Mikuru Asakura vs. Kleber Koike Erbst Added to Rizin 28 Lineup on June 13

A featherweight matchup with title implications has been added to the Rizin Fighting Federation 28 lineup.

The Japanese promotion recently announced that Mikuru Asakura will square off against Kleber Koike Erbst on June 13. Rizin 28 takes place on June 13 at the Tokyo Dome and also features four bouts from the bantamweight grand prix.

During a press conference, Rizin CEO Nobyuki Sakakibara dispelled rumors that Kyoji Horiguchi would return to compete at the event.

“MMA will be making a return to the Tokyo Dome after 18 years so we won't hold back on our cards,” he said. “Horiguchi won't be able to make it so it's natural to bring in our best cards that we can put together at the moment.”

Asakura has been victorious in eight of his nine appearances under the Rizin banner, with his lone defeat coming against Yutaka Saito in a bout for the vacant featherweight crown last April. The 28-year-old Triforce Akasaka representative rebounded with a first-round knockout of Satoshi Yamasu in his most recent outing at Rizin 26 on New Year’s Eve.

A veteran of One Championship, Deep and KSW, Erbst is coming off back-to-back submissions of Kyle Aguon and Kazumasa Majima in his first two Rizin appearances.