Miyata Kazuyuki will be facing Hinata under MIX rules. He promises that he will make it through the 1st round and finish the fight within a minute into round 2.

—How do you feel about fighting under MIX rules
When I said I wanted to fight in RIZIN, I meant MMA rules of course, then at the end I got an offer to participate under MIX rules. But my desire to be part of this event was so strong, I wanted to show my skills and took the offer. I didn’t expected Hinata to be my opponent since he fights in a heavier weight class than me. Just looking at the 70kg fighters in Japan, he is definitely one of the top guys, and is a very dangerous opponent.

—Hinata claims he will kick once every 3 seconds during the first round.
I think Hinata is not an opponent where I can fight strategically nor technically strike against. And if I stay in the pocket he will pick me apart, so I am going have to show lots of movement and not allow a solid target. I have my own child and teach kids at class, so I want to show them a man who keeps moving forward.

—Round 1 is kick boxing rules which will be a disadvantage for you
I will most likely win in MMA rules, so from the fans’ point of view, it would be more interesting to start off with kick boxing rules. I have fought under kickboxing rules before, so I hope to hold my own in the 1st. but realistically I would am thinking on surviving the 1st and going for the finish in the 2nd.

—Will you be able to utilize your experience as a fighter in these rules
I have been training MMA for about 10 years now. I’m not sure how it’s going to go with Hinata, but I’ve put up some fights with kickboxers my size, and I’m very confident that I could finish the fight if it goes to the ground.

—What do you think about the event being broadcasted?
I’ve fought on the big shows ever since my debut in MMA. But I didn’t have much experience back then and many of my fights which were broadcasted, were the fights I lost. But I’ve won most of my fights when they weren’t broadcasted. I know that the rules are harder now and my opponent is tough, but I am more than willing to show how I’ve grown and how I’ve mastered my skills.

—Tell us about your hopes for the upcoming event.
I will do my best to finish a fight within the first minute of the second round. And I really want to show my famous German Suplex during that minute. I know there won’t be enough time but I will try to demonstrate as much technique as I can.