Japan’s continuing battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, extending a “state of emergency” until May 31, has forced RIZIN Fighting Federation CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara to postpone another event.
Weeks after the company moved RIZIN 28 from May 23 to June 13, RIZIN 29 has now been officially pushed from May 30 to June 27, the promotion announced Wednesday. The card will take place at the Maruzen Intec Arena in Osaka, Japan.
“I have made the decision to postpone the event after consulting with the fighters, staff and organizers,” Sakakibara stated in a release. “Everyone was willing to adapt and put on a show for the fans a month later.”
“It has been nearly a year with reduced attendance,” he added, “but the fans presence and support is what pushes the fighters to put on the best shows.”
RIZIN 29 will feature four bantamweight grand prix bouts, as well as a four-man kickboxing tournament. Check the current lineup below.
RIZIN Bantamweight GP opening round
Kintaro vs. Kuya Ito
Takafumi Otsuka vs. Shian
Kazuma Kuramoto vs. Alan Hiro Yamaniha
Kenta Takizawa vs. Kazunari Imanari
MMA
Yusuke Yachi vs. Yuki Kawana
Rikuto Shirakawa vs. Jin Aoi
Four-man kickboxing tournament
Kouzi vs. Genji Umeno
Taiju Shiratori vs. Ryo Takahashi