Middleweight Prospect Igor Tanabe Targets Rizin Fighting Federation Title

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. 

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.