Due to a state of emergency being declared in several Japanese cities as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, RIZIN 28 has been pushed back. In what appears to be a first, the event will now take place after its numeric successor, RIZIN 29.
RIZIN 28, set to take place at the Tokyo Dome, had been planned for May 23. But under current restrictions, no more than 5,000 spectators would be able to attend. Instead, the promotion has pushed RIZIN 28 to June 13, with hopes of having 50% capacity in the venue. RIZIN 29, meanwhile, will remain in place on May 30. As tickets have already been sold, the promotion is sticking with the event numbering as is.
RIZIN Fighting Federation officials announced the news in a press release on Monday. Promotion CEO Noboyuki Sakakibara was quoted as saying, in part, that “I know this may be confusing but since we have already started to sell tickets to both events, we will be sticking with these event numbers. Anybody who has already purchased tickets for RIZIN.28 and cannot attend the new date, we will happily make refunds.”
The following bouts have been announced for the cards, which will have the opening round of the Bantamweight Grand Prix split between them.
RIZIN 29 – May 30
Kintaro vs Kuya Ito – Bantamweight GP opening round
Takafumi Otsuka vs Shian – Bantamweight GP opening round
Kazuma Kuramoto vs Alan Hiro Yamaniha – Bantamweight GP opening round
Kenta Takizawa vs Kazunari Imanari – Bantamweight GP opening round
Yusuke Yachi vs Yuki Kawana
Rikuto Shirakawa vs Jin Aoi
Kouzi/TBD/TBD/TBD – Four man kickboxing tournament
RIZIN 28 – June 13
Kai Asakura vs Shooto Watanabe – Bantamweight GP opening round
Hiromasa Ougikubo vs Takeshi Kasugai – Bantamweight GP opening round
Naoki Inoue vs Shintaro Ishiwatari – Bantamweight GP opening round
Yuki Motoya vs Ryo Okada – Bantamweight GP opening round
