RIZIN.13 on Sunday, 30 September has sold out; over 25,000 seats at Saitama Super Arena will be filled. The Japanese fight scene has not seen an attendance like this since 2011 Yarennoka, held on New Year’s Eve at the same venue.
The RIZIN.13 main event is a Kickboxing bout held between two of the current best fighters in their respected sport. MMA standout Kyoji Horiguchi will be challenging the Kickboxing superstar Tenshin Nasukawa in a kickboxing bout. The fight is often compared to the Superfight which happened 14 years ago when Norifumi KID Yamamoto challenged MASATO in a kickboxing bout that marked spectacular ratings for K1 Dynamite show on NYE. With the recent passing of Kid Yamamoto, this fight now has another meaning to it for many fighters, especially for Horiguchi.
All fighters make weight
[Kickboxing] Tenshin Nasukawa (58.0kg) vs Kyoji Horiguchi (57.9kg)
[MMA] Andy Nguyen (48.8kg) vs Miyuu Yamamoto (48.95kg)
[MMA] Mirko Crocop (109.45kg) vs Roque Martinez (109.05kg)
[MMA] Jiri Prochazka (92.1kg) vs Jake Heun (92.7kg)
[MMA] Mikuru Asakura (66.0kg) vs Karshyga Dautbek (66.0kg)
[MMA]Daron Cruickshank () vs Diego Brandao(92.7kg)
[MMA] Osunaarachi (67.40kg) vs Bob Sapp (147.90kg)
[MMA] Mitsuhisa Sunabe (52.8kg) vs Haruo Ochi (53.0kg)
[MMA] Kai Asakura (58.8kg) vs Topnoi Tiger Muay Thai (58.75kg)
[MMA] Ayaka Hamasaki (48.90) vs Mina Kurobe (48.85kg)
[Kickboxing] Taiga (59.0kg) vs Kento Haraguchi (58.8kg)
[MMA] Yusaku Nakamura (56.75kg) vs Manel Kape (56.85kg)
Quotes
Tenshin Nasukawa – Horiguchi has a style that is totally new for me. I won’t know if he’ll be tough or easy until I actually fight him. I have many weapons hidden up my sleeve. It’s a matter of when I get to use them. I have sparred several traditional Karate fighters and I know their weaknesses now.
Kyoji Horiguchi – This fight will be dedicated to my master and mentor who both have passed recently I wanted to do this to honor Nori san, a fight like when he fought Masato on NYE which created great interest and had great ratings.
Mirko Crocop – My left knee is good. I fight because it’s my job and I have passion. Much opponent is young and hungry for fame and success in RIZIN. But I am also hungry to stay undefeated in RIZIN. He cannot beat me. He is not at my level yet. I like the fact that young fighters are asking for a fight with me. It means I still have value.
Roque Martinez – I am very honored to be facing a Legend like Mirko but I do think that I deserve to fight him. I look to fight a good fight and extend my winning streak.
Jiri Prochazka – My opponent is a typical American who like to throw haymakers. I trained at Allstars MMA, had great sparring sessions with Alexander Gustafson. I have The Book of Five Rings memorized in my head. It is the way I live everyday life.
Jake Heun – I am a striker. I have good wrestling but guys hugging naked is not what the fans want to see. They want to see a FIGHT. I would love to finish the fight with a crazy move. High kick or spinning s*** or soccer ball kick. My opponent is tough and never quits. He has the ability to come back and win any time.
Daron Cruickshank – I am a finisher, I will finish my fights. This fight will be something crazy and fun. I like to strike, he likes to strike. But I’m the taller one this time, which is rare, and I have a longer reach advantage and I plan to utilize the fuck out of that.
Diego Brandao – Wanderlei Silva is my idol and I want to fight like him. My style is ‘If you hit me once, I hit you 3 times.’ When I think about my opponent, my head gets hot. I have no particular impressions, just beat the s*** out of him.
Osunaarashi – “Josh Barnett has taught me very well. Learning everything from the beginning is very hard, but it is rewarding. I won my Sumo debut and I plan to win my MMA debut.
Bob Sapp – This will be the return of the beast. My plan is to stay outside of the Sumo range, and utilize my striking from a distance. I am going to put in everything I can like it’s my last fight.*
Ayaka Hamasaki – My opponent is very gritty and has an amazing heart. She never quits and has endless stamina. She will be hard to deal with. The theme for this fight is to determine the number 1 Atom weight in Japan.”
Mina Kurobe – Look at me and my age, I would have never imagined that I would get an opportunity to fight in RIZIN, where everything is pretty. My strong points are that I will never give up. I am gritty and will never back down. My style may not be pretty, but I fight with my heart.
Nakamura – I am very happy to be fighting under MMA rules. Manel is very explosive and unpredictable so I need to be aware of that. I am a striker also so would be great if I can beat him standing. I want to win this and get on the NYE card. I want to fight the poster by Kai Asakura and take his spot.
Manel Kape – 56.85kg I changed my training environment and now train at AKA Thailand. Much better training a now I live a simple life. No more parties and playing around. I want to train hard right now for my future. I am a perfectionist. Thailand is the perfect environment for me. Still mad about the decision in my last fight, but it is my fault for going to distance. I learn from that and today I will finish.
*Translation: I will quit the first time I am hit.
