Roberto Satoshi expects to scrub out the RIZIN light-weight division earlier than the top of 2025.
Satoshi will battle Yoshinori Horie in the principle occasion of RIZIN 51, which fits down Sunday morning in Nagoya, Japan, and believes there will likely be just one title remaining on the corporate roster after he scores his fifth protection of the 155-pound title.
Shunta Nomura, who beat Patricky Pitbull in July to increase his profitable streak to 5, was the unique opponent for the gold in September, however the turnaround was too brief after the three-round battle with the previous Bellator titleholder.
“I believe so, thank God,” Satoshi informed MMA Combating when requested if he’s about to scrub out the load class in RIZIN. “This opponent is a threat, I can’t underestimate anybody, but when I believe if I have been going to battle Nomura now, I believe there can be nobody else within the division in RIZIN, they must search for somebody on the skin, as a result of I’ve already accomplished all the pieces I needed to do.”
In line with Satoshi, the plan is to beat Horie this weekend after which defend his title towards Nomura on the ultimate card of the yr on Dec. 31.
“I do have this sentiment,” Satoshi mentioned. “This battle after which [Nomura] by the top of the yr and if all goes proper, defeating Horie and Nomura, I believe I’d have cleaned out the division.”
Satoshi made his RIZIN debut in 2019 after a 7-0 run within the Asian circuit and received 12 of 13 bouts underneath the corporate’s banner since. The only setback was a 75-second knockout to Johnny Case, which he efficiently avenged three years later with a first-round armbar end to defend his throne.
The jiu-jitsu specialist has grown into an entire blended martial artist in RIZIN, scoring 5 knockouts and 6 submissions at light-weight. That, he mentioned, makes him an thrilling champion to root for.
“I used to be speaking to my brother and on the similar time that I’m profitable and other people like that, all people needs to see [a champion] lose,” Satoshi mentioned. “Like, ‘Who will take out that man?’ Khabib [Nurmagomedov], for instance. I cherished Khabib. He beat all people, however it will have been loopy if he misplaced, proper? And my brother mentioned, ‘Khabib received, but it surely was at all times the identical recreation. Goes ahead, lands a punch and takes individuals down. It was type of boring.’
“Thank God my fights aren’t like that. I knocked out one man with a head kick, after which I knocked out one other one with a punch, after which tapped one with a triangle. I’m not doing the identical factor again and again. All people’s like, ‘What’s going to occur this time?’ I’ve by no means seen it from this angle earlier than. It’s good to be altering and never doing the identical factor on a regular basis. I’ve been shocking individuals.”
No fighter has defended a title greater than Satoshi in RIZIN. The Brazilian expertise additionally holds the all-time file for many finishes within the promotion, and is tied with the likes of Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipivic and Tofiq Musayev for many knockouts in RIZIN.
“Maintaining this legacy is essential for my historical past,” Satoshi mentioned when requested if he’s contemplating a transfer to a distinct division sooner or later. “My focus is to remain dominant, to show that I’ve received and dominated the division for some time.”
Horie, a one-time UFC veteran, is 5-2 in RIZIN with two of his victories coming by means of knockout. That mentioned, Satoshi doesn’t see him bringing something new to the desk.
“My plan is to do properly on the toes as a result of my opponents are at all times avoiding going to the bottom with me,” Satoshi mentioned. “[Won Bin Ki], the ‘Korean Zombie’ protege I fought earlier this yr, he did just about the identical recreation. Actually, my final three or 4 opponents had the identical combating model.”
0 Feedback
