Former RIZIN champions Kleber Koike and Juan Archuleta are set to fight in Tokyo with potential title implications, though Koike believes the promotion favors other fighters like Mikuru Asakura and Ren Hiramoto for business reasons, despite their perceived lower skill levels.
Former RIZIN champions Kleber Koike and Juan Archuleta clash this Sunday at 12 a.m. ET in Tokyo. It’s a three-round bout with title implications.
Koike isn’t entirely convinced the winner will automatically get a shot at Chihiro Suzuki’s RIZIN featherweight belt. However, he believes it’s only a matter of time before he claims that title.
“RIZIN owner [Nobuyuki Sakakibara] has changed his stance,” Koike told MMA Fighting. “Now he’s saying there’s also [Mikuru] Asakura and Ren [Hiramoto] in the mix.”
“They’re superstars here in Japan. Not as skilled as us, but they sell. I get it, that’s business.”
“RIZIN is promoting Chihiro and wants him as champion.”
“He’s done a good job, I’ll give him that. He knocked out [Patricio] Pitbull, though I think it was a lucky shot.”
“He went to Azerbaijan and won [against Vugar Karamov]. He just defeated a guy who beat me [Masanori Kanehara].”
“But RIZIN knows if he fights Archuleta or me, he won’t hold that belt.”
“If he fights Mikuru or Ren, he can win. But whoever wins this fight between Archuleta and me will be Japan’s future champion, no doubt.”
Both Koike and Archuleta lost their titles on the scale in 2023. They missed weight for title defenses against Suzuki and Kai Asakura, respectively.
Unlike Archuleta, who lost by knockout, Koike submitted Suzuki in under three minutes with an armbar. But his victory was overturned to a no-contest due to the weight miss.
Koike also finished Asakura in June 2021.
“Ren is polarizing,” Koike said. “Some people like him, others hate him and want him to lose.”
“He came from kickboxing and has good striking, but his MMA level is horrible. He loses every tough challenge in MMA.”
“RIZIN protects him just like they protect Asakura.”
“Sakakibara can make their path as easy as they want, but they won’t be champions. It’s all about levels, you know?”
“I don’t think they’re championship material. They’re not elite.”
“Even if they do win the belt, they won’t keep it for long. Archuleta would beat both Asakura and Ren.”
“Nobody wants to fight Archuleta, and that’s why I asked for this fight. I want challenges.”
“He’s tough, experienced, a well-rounded MMA fighter. A win over him elevates me to another level.”