Ayaka Hamasaki is set to defend her super atomweight title at Rizin 16. She will rematch Jinh Yu Frey in one of six bouts revealed today by the promotion for the June 2nd card at Kobe World Hall.
Hamasaki (17-2) won the 49kgs title at Rizin 14 by submitting Kanna Asakura with an armbar late in the second round. Meanwhile Jinh (8-2) is the reigning Invicta FC atomweight (105lbs) champion.
This will be the second title fight between the two. Hamasaki and Jinh fought at Invicta FC in 2016 with the Japanese fighter winning by way of TKO due to a doctor’s stoppage, claiming a belt her opponent would go on to win two year’s later.
Rizin 16 will have at least two atomweight matches on the card with Kanna Asakura (14-3) taking on Miyuu Yamamoto (4-3). The latter is riding a three fight winning streak while the former is coming off a decision win at Deep-Jewels 23 in March.
Meanwhile Erson Yamamoto (2-4) will be looking to bounce back after losing his last two. He’s been handed some tough matchups by Rizin in his career so far and will be facing American Tim Eschtruth (4-1) on this card.
Tenshin Nasukawa is also expected to compete in a kickboxing match although no opponent has been announced. One fighter who won’t be featuring on the Rizin 16 card is Kyoji Horiguchi who challenges Darrion Caldwell for the bantamweight title in a rematch at Bellator 222.
Rizin 16, Kobe, June 2nd
Ayaka Hamasaki (c) vs. Jinh Yu Frey (For Super Atomweight Title)
Kanna Asakura vs. Miyuu Yamamoto (49kgs)
Yamamoto Arsen vs. Tim Eschtruth (61kgs)
Roque Martinez vs. Jake Heung (120kgs)
Kickboxing: Saiga Kizaemon vs. Kunitaka (59kgs)
Kickboxing: Itto vs. Nakamura Ken (60kgs)
