Rizin returns this weekend on an already jam-packed weekend of combat sports. Rizin 39 will return to Japan’s Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall for a presentation that will lack the star power of the past two nights but will feature a lot of fascinating and exciting matches. There will be a title battle, a massive (pun intended) heavyweight contest, and plenty of veterans vs. rising stars. Best of all, the show is easily accessible abroad via Fite. Let’s take a look at some of the fights that will be shown.
Rizin 39 Start Time and Location:
- Date: Sunday 23 October 2022
- Venue: Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall A, Fukuoka, Japan
- Kick-Off Time: Rizin 39 will Start at 12 am ET | 6 am UK | 5 pm AEDT | 2 pm Local Time
How to watch Rizin 39:
RIZIN.39 will be broadcast live on the following broadcasting stations and distribution platforms on October 23. Both will be available on pay-per-view (pay-per-view).
Broadcast Live: Rizin 39 Live (try it free)
ABEMA
4,000 yen in advance | 4,400 yen on the day of the event *ABEMA premium member-only ticket
ABEMA premium members get 20% off PPV ticket prices with a 14-day free trial registration!
dTV
4,000 yen in advance | 4,500 yen on the day
*This is a member-only ticket (members have a 31-day free trial)
U-NEXT
4,400 yen in advance | 4,900 yen on the day
*When 600 points are accumulated
You may buy PPV tickets with the 600 points you earn when you sign up for the 31-day free trial!
Streaming+ / Paravi / SPOOX / RIZIN STREAM PASS / RIZIN LIVE / Exciting RIZIN
5,000 yen in advance | 5,500 yen at the door
PerfecTV from SKY!
5,500 yen
Rizin 39 Fight Preview:
Kleber Koike against Juntaro Ushiku
This battle has been in the works for a year and will eventually take place at Rizin 39. Rizin provided the photo.
Kleber Koike (30-5-1) has been pursuing Juntaro Ushiku (22-8-1) since he defeated Yutaka Saito to become Rizin featherweight title. Kleber is back in the promotion’s good graces after some backstage troubles with Rizin.
Ushiku, who also owns the Deep featherweight title, is always the underdog. His perseverance, enthusiasm, and ability to escape difficult circumstances earned him the nickname “Fighting Bull.” He isn’t always a finisher, but it’s the little things he does that help him win.
Kleber Koike is Rizin’s finest grappler turned MMA fighter at featherweight. He has won all of his Rizin battles through submission, and a number of his opponents have even passed out. Former KSW champion, his striking has improved dramatically since Bonsai Gym brought in shoot boxer Hirokai Suzuki. “Protect your neck!” as the adage goes.
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The Battle
It’s straightforward. Ushiku must avoid falling to the ground or giving Koike an inch. The submission game will be Koike’s strength in this fight. Whether it’s a guillotine, triangle, or d’arce, one small error by Ushiku could result in his death. Ushiku will have to be careful where he stands. His advantage over Koike will be in striking, and he will undoubtedly rock Koike. He’ll need to use the conventional stick and manoeuvre with caution. Ushiku should have the stamina advantage, therefore the fight should favour him as it progresses.
Hirotaka Nakada against Takahiro Ashida
This bout pits a veteran against a rising star. Rizin provided the photo.
Takahiro Ashida (25-12-2) has been a mainstay in Rizin, going 2-3 in the promotion overall. He is a Brave Gym fighter who is an exceptional grappler who applies persistent and intense pressure in his fights. While his chin is now dubious, he is still an excellent gatekeeper for the division. He is a former Deep featherweight champion, having defeated Kyohei Hagiwara and Masakazu Imanari recently.
Hirotaka Nakada (5-3) has only fought eight times in his professional career, but he has already proven to be an intriguing fighter who applies consistent pressure to his opponents. If necessary, Nakada will engage in a brawl. He has defeated prior generations of featherweights like as Ryo Asami, Issei Tamura, and, most recently, Yojiro Uchimura.
The Battle
This fight will determine where each fighter ranks among Rizin’s featherweights. Both boxers are trying to revenge their previous losses in Rizin. Ashida will come in fast and furious with her aggressive Brave Gym style. Ashida should attempt to bring the fight to the ground. Nakada has struggled with takedowns in prior fights, and someone with Ashida’s expertise should seek to set up takedowns at advantageous periods.
Nakada is always putting pressure on others. and will try to provoke Ashida into a brawl, knowing he has the power to knock him out. All of Nakada’s victories have occurred in the first round when he is at his strongest and most dangerous. If he can avoid Ashida’s grappling in the first round, he’ll be able to earn another swift finish.
Janos Csukas vs. Tsuyoshi Sudario
Both of these competitors’ victories have come in the first round. This fight should go the same way.
Tsuyoshi Sudario (5-1) has proven himself to be the best fighter to convert from sumo to MMA in his brief MMA career. His victories have all been by TKO/KO. He has also substantially slimmed down since his first bout, which has significantly increased his speed.
Janos Csukas (7-0) is a Romanian boxer and MMA fighter who trains full-time at Great Britain Top Team in the UK. While his history isn’t full of high-level opponents, he packs a punch that might have his opponents gazing at the lights.
The Battle
This is a “don’t blink or you’ll miss it” fight. Both boxers have tremendous striking, and one hook, jab, cross, or uppercut can put a stop to it. It all comes down to who lands first. If it goes to the ground, I believe Csukas will be slightly stronger. Sudario will most likely be able to defend any takedowns or efforts to bring it to the ground. This is the co-main event, so if you’re sleepy when this fight begins, get some strong coffee because it will be over shortly.
Boyd Allen vs. Yusuke Yachi
Yusuke Yachi, once Rizin’s golden kid, hopes to go back on track with a victory at Rizin 39.
The Yachi 2.0 experiment was a failed chemical reaction. Yusuke Yachi (23-13) challenged Rizin lightweight champion Roberto Satoshi Souza but lost. He also did not get revenge on Luiz Gustavo this year. He’s trying to get back into the win column with this bout. He is no longer a member of Krazy Bee and now trains at Lotus (coach Satoru Kitaoka) and Reversal Gym Tokyo Standout. Yachi, who used to have a freewheeling attitude and approach to his fights, is now a more technical and calculated combatant.
Boyd Allen (16-4-1) is a South African boxer and MMA competitor. He has ten submission victories and has demonstrated proficient striking. This will be his most high-profile appearance to date, and he intends to make a strong first impression.
The Battle
This duel will be more about Yachi’s current level. He was once one of Rizin’s most intriguing competitors and Kid Yamamoto’s heir apparent, but his losses have come against guys he should have defeated. Coming into this fight, there will be some doubts about where he is mentally. How is his physical condition? What effect will another loss have on his popularity? Remember, he’s the biggest name on the card, and he’s immediately before the co-main event. Boyd Allen only needs to make Yachi uneasy. Yachi’s losses have proved that when he is not in charge of the fight, he is lost. Allen will win this by putting pressure on him, threatening takedowns, and forcing Yachi to engage.
Full Rizin 39 Fight Card
- Juntaro Ushiku (c) takes against Kleber Koike for the Rizin featherweight title.
- Tsuyoshi Sudario vs Janos Csukas
- Yusuke Yachi vs Boyd Allen
- Koji Takeda vs Zach Zane
- Shinji Sasaki vs Sho Patrick Usami
- Daichi Abe vs Yukinari Tamura
- Genji Umeno vs Trent Girdham (kickboxing)
- Takahiro Ashida vs Hirotaka Nakada
- Yoshiki Nakahara vs Akira Haraguchi
- Motonobu Tezuka vs Mehman Mamedov
- Shogo Kuriaki vs Kakeru (kickboxing)
- Reito Bravely vs Koichiro Seki
