Japanese kickboxing promotion RISE announced an expansion of its WORLD SERIES brand following RISE 129 on Saturday, Nov. 17. The series will evolve into two, eight-man tournaments that span three separate events in 2019. Watch the entire press conference here.
Half of the tournament field was announced for the 57-58-kilogram tournament. Japanese’s kickboxing star Tenshin Nasukawa has been announced as a tournament competitor. The 20-year-old pushed his professional record to an outstanding 28 wins and zero defeats with a dominant first-round knockout of former champ Taiki Naito.
The other three announced participants were also victorious at RISE 129. Rodtang Jitmuangnon ran through Japan’s Yuki over the course of three, one-sided rounds, Suakim had his hand raised in a hard-fought battle against exciting Argentinian Ignacio Capllonch, and Japan’s Shiro bested Masahide Kudo in a closely contested bout.
The lone fighter announced for the 61-kilogram tournament field was former K-1 super featherweight world champion Taiga.