Former DREAM champion Hiroyuki Takaya’s opponent has been confirmed as DJ Taiki. He made a bold statement in how he will finish the fight, “I’m pumped to be fighting in the big show again. I am determined to win by KO.”
Yuichiro Nagashima’s fight has been confirmed with the ironman Andy Souwer in MMA rules, he talked about how he wants to put on exciting fights for the fans, “Results will be either a KO win or a KO loss, I’m the one who will restart the stopped time in the Japanese fight scene”.
November 9th, RIZIN WORLD GRAND-PRIX 2015's special sponsor GYAO INC., official logo, and a new fight card was announced. MMA new comer Asen Yamamoto and his grandfather Ikuei Yamamoto, and Kron Gracie's father Rickson Gracie attended the press conference.
It has been confirmed that DJ Taiki will be facing street fighting bancho Hiroyuki Takaya. This is a fight between 2 decorated strikers but DJ declares victory, “I want to show that a geeky looking guy can beat a mean looking guy”. He also talks about his “official” pink jacket.
During Bellator 145, King Mo’s entry to the RIZIN FIGHTING WORLD GRAND-PRIX 2015 and Gabi Garcia vs Lei’D Tapa’s matchup was announced.
2 time DEEP Flyweight champion Yuki Motoya will face South Korean stand out from Road FC, Jim Nam Jo. Motoya stated “I’ll constantly be aggressive, I will show that I am tougher physically and mentally.”
Additional fights were announced at the press conference for RIZIN FIGHTING WORLD GRAND-PRIX 2015 held on November 4th. RENA, Yuki Motoya, Yuichiro Nagashima, DJ Taiki and Hiroyuki Takaya appeared and spoke to the media about their thoughts about fighting at the end of the year.
It is now official that Tsuyoshi Kosaka will participate in RIZIN FIGHTING WORLD GRAND-PRIX2015 SAITAMA 3DAYS. Ever since his retirement in 20006, Kosaka has kept active as a gym owner and MMA commentator. At 45 years old, he claims that he more than ready to make his comeback stating that he is in the “Best shape of his life.”
On October 22nd, former Sumo wrestling champion Kaido Hoovelson aka BARUTO announced his participation in the "RIZIN FIGHTING WORLD GRAND-PRIX SAITAMA 3 DAYS" event. We asked him about his thoughts on his debut in MMA and the process of signing.
On the 24th of October, Wallid Ismail owned JUNGLE FIGHTS 82 was held at the Esporte Clube Sirio in San Paulo Brazil. Sakakibara flew in to watch the 100kg title fight between Bruno Cappelozza and Sandro Da Silva, the fight which will determine who will be participating in the RIZIN FIGHTING WORLD GRAND-PRIX.