On Wednesday, multiple bouts for the show were announced, by both promotion officials and a number of the fighters involved. Among them, UFC veteran Yoshinori Horie (12-3) will return, taking on Vugar Karamov (17-4) of Azerbaijan.

Horie competed once under the UFC banner, losing a fight against Hakeem Dawodu at UFC 240 in 2019. Since then, he has posted a 4-1 record fighting in Pancrase and RIZIN, the latter of which has housed his last three bouts.

Karamov, who previously competed for Bellator MMA, is 3-1 under the RIZIN banner to date.

Kickboxing standout Kouzi will also return at the event, taking on Ryusei Ashizawa. No ruleset has been officially announced for that match-up. However, Kouzi certainly didn’t have nice things to say in a quote attributed to the fighter regarding his opponent.

“I have many followers and supporters from my K-1 days so I want to meet their expectations. I mentioned Ashizawa but he’s weak as hell. You can [touch] his face and he’ll go down. I have no interest in fighting him but if that’s what sells, I’ll fight him.”

The full slate of fights, including several kickboxing match-ups, announced by the promotion is as follows:

• Kouzi vs. Ryusei Ashizawa – Ruleset not announced
• Makoto Shinryu vs. Daichi Kitakata
• Vugar Karamov vs. Yoshinori Horie
• Kintaro vs. Koichi Ishizuka
• Yusaku Nakamura vs. Mehman Mamedov
• Shun vs. Motoki — kickboxing
• Shingeki no Yuuki vs. Sota “Cerberus” Kimura — kickboxing
• Asataro vs. Shin Sakurai — kickboxing (opening fight)

RIZIN 41 is expected to take place at the Maruzen Intec Arena in Osaka, Japan on April 1, 2023.

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In a press release Monday following a press conference in Japan, promotion officials confirmed the involvement of both Gomi and Tenshin on the New Year’s Eve card. In addition, RIZIN also announced the availability of an English language live stream, featuring commentary by Frank Trigg and Joe Ferraro.

In the first of the two fight announcements, Tenshin Nasukawa (39-0 kickboxing) will return to the ring against an opponent to be announced. While Kumandoi Phetjaroenvit was briefly listed as the opponent on RIZIN social media, that post has since been removed.

Takanori Gomi, meanwhile, will take part in an exhibition bout against kickboxer Kouzi (Koji Tanaka) in what is being billed as a “RIZIN Special Standing Bout.” Per RIZIN’s press release, “Both fighters will only be allowed to punch with the exception of back fist blows. Both fighters will be bare footed and the bout will consist of three, 3 minute rounds with no decisions.”

Now 42-years old, Gomi (36-15, 1 NC) became a legend in PRIDE in the early part of his career. Upon arrival in the UFC, however, Gomi struggled, compiling a 4-9 record from 2010 to 2017. After a six-fight losing skid at the tail end of his career, Gomi got back in the win column in July 2018 by defeating Melvin Guillard at RIZIN 11.

Gomi has not fought since.

RIZIN 26 takes place December 31, 2020 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The card is headlined by a rematch between Kyoji Horiguchi and Kai Asakura. The English-language stream will be available exclusively via Live-Now.

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On Wednesday, RIZIN Fighting Federation announced following a press conference in Japan that RIZIN 24 would take place on September 27 in Saitama at the famed Saitama Super Arena. Once again, the event is expected to feature spectators in the stands, although in a limited capacity and with enhanced safety precautions. Athletes will also be tested, as the coronavirus continues to hamper sporting events, and everyday life, around the globe.

Fight announcement for RIZIN.24

Tenshin Nasukawa vs. Kouzi#RIZIN #RIZINFF #RIZIN24 pic.twitter.com/LNTEgXpNUA

— RIZIN.tv (@RIZINTV_) August 26, 2020

Only a single fight was announced Wednesday for the RIZIN 24 card: Kickboxing prodigy Tenshin Nasukawa (37-0) will take on Osaka’s Kouzi (28-13).

Kouzi (Koji Tanaka) is a former ISKA World Lightweight Champion and HEAT Kick Lightweight Champion. He’s almost certainly one of Nasukawa’s toughest tests to date. The fighter actually called out Tenshin back at RIZIN 22.

Nasukawa, still just 22-years old, has been one of RIZIN’s breakout stars over the years. That resulted in the youngster being booked into an exhibition boxing match with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather on New Year’s Eve 2018. The bout ended with Nasukawa’s corner throwing in the towel, after being dropped three times by “Money.” The spectacle was broadcast only in Japan, and heavily criticized as a farce, especially when it when initially positioned as Mayweather’s return to the ring.

RIZIN returned to action earlier this month with back-to-back shows in Yokohama. RIZIN 22 and RIZIN 23 featured names like Yusuke Yachi, Ayaka Hamasaki, and Kai Asakura.

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