Mikuru Asakura and Luiz Gustavo set for lightweight rematch at RIZIN

Mikuru Asakura and Luiz Gustavo will meet in a 71-kilogram match at an upcoming Rizin event, officials announced during a press conference in Nagoya on Nov. 3, 2026. The two fighters previously squared off at Rizin 15 in April 2019, an encounter that Asakura won by decision after dropping Gustavo with a left knee and a right hook.

Sakakibara Outlines Double Main Events for Year End Card

Speaking at the press conference for Super Rizin 6: Shiwasu no Owari Nagoya Gekokujo Matsuri, Rizin CEO Sakakibara outlined plans for the year-end event scheduled for Dec. 31, 2026, at Vantelin Dome Nagoya. Sakakibara designated Rajabali Shaidullaev’s featherweight title defense against Kyoma Akimoto and the Asakura-Gustavo pairing as the evening’s double main events. The final fight order remains under review.

Sakakibara added that the final card lineup will take shape following the Rizin 55 event on Nov. 8, 2026, at LaLa arena Tokyo-Bay in Chiba. The organization expects to finalize between 15 and 16 matches for the New Year’s Eve broadcast, potentially adding the winner of the Makoto Shinryu versus Tony Laramie bout, alongside a prospective matchup between Kleber Koike and Ren Hiramoto.

Title Stakes Disputed in the Lightweight Rematch

During the podium exchange, Gustavo pressed for championship stakes, stating his desire to put his belt on the line. Asakura pushed back against an immediate title fight, noting that he has only competed once in the lightweight division and that division staples such as Satoshi and Nomura deserve consideration. Asakura argued that a victory over the champion without a belt involved is sufficient to prove his standing.

Gustavo captured the Rizin lightweight title in May 2026 by stopping Ilhom Nozimov with a first-round right hook and subsequent punches. Asakura transitioned to lightweight at Super Rizin 5 in September 2026, securing a first-round technical knockout victory after escaping submission attempts from Shinya Aoki.

Shaidullaev Defends Featherweight Title Against Akimoto

In the featherweight title division, undefeated champion Rajabali Shaidullaev will defend his belt against 20-year-old challenger Kyoma Akimoto. Shaidullaev holds an unblemished 20-0 professional record with 19 finishes, most recently defeating A.J. McKee under Rizin rules in September 2026. Akimoto earned his title shot by extending his winning streak to six fights with a victory over Kleber Koike in August 2026.

Akimoto addressed reporters regarding the bout order, requesting that his title fight serve as the semi-main event so that Asakura could headline the show. Shaidullaev acknowledged Akimoto’s youth and momentum but expressed confidence in his own preparation for the year-end defense.

The Nagoya event card also features a women’s super atomweight championship bout between Saori Oshima and Rio 2016 judo bronze medalist Natalia Kuziutina, as well as the heavyweight Japan Grand Prix final between Sudario剛 and Edoporo King. Former featherweight champion Chihiro Suzuki will also return after a layoff of one year and seven months to face YA-MAN in a 66-kilogram bout.