Anthony Birchak vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri, more added to Rizin FF event in April

Rizin FF has announced several new bouts for its upcoming card in April, including many former UFC fighters. The promotion announced the news through its website.

Rizin FF booked former UFC fighters Anthony Birchak and Tatsuya Kawajiri to a featherweight contest. Birchak, a bantamweight fighter, will be moving up to the 145-pound weight class to face the Japanese fighter.

The fight with Kawajiri marks Birchak’s promotional debut and first fight since leaving the UFC back in 2016. Birchak is coming off a win over Dileno Lopes at UFC Fight Night 90 in August, and has a professional record of 11-3. Meanhile, Kawajiri, who also fought for the UFC in 2016, is coming off a loss to Kron Gracie at Rizin FF’s New Year event. With the loss to Gracie, the 38-year-old Kawajiri now has a professional record of 35-10-2.

Rizin 2017 in Yokohama: Sakura event is scheduled to take place on April 16 at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan. Former UFC title challenger Kyoji Horiguchi is set to make his Rizin FF debut against Yuki Motoya in the main event of the card, which MMA Fighting reported in February.

The additional bouts announced for the card go as follow:

• Daron Cruickshank vs. Yusuke Yachi
• Heath Herring vs. Satoshi Ishii
• Tenshin Nasukawa vs. Franchesco Ghigliotti
• Kanna Asakura vs. Alexandra Toncheva
• Saori Ishioka vs. Bestare Kicaj
• Jazzy Gabert vs. Reina Miura
• Rena Kubota vs. TBD