Rizin Fighting Federation has announced a bout between two legendary mixed martial arts families as Kron Gracie will welcome newcomer, 19-year-old Asen Yamamoto in the Rizin ring.

This morning Rizin Fighting Federation held a press conference that featured MMA newcomer and wrestling phenom Asen Yamamoto joined by his grandfather and former Olympic wrestler Ikuei Yamamoto as well as the legendary Rickson Gracie on behalf of his son Kron Gracie.

Rizin General Manager Nobuhiko Takada had this to say about the match-up:

“We have booked such a great fight. Korn Gracie vs Asen Yamamoto. This

is a very dramatic and simple matchup for the viewers.” said Takada

and continued, “this fight has already created a different buzz and

atmosphere that the matchups we have so far. Just imagining the

outcome sends chills down my spine. of course they are fighting as

individuals, but also for their family. I want them to fight a fight

where people will talk about years from now, for them, for their

family and for their country. We, the Rizin team would also like to

move forward in creating the future of MMA with these two. “

Asen and Ikuei Yamamoto had this to say about the fight:

“Spectators may just think that this is a fight between two families,

but for me, I don’t want to lose as a Japanese fighter, and as a

fighter Asen, so my plan is to beat him up and get my hand raised.”

(Asen Yamamoto) “Asen’s good part is that he never backs down. Ever since he started

wrestling at the age of 3 and until he became world champion, he has

never backed down. He traveled to Hungary and learned European style

wrestling, and the spirit as a fighter. He also grew up in an

environment surrounded by the Yamato Damashi spirit. The Gracie family

is also an amazing family so I believe the fight is going to be an

extremely exciting fight. I will observe this fight with my own eyes.”

(Ikuei Yamamoto)

Kron (via video message) and Rickson Gracie also had some comments regarding the match-up:

“I would like to thank Mr. Sakakibara for giving me, Kron and the

Gracie family to participate with Rizin. And I am very happy that

Akron was given an opportunity to fight Asen. Kron is training hard

and is in great shape so he will bring 100% to the ring. This fight

will be a fight that will determine the future of MMA. The modern MMA

rules take away the Bushido Spirit from the fighters by their short

rounds and point system. And the cage becomes the 3rd element and

takes away from realistic fighting situation. But Rizin will bring

back the longer rounds and the ring with ropes. This will emphasize

the fighters to finish which will bring back the true warrior spirit

to the fighters and I am very happy for that.” (Rickson Gracie) Kron Gracie could not make it to Tokyo since he was in training camp

but left a video message,“Asen is a tough wrestler, he’s a young up

and coming kid. Kind of like me. But the opponent really doesn’t

matter, because my opponent is always the same, which is my mind.”

after watchng the video, Asen commented “Kron is the world’s top

grappler and I respect him for that. But once we get in the ring there

is no friendship, or anything. If he is coming to fight me with his

head, I will fight with my heart. I will give him everything I have to

crush him.”

This bout will take place on December 29 in Saitama, Japan to open the three-day Rizin GP.

As well as the Yamamoto/Gracie match-up, Rizin also showcased their official logo for the first time.

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