On New Year’s Eve in Saitama Super Arena, Roberto de Souza will attempt to become just the third fighter in Rizin Fighting Federation history to successfully defend a title.
In the main event of Rizin 33 this Friday, “Roberto Satoshi” faces the resurgent Yusuke Yachi, who has rebounded from a dismal 1-5 run — including a one-sided loss to de Souza last August at Rizin 22 — by winning back-to-back fights to earn a rematch and a title shot. If de Souza emerges with the belt, he will join current atomweight champ Ayaka Hamasaki and former light heavyweight titleholder Jiri Prochazka, who now plies his trade in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, as the only fighters to defend titles since the promotion’s inception six years ago.