Chihiro Suzuki, a prominent figure in RIZIN, anticipates a surge in his recognition following Patricio Pitbull`s accomplishments in the UFC. Suzuki achieved a notable victory by knocking out the Bellator champion, Pitbull, in a non-title bout in July of the previous year.
Pitbull, previously a two-division champion in Bellator and victor over Kleber Koike, Suzuki`s rival, is embarking on a new phase of his career in the UFC. His debut is set for April 12th against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 314, a match with potential title implications. Meanwhile, Suzuki is preparing for his RIZIN 50 fight against Karshyga Dautbek and is optimistic about Pitbull`s future in the UFC.
“I am confident he will excel,” Suzuki stated in an interview. “Pitbull`s credentials and achievements speak volumes. Despite my win against him, I acknowledge his capabilities and believe he is destined for UFC success.”
Suzuki has demonstrated impressive performance in RIZIN, with an 8-2-1 (no contest) record, including title victories over Masanori Kanehara and Vugar Karamov.
“It`s a natural progression that Pitbull`s UFC wins will elevate my standing,” Suzuki explained. “His success on a larger platform directly increases my own value. This is a common dynamic in competitive sports. I hope this scenario unfolds, and should Pitbull become a UFC champion, a rematch would be well-deserved.”
The transition from RIZIN to the UFC isn`t unprecedented, with examples like Kai Asakura`s UFC flyweight title challenge against Alexandre Pantoja in 2024. Kyoji Horiguchi is also rumored for a potential UFC return. Suzuki remains open to a UFC move in the future, contingent on various factors.
“My decision hinges on the RIZIN fanbase,” Suzuki commented. “If they support my move to the UFC, I would seriously consider it. However, if their preference is for me to continue competing in RIZIN, I will honor that.”
Currently, Suzuki`s focus is on his upcoming fight with Dautbek in Kagawa, where he predicts a swift knockout victory in the first round.
“My confidence stems from past achievements, including knocking out Pitbull, a world champion,” Suzuki asserted. “This victory reinforces my belief in my abilities. I`ve accomplished what many couldn`t, fueling my confidence to repeat such feats.”
Suzuki`s recent defeat was in a title defense against Koike in December. He acknowledges gaining valuable insights into ground fighting from that experience. To enhance his MMA skills, Suzuki has joined Koike`s team in Japan for training, alongside Koike and Roberto Satoshi.
“Learning from Koike, the current champion, is essential for me to overcome him,” Suzuki explained. “Experiencing a loss after a long winning streak motivated me to improve, and learning from my defeater seemed the most effective path to progress.”
“Seeking improvement and learning from my weaknesses, which Koike exploited, are my primary goals to advance my skills.”
While a trilogy fight with Koike is a possibility, Suzuki prioritizes defending the RIZIN featherweight division against international fighters.
“Initially, training together didn`t deter me from a potential rematch with Koike,” Suzuki mentioned. “However, our training sessions fostered a sense of camaraderie. Unless absolutely necessary, I`d prefer not to fight him immediately. If he remains champion when I earn a title shot, I will compete, but my perspective has evolved.”
“We now share a common objective: to defend RIZIN`s featherweight division against the influx of formidable international fighters. We aim to repel these ‘invaders’ and then, if a fight between us becomes inevitable, approach it with sportsmanship. Trash talk and animosity are prevalent in MMA today, but we can showcase the beauty of genuine sportsmanship and respect.”
“Should a fight with Kleber materialize, we can demonstrate the art of martial arts with mutual respect and skill. This offers a different facet of MMA, beyond the usual negativity.”
