After the success of lightweight champion Roberto Satoshi and
former featherweight title holder Kleber
Koike Erbst, another Brazilian-Japanese fighter, middleweight
Igor
Tanabe (3-0), is quickly gaining a lot of attention in Rizin
Fighting Federation.
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Undefeated in MMA with victories over the experienced Melvin
Manhoef and former Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter
Daichi
Abe, the 23-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace has his sights set
on the Rizin belt.
“Despite having only had one fight at Rizin, I really like the
event. Of course the UFC is a possibility, but I want to be Rizin
champion, which even gives me the opportunity to face fighters from
other promotions,” said the undefeated prospect in an exclusive
interview with Sherdog, referring to the Japanese promotion’s
partnership with Bellator.
Tanabe will have a second opportunity to compete in the Japanese
promotion on Oct. 1, when he will face Koji
Shikuwa (5-9) in the middleweight division. Regardless of the
result, the 23-year-old plans to move down to welterweight for his
third fight in Rizin, eyeing the possibility of a shot at the
title.
“Rizin hasn’t yet talked about opening the middleweight or
welterweight belts, but in this category I think the probability of
having a belt is greater. That’s why I want to go down to [170
pounds] and get that title,” said Tanabe.
At Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye in December 2022, Tanabe submitted the feared
Manhoef with an inverted heel hook in Round 1. Born in São Paulo,
Brazil, while being raised in Japan since he was 3 years old,
“Fatninja” is thrilled that he can finally make a living just from
fighting now. However, reaching this position wasn’t easy.
“I’ve worked in a factory, at McDonald’s… I had problems with the
language too. But today I don’t have any problems, I live by
fighting and I’m grateful to live in this country,” said Tanabe.