Super RIZIN 6: Can 20-Year-Old Kyoma Akimoto End Rajabali Sheydullaev’s Undefeated Run?

Shimil Umesh

November 3, 2026 · 5 min read

Super RIZIN 6 – RIZIN has officially announced a blockbuster featherweight championship showdown between undefeated champion Rajabali Sheydullaev and rising Japanese prospect Kyoma Akimoto for Super RIZIN 6 on December 31, with the promotion also confirming several major matchups for its New Year’s Eve event.

The championship contest will take place at Vantelin Dome Nagoya in Japan, with Sheydullaev putting his RIZIN featherweight title on the line against the 20-year-old Akimoto. The announcement was made during a press conference in Nagoya on November 3, as RIZIN unveiled a substantial portion of its year-end lineup.

Sheydullaev enters the contest with an unblemished professional record of 20-0 and will be looking to secure his fifth successful defence of the RIZIN featherweight championship. The Kyrgyz fighter has established himself as one of the most dangerous competitors in the division, with 19 of his 20 victories coming by way of stoppage.

The champion has continued to build his reputation through dominant performances against established opposition. His RIZIN run includes a first-round knockout victory over Kleber Koike Erbst to capture the featherweight championship, followed by successful defences against Victor Kolesnik and Mikuru Asakura. He has also strengthened his international standing by winning the PFL featherweight championship against former Bellator champion AJ McKee in September 2026.

Standing opposite him will be one of Japan’s most promising young fighters. Akimoto, who represents Japan Top Team, has compiled a 13-1 professional record and enters the biggest opportunity of his career on a six-fight winning streak.

The 20-year-old has already collected notable victories against experienced opposition, including former RIZIN champion Kleber Koike Erbst and former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix. His performances have quickly elevated him into the conversation surrounding Japan’s next generation of MMA talent.

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Mikuru Asakura and Luiz Gustavo Set for Rematch

Another major announcement for Super RIZIN 6 from the press conference was the rematch between Mikuru Asakura and reigning RIZIN lightweight champion Luiz Gustavo.

The two fighters will meet at the 71kg lightweight limit, seven years after their first encounter at RIZIN 15 in April 2019. Asakura won that contest by unanimous decision, but both competitors have developed significantly since their initial meeting.

Gustavo has since established himself as one of the leading lightweight fighters in RIZIN and captured the division’s championship with a first-round stoppage victory over Ilkhom Nozimov in May 2026. Asakura, meanwhile, remains one of the promotion’s biggest attractions. He most recently defeated Shinya Aoki by first-round TKO at Super RIZIN 5 in September, adding another significant victory to his record.

There is, however, an important detail surrounding the rematch. Gustavo expressed interest in putting his championship on the line, but Asakura indicated that he preferred a non-title contest. RIZIN had not finalised the championship status of the fight at the time of the announcement.

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Saori Oshima and Natalia Kuziutina to Contest Vacant Women’s Title

RIZIN also confirmed a vacant women’s super atomweight championship fight between Saori Oshima and Russian judoka Natalia Kuziutina. The two will compete at 49kg, with the winner becoming the new champion following Seika Izawa’s relinquishing of the title.

Oshima secured her opportunity through a series of strong performances, including a submission victory over Lee Ye-ji. Kuziutina, an Olympic bronze medallist in judo at the 2016 Rio Games, has also made an immediate impression in RIZIN, recording submission victories over Ayaka Hamasaki and RENA in her first two appearances. The matchup brings together two accomplished grapplers with different backgrounds. Oshima has extensive experience in Japanese MMA, while Kuziutina brings an elite international judo pedigree and an impressive start to her professional MMA career.

Chihiro Suzuki Returns Against YA-MAN

Former RIZIN featherweight champion Chihiro Suzuki will also return to action against fellow Japanese fighter YA-MAN. The contest is scheduled at the 66kg featherweight limit under MMA rules, rather than kickboxing rules. Both fighters are recognised for their striking abilities, making this one of the more intriguing domestic matchups on the card.

Suzuki will be looking to rebuild momentum after a difficult run of results, while YA-MAN also enters the contest seeking a return to winning form following his September defeat to Yutaka Saito. For Suzuki, the fight represents an opportunity to remind fans of his championship-level abilities. YA-MAN, meanwhile, has the chance to establish himself with a major victory over a former RIZIN titleholder.

Heavyweight Grand Prix Final Rescheduled

RIZIN has also confirmed that Tsuyoshi Sudario and King Edokpolo will meet in the final of the heavyweight Japan Grand Prix on December 31. The matchup was originally scheduled for RIZIN 55 on November 8 but was postponed after Edokpolo suffered a shoulder injury.

Both fighters earned their places in the final through stoppage victories in August. Sudario defeated Ryo Sakai by first-round TKO, while Edokpolo also advanced through a stoppage victory. The rescheduled contest will take place under MMA rules at the 120kg limit. It gives both heavyweights an opportunity to finish the year with a tournament victory and claim the Japan Grand Prix title.

More Matchups Confirmed for Super RIZIN 6

RIZIN’s November 3 announcement also included several additional matchups featuring established Japanese fighters and emerging prospects.

The confirmed lineup includes:

Rajabali Sheydullaev vs Kyoma Akimoto – RIZIN featherweight championship.
Mikuru Asakura vs Luiz Gustavo – Lightweight contest; title status to be determined.
Saori Oshima vs Natalia Kuziutina – Vacant RIZIN women’s super atomweight championship.
Chihiro Suzuki vs YA-MAN – Featherweight contest.
Tsuyoshi Sudario vs King Edokpolo – Heavyweight Japan Grand Prix final.
Tomoyuki Muramoto vs Asen Yamamoto – Flyweight contest.
HIROYA vs Jo Hiramoto – Flyweight contest.
Hinotori vs Tatsuki Shinotsuka – Flyweight contest.
Daichi Tomizawa vs Donmai Kawabata – 59kg catchweight contest.
Christian Akira Matsuo vs Sora Kaneko – RIZIN Koshien bantamweight final.