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RIZIN set to crown inaugural featherweight champion on Nov. 21

Mikuru Asakura will face Yutaka Saito for the inaugural featherweight championship. | Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

RIZIN Fighting Federation announced the first six matchups that will take place at RIZIN 25 in Osaka, Japan, on Nov. 21, including the company’s first featherweight title bout in the main event.

Unbeaten in seven bouts with three knockouts under the company’s banner, Mikuru Asakura (13-1-0, 1 no contest) will collide with former Shooto king Yutaka Saito (18-4-2), who won his RIZIN debut with a soccer kick knockout in August, to crown the new 145-pound champion.

“I haven’t fought since February but I have constantly been training hard, so look forward on seeing a graded-up version of me,” Asakura stated in a release. “I’m 7-0 in the organization so I think I deserve this title shot the most. I saw my opponent fight in August, but he’s not my match … He’ll try to grapple me but he will be met with a huge surprise.”

“My opponent is a very tough opponent so I will work hard to put on a good fight and become champion,” Saito stated. “I was expecting a few more fights before getting the title shot but I think the timing is right. I don’t want to miss this opportunity so I will do everything It takes to get that belt.”

Due to governmental requirements on the COVID-19 pandemic, only 6,000 fans will be allowed in the venue for the event.

RIZIN 25 will also feature Hiromasa Ougikubo (20-5-2), who challenged for the bantamweight throne twice in the past, taking on Kenta Takizawa (11-5). Check the current lineup below.

Mikuru Asakura vs. Yutaka Saito
Hiromasa Ougikubo vs. Kenta Takizawa
Yojiro Uchimura vs. Kyohei Hagiwara
Ryuichiro Sumimura vs. Gota Yamashita
|Tatsuki Saomoto vs. Daichi Kitakata
Hidenori Ebara vs. Isami Sano [kickboxing]Jin Mandokoro vs. Syuto Sato [kickboxing]Shohei Asahara vs. Yuma Yamaguchi [kickboxing]Taiga vs. Yuma Yamahata [kickboxing]

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