The lights come back on at Yokohama’s Pia Arena as the venue hosts its second event in successive days, with Rizin FF 23 completing the promotion’s double-header as they return with their second post-COVID-19 event, taglined “Calling Over.” The main event features a battle for the vacant Rizin FF bantamweight title, as former title challenger Kai Asakura gets a second successive shot at the vacant 135-pound belt against Hiromasa Ogikubo . Asakura’s first attempt ended in a knockout defeat to Manel Kape, who has since departed the promotion to sign for the UFC. It means the strap is up for grabs once again, and the door has reopened for Asakura (14-2), who will now face Ogikubo (20-4-2), who booked his place in the title fight with a pair of split-decision victories over fellow contenders Yuki Motoya and Shintaro Ishiwatari last year at Rizin FF 17 and 20 respectively.
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