The RIZIN fight organization in Japan have now finally settled on an official opponent for Manny Pacquiao after a last minute change.
Pacquiao was previously set to fight a young dual MMA and kickboxing champion from Japan.
However over the last week now the RIZIN official website has consistently settled on the following opponent of Rukiya Anpo:
- Rukiya Anpo is a former K1 Champion
- He is Japanese, 28-years-old and has competed in the super-lightweight and welterweight divisions of K1
- He is a kickboxer through and through but had one MMA fight ever and lost it by submission
- As he is a stand-up fighter likely he will offer more of a test for Pacquiao over the three rounds compared to the previous opponent who was pulled
- His kickboxing record is 27-5-1-14 KO
Overall, a solid warmup for what then could be a potential challenge for the world title before the end of the year.
