Two of the most proficient women currently active in RISE will both fight in separate bouts in two months, possibly as a prelude to a fourth fight between the pair.
RISE Atomweight (-46 kg) champion Koyuki Miyazaki, who’s currently on a 13-fight win streak and is ranked as the second-best female fighter in the world, will face WBC Muay Thai International champion Tan Xuan Yun, who boasts 16 wins in 23 appearances in mostly muay thai fights.
Miyazaki appeared dismissive both of her current opponent and her past opponent, stating: Honestly, when the offer came it wasn't for the opponent I wanted to fight, but in order to fulfill my dream in the upcoming year of fighting in a world title fight or a world tournament I calculated there was no way around taking this fight… As of now 46kg is where I'm at my best, I've proven I'm the best in Japan but I've yet to prove I'm the best in the world so I'd like to start there.
RISE Mini Flyweight (-49 kg) champion Arina Kobayashi will move up in order to challenge the Flyweight (-52 kg) champion Tessa De Kom. One of the harder hitters at the lower weights, Kobayashi earned herself a place among the pound-for-pound ranked with a six-fight win streak that cleaned out her division. de Kom will certainly be her hardest challenge since facing Misaki Morita, especially considering the large height advantage of 12 centimeters the Dutchwoman will have, which might be crucial in earning her the most notable win on her record.
Regarding the weight difference, Kobayashi said: In the past, I competed in Karate and fought against adults exclusively, so things like weight difference or the size of my opponent aren't things I think about. She went of comment on Miyazaki as well, I'm not going to ask for the fight, but if the people want to see it I would like to do it again.
RISE executive Takashi Ito did hint at the possibility of pairing them up, saying in response to a reporter question: They're the top two… If the opportunity arises and fans want to see it, there's a possibility it happens next year.
