K-1 VS. RISE – Cross-Promotional Kickboxing Showdown
Yesterday’s joint K-1 and RISE announcements have fulfilled the cross-promotional expectations that kickboxing fans have had since the historic THE MATCH took place almost two years ago. The best fighters from each organization will face off against their promotional counterparts in a series of highly anticipated matchups.
Featherweight Title Unification
The first of the five revealed bouts will feature K-1 Featherweight (-57.5 KG) champion Taito Gunji taking on RISE Featherweight champion Keisuke Monguchi. Gunji is currently on an 11-fight winning streak, while Monguchi has been undefeated in his last six outings. Between the two of them, they have beaten nine fighters who have at one point or another featured in the divisional rankings. This fight will definitively determine the king of the division, and both fighters are fully aware of the significance of the matchup.
“As I said, the final chapter of the Featherweight unification is underway, so I’ll win and then set my sights on the world,” – Taito Gunji
“I’ve almost completed the unification.” – Keisuke Monguchi
Women’s Atomweight Showdown
In another highly anticipated clash, two pound-for-pound ranked women will face each other on the undercard as RISE Atomweight (-46 KG) champion Koyuki Miyazaki takes on K-1 Atomweight champion Miyuu Sugawara. Like the Featherweight pair, they have distinguished themselves as the clear cream of the division, and the winner will earn the right to call herself the best Japanese fighter and possibly the best fighter in the world.
“I’ll make those who say ‘it’s women? Let’s go to the convenience store’ or ‘let’s go to the bathroom’ regret it, so please look forward to my fight.” – Koyuki Miyazaki
Full Fight Card
The full fight card for the K-1 VS. RISE – K-1 WORLD MAX event is as follows:
- Taito Gunji vs. Keisuke Monguchi – 57.5 KG
- Miyuu Sugawara vs. Koyuki Miyazaki – 45.5 KG
- Yuki Egawa vs. Hyuma Hitachi – 60 KG
- Shoki Kaneda vs. Daiki Toita – 57.5 KG
- Yuta Matsuyama vs. Andrei Haraguchi – 60 KG
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