With travel restrictions still in place we have seen a lot of all Japanese title fights this year. There will be another one on October 24th as Yutaka Saito defends his featherweight strap against Juntaro Ushiku at Rizin 31.
Saito (20-4-2) beat Mikuru Asakura at Rizin 24 to become the promotion’s inaugural 145lbs champion. Earlier this year he beat Vugar Karamov by split decision in a non title bout.
Ushiku (19-8-1) will be making his promotional debut. He is the reigning Deep featherweight champion and has won seven of his last eight fights.
In the heavyweight division former sumo wrestling star Tsuyoshi Sudario (3-1) has been matched with Saint (2-0). The American has two wins for Deep but his real name remain a mystery.
Rizin 31 is set for the PIA Arena in Yokohama. As previously announced the event will feature a super atomweight fight between Kanna Asakura and Saori Oshima.
The event will also feature two flyweight fights, a division Rizin has traditionally shown little interest in. Yusaku Nakamura faces Yuki Ito while Seiichiro Ito takes on Kunta Hashimoto.
In the bantamweight division Masanori Kanehara takes on Takahiro Ashida. At featherweight Daisuke Nakamura faces Suguru Nii.
Rizin 31, Yokohama, October 24th
Yutaka Saito (c) vs. Juntaro Ushiku (For featherweight title)
Kanna Asakura vs. Saori Oshima (Super atomweight)
Tsuyoshi Sudario vs Saint (Heavyweight)
Yusaku Nakamura vs. Yuki Ito (Flyweight)
Daisuke Nakamura vs Suguru Nii (Featherweight)
Masanori Kanehara vs. Takahiro Ashida (Bantamweight)
Daichi Abe vs Akira Okada (Lightweight)
Rikuto Shirakawa vs Takuya Yamamoto (Featherweight)
Seiichiro Ito vs Kunta Hashimoto (Flyweight)
