On December 31, 2023, the RIZIN DECADE Mixed Martial Arts event will take center stage at the Saitama Super Arena, showcasing thrilling matchups, most prominently featuring Rukiya Anbo taking on Sina Kalimian. This highly anticipated clash marks the replacement for Anbo’s originally scheduled fight against Ryan Garcia, who sustained an injury during training.
Rukiya Anbo, the fourth K-1 WORLD GP Super Lightweight Champion, gained notoriety for his electrifying fighting style and remarkable performances. His recent bout against the legendary Manny Pacquiao ended in a draw, solidifying his reputation as not just another fighter, but as someone capable of going toe-to-toe with boxing's elite. Anbo had initially been gearing up to fight Garcia, whose right wrist injury postponed their match to the spring of 2025, pushing Anbo to accept the challenge of Kalimian.
Sina Kalimian, on the other hand, is recognized as the first and third K-1 WORLD GP Cruiserweight Champion. Although he recently faced setbacks, including a KO loss to Ryu Tsar and controversies surrounding earlier matches, his pedigree as two-time champion remains intact. Kalimian is notorious for stirring up drama, and these recent challenges haven't deterred him from returning to the ring.
The two fighters will face each other under special RIZIN rules—a standing bout format scheduled for six rounds, each lasting two minutes, with bouts decided by judges’ scorecards if the fight goes the distance. This unique setup adds another layer of excitement to the event, allowing both fighters to showcase their strengths.
Both Anbo and Kalimian engaged in heated verbal exchanges during their recent remote press conference, adding intriguing tension to the matchup. Anbo minced no words, stating emphatically, "Kalimian is the king of fouls. He has no respect whatsoever. He is not the kind of opponent who can stand before me, as I've been training hard for the Garcia fight. I want to knock him out spectacularly!" This sentiment shows Anbo's confidence as he enters what seems to be the biggest fight of his career.
Kalimian, not to be outdone, responded with his characteristic bravado, saying, "I knocked out Kiyotaro with boxing. This time I think I’ll teach him boxing too. I’m not one for fouling but rather for being handsome." His remarks hint at his playful approach to rivalry, yet it belies the seriousness with which he approaches each fight.
Fans eagerly await how these contrasting personalities will clash inside the octagon. Anbo is known for his intense training regimen, aiming to outmaneuver his opponents with agility and speed. Conversely, Kalimian's approach includes leveraging his size and experience derived from years competing at the highest levels. How these strategies will play out remains one of the most compelling aspects of the RIZIN DECADE event.
Aside from the spotlight match, the event features several other bouts, making it even more noteworthy. Among the additional fights, notable pairings include Kazuki Hosokawa against Masashige Usami and Ao Noda facing Tatsuaki Shinozuka, among others, showcasing the depth of talent being featured on New Year's Eve. The full fight card consists of:
- Rukiya Anbo vs. Sina Kalimian
- Kazuki Hosokawa vs. Masashige Usami
- Ao Noda vs. Tatsuaki Shinozuka
- Daichi Tomizawa vs. Takuto Miura
- YURA vs. Yasuhiro Ashikawa
- Atsuki Yasunaka vs. Kurobara-kun
- Hiroto Gomei vs. Playboy Koki Akada
- Chihiro Suzuki vs. Kleber Koike
- Kyoshi Horiguchi vs. Encaji Muro Zulu
- Roberto Satoshi Souza vs. Vugar Khalilov
- Seika Izawa vs. Lucia Abdelkarim
- Yuki Motohashi vs. Kyoka Shinomiya
- Yuta Kubo vs. Rajabali Shavkuddinov
- YA-MAN vs. Karsaga Dautbek
- Ryuhaku Fukuda vs. Ryusei Ashizawa
- Mikio Ueda vs. Kim Tain
- Makoto Shinjuro vs. Jose Torres
- Yusuke Yachi vs. Sora Nakagawa
- Takashi Ikeda vs. Samuto Nakada
- Hikari Kuroda vs. Usami Kudo
The RIZIN DECADE event promises to enthrall mixed martial arts enthusiasts, not only with its featured fighters but also with the sheer showcase of martial artistry across its entire card. The anticipation builds as these fighters prepare for what is sure to be another landmark event for RIZIN.
