Deep already had plans to crown its inaugural strawweight champion in 2016. Now, the company also finds itself in need of a new flyweight ace.
Officials from the Japanese promotion on Tuesday announced that two-time Deep flyweight titleholder Yuki Motoya has vacated his 125-pound title. Motoya, 26, was scheduled to fight Brazilian prospect Allan Nascimento at last week’s Rizin event, but the bout was canceled at the 11th hour after Motoya reportedly suffered health complications related to his weight cut.
The Nagoya native became Deep’s first flyweight champ in 2012 but lost the belt in his first defense against Tatsumitsu Wada.