Former UFC fighter Todd Duffee (9-4, 1 NC) will be returning to Japan to make his debut for Rizin at Rizin 44. It was announced earlier today at a press conference that Duffee would take on former sumo fighter Tsuyoshi Sudario (7-2). Six other fights that were announced include Kleber Koike (36-6-1, 1 NC) vs Masanori Kanehara (30-14-5) and Spike Carlyle (14-5) vs Yoshinori Horie (12-4). Rizin 44 will be on September 24 from the Saitama Super Arena.
Tsuyoshi Sudario vs Todd Duffee
Todd Duffee had two stints in the UFC. He fought for the promotion as far back as when The Ultimate Fighter aired on Spike TV and when the company was bought by Endeavor. He has the fastest knockout at seven seconds also in the promotion. In between that time, he fought in Dream in Japan to a losing effort to Alistair Overeem. He took a long hiatus due to injuries, surgery, rehab, and other medical issues. His most recent fight was in KSW losing to KSW heavyweight champion Phil De Fries.
Tsuyoshi Sudario is a former sumo wrestler who made his debut in Rizin at Rizin 24. Under the tutelage of Enson Inoue, he also traveled to America to train at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. His most recent fight was a win over Roque Martinez. It was also his first fight to go the distance.
Other Fights
Six other fights were announced including the return of former UFC and Bellator fighter Spike Carlyle taking on Yoshinori Horie. Former Rizin featherweight champion Kleber Koike will take on Masanori Kanehara. Shoma Shibisai (9-3) will take on Romanian Janos Csukas (7-1). Yoshiki Nakahara (17-6) will take on Mikuru Asakura’s hanger on Rikuto Shirakawa (11-8-1). Grapplers will clash when the veteran Kazumasa Majima (15-4) takes on undefeated prospect Takeji Yokoyama (5-0). In a Pancrase vs Shooto affair, Taichi Nakajima (16-12-1) will take on Ryo Okada (17-6-3).
Announced Card
Juntaro Ushiku vs Kyohei Hagiwara
Tsuyoshi Sudario vs Todd Duffee
Kleber Koike vs Masanori Kanehara
Spike Carlyle vs Yoshinori Horie
Shoma Shibisai vs Janos Csukas
Yoshiki Nakahara vs Rikuto Shirakawa
Kazumasa Majima vs Takeji Yokoyama
Taichi Nakajima vs Ryo Okada
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