizin 45 is set for the World Memorial Hall in Kobe on March 23rd. A super atomweight bout between Rena Kubota and Shim Yu-Ri is one of three fights currently on the card.
Rena (13-5) has been out of action for nearly a year since getting submitted by Claire Lopez at Rizin Landmark 5. She has been on the Rizin roster since 2015 but her opponent will be fighting in Japan for just the second time.
Shim (6-3) is the newly crowned Road FC atomweight champion. She beat Jeong Eun Park in a rematch at Road FC 59 to win the belt and earn herself an opportunity with Rizin in the process.
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Ups and downs
The card will also feature a clash between two experienced bantamweights. UFC veteran Naoki Inoue has been matched with ONE Championship veteran Shoko Sato.
Inoue (16-4) won his first six Rizin fights. But the 26 year old has suffered a slight dip in form, suffering two decision losses in his last three fights.
Sato (35-15-2) has has numerous ups and downs during a professional career which began back in 2008. The former Shooto bantamweight champion is currently riding a two fight winning streak
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Featherweight fight
Another all Japanese matchup pits Koji Takeda (15-6) against Kyohei Hagiwara (7-8) in the featherweight division. The former has lost his last three while the latter has four defeats in his last five fights.
Rizin 46, Kobe, March 23rd
Naoki Inoue vs. Shoko Sato (Bantamweight)
Rena Kubota vs. Shim Yu-Ri (Super Atomweight)
Koji Takeda vs. Kyohei Hagiwara (Featherweight)
