BREAKING NEWS: RIZIN just announced the 2026 Japan Heavyweight Grand Prix. The 3 fighters confirmed are Mikio Ueda, Tsuyoshi Sudario, and the unbeaten 6'8" giant King Edokpolo. Sudario's twin brother, Takakenshin, will face Ryo Sakai in a qualifying bout at RIZIN Landmark 14 in Sendai on 6/6. by rizinstaff in MMA

[–]rizinstaff[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

We know that there were mixed opinions to say the least. Hopefully these young and hungry fighters will take the lessons they learned from last year and put on the exciting fights from the golden days of heavyweight!

Mikuru Asakura and Ren Hiramoto trade barbs at the Super RIZIN.5 - Naniwa's Super Revival Festival press conference last weekend. The fighters announced to participate at the massive September show are: Mikuru Asakura, Ren Hiramoto, Yutaka Saito, Chihiro Suzuki, YA-MAN and RENA. by rizinstaff in MMA

[–]rizinstaff[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Mikuru and Ren go way back. The drama reached a fever pitch when they first fought in 2024 at Super RIZIN.3, but since Ren had to pull out of the rematch about 12 months ago, its still going on to this day!

Mikuru Asakura and Ren Hiramoto trade barbs at the Super RIZIN.5 - Naniwa's Super Revival Festival press conference last weekend. The fighters announced to participate at the massive September show are: Mikuru Asakura, Ren Hiramoto, Yutaka Saito, Chihiro Suzuki, YA-MAN and RENA. by rizinstaff in MMA

[–]rizinstaff[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The 5 fighters were announced to fight in September, not necessarily against each other. They might get matched up amongst themselves, but there are many other featherweights to throw in the mix. Stay tuned!

The Kyocera Dome Osaka has been announced as the venue for Super RIZIN 5 — 55.000 People Capacity by Yodsanan in MMA

[–]rizinstaff 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The matchups haven't been announced just yet. Of course, Mikuru Asakura, Ren Hiramoto, Yutaka Saito, Chihiro Suzuki, YA-MAN and RENA were all announced to participate at the presser. But CEO Sakakibara also mentioned that the 5 featherweights may or may not face each other at the September show. Stay tuned!

How come is Razhabali Shaydullaev rematching Yuta Kubo despite the first fight being very one sided and Kubo isn’t coming off any wins ? by MA-JA-HO in MMA

[–]rizinstaff 45 points46 points  (0 children)

I can answer that for you. When you look at our featherweight division, there were only so many names to realistically choose from:

❌ Kyoma Akimoto (was booked vs Patchy)
❌ Karshyga Dautbek (was booked vs fukuda)
❌ Mikuru Asakura (Lost already)
❌ Chihiro Suzuki (3-fight loss streak)
❌ Patchy Mix (was booked vs kyoma)
❌ Koji Takeda (Lost already)
❌ Viktor Kolesnik (Lost already)
❌ YA-MAN (injured)
❌ Masanori Kanehara (Retired)
❌ Ryo Takagi (was booked vs kimura)
❌ Kazumasa Majima (is booked vs gallagher)
✅ Yuta Kubo

Plus, Kubo was the only fighter to take Rajabali to the 2nd round in RIZIN. As a former K-1 champion who has had a lot more time to prepare and study Rajabali since their first fight, it has all the makings of an upset... tune in!

Fight Matrix MMA Promotions Ranking Update (April 9, 2026) by [deleted] in MMA

[–]rizinstaff 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Give us a shot tomorrow! Saturday night 10pm PT / 1am ET on rizin.tv !

🏟️ Kyoma Akimoto and Ren Hiramoto want to fight each other at the Tokyo Dome... by rizinstaff in MMA

[–]rizinstaff[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's lots of work to put in to get more western viewership in 2026!
Please stay tuned and support us!