After coming up just short in her title bid on New Year’s Eve, Rena Kubota will look to get back in contention when she competes in front of hometown fans on September 10th at Rizin Fighting Federation: “Super Rizin 5” in Osaka, Japan. Kubota faces judoka Natalia “Kuzya” Kuziutina on the card.

Officials announced the super atomweight matchup this week. Kubota, who has long been a top star in Rizin, was submitted by Seika Izawa on New Year’s Eve after nearly knocking Izawa out in the opening minute. Kuziutina won her Rizin debut in impressive fashion by submitting Ayaka Hamasaki.

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Two popular prospects are set to collide on August 11th when striker Keito “Kate Lotus” Oyama takes on grappler Noeru “Noel” Narita at Rizin Fighting Federation 54 in Tokyo, Japan. The super atomweight showdown between the two fan favourites was officially announced earlier this week.

Oyama, who has developed a massive fan following during her relatively short MMA career, has tasted defeat just once in her past six fights and has made rapid improvements to her overall game. Narita, who just celebrated her 18th birthday, has submitted back-to-back opponents in Rizin bouts.

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With the Rizin women’s super atomweight title vacated, three contender’s bouts have been announced for the upcoming Rizin Fighting Federation: “Landmark Vol. 15” event on July 18th in Hiroshima, Japan. In one, Si Woo “Korean Queen Bee” Park clashes with Moeri “Black Diamond” Suda.

Also confirmed for the event this week was a pivotal rematch between recent Rizin title challenger Saori “Little Giant” Oshima and Ye Ji Lee, who upset Oshima 13 months ago. Elsewhere on next month’s card, striker Namiko “Hime” Kawabata takes on prospect Ayane “Barbie” Hirata.

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