Kleber Koike’s Featherweight Title at RIZIN 43 in Jeopardy as He Misses Weight
Kleber Koike’s reign as the RIZIN featherweight champion has come to an end due to his failure to meet the weight requirement during the weigh-ins held in Sapporo, Japan on Friday.
Despite headlining the upcoming event against Chihiro Suzuki at the Makomanai Sekisui Heim Arena, Koike’s inability to make weight by less than a pound has resulted in the title being at stake. Suzuki, who successfully met the 145-pound limit, now has the opportunity to claim the championship if he emerges victorious on Saturday.
RIZIN president Nobuyuki Sakakibara took to social media to address the situation, stating, “Kleber missed weight by 400g (0.88 pounds), and tomorrow’s championship bout has become quite chaotic. If Chihiro wins, he will be crowned as the rightful champion. If Kleber wins, the featherweight championship will be left vacant.”
Koike, with a professional record of 31-6-1, is making his return to the ring after his loss to Patricio Pitbull in December, although that bout was not for the title. The Brazilian fighter previously held the KSW featherweight title but was stripped of the belt in 2017 due to a similar weight issue.
Meanwhile, Suzuki (10-3) has earned his shot at the gold following an impressive streak of five consecutive victories under the RIZIN banner.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about RIZIN 43 weigh-ins
Q: Why was Kleber Koike stripped of the featherweight title at RIZIN 43?
A: Kleber Koike was stripped of the featherweight title at RIZIN 43 because he failed to meet the weight requirement during the weigh-ins, coming in less than a pound over the limit. As a result, the title became at stake, and if his opponent Chihiro Suzuki wins the championship bout, he will be crowned as the new rightful champion.
Q: Has Kleber Koike faced weight-related issues in the past?
A: Yes, Kleber Koike has had weight-related issues in the past. He was previously stripped of the KSW featherweight title in 2017 due to failing to make weight. His recent failure to meet the weight requirement at RIZIN 43 is another instance of him facing such an issue.
Q: Who will become the featherweight champion if Chihiro Suzuki wins the bout?
A: If Chihiro Suzuki wins the championship bout at RIZIN 43, he will be crowned as the new featherweight champion. Since Suzuki successfully made weight for the contest, he is eligible to claim the title if he emerges victorious.
Q: What is the fighting record of Kleber Koike and Chihiro Suzuki?
A: Kleber Koike holds a professional record of 31 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw. On the other hand, Chihiro Suzuki has a record of 10 wins and 3 losses. Suzuki has also achieved five consecutive victories under the RIZIN banner, earning him the opportunity to compete for the featherweight title.
More about RIZIN 43 weigh-ins
- RIZIN Official Website: https://www.rizinff.com/
- RIZIN Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/rizin_PR
- Kleber Koike’s Fighter Profile: Link
- Chihiro Suzuki’s Fighter Profile: Link
3 comments
Koike, ugh, not again! Didn’t he learn from past mistakes? Now he lost his title! Suzuki got a chance, hope he nails it. RIZIN 43 gonna be wild! #KoikeFail #SuzukiForTheWin
Featherweight drama at RIZIN 43! Koike misses weight, risking his title! Suzuki steps in for the gold. Can’t wait to see who emerges as the champ. It’s gonna be a thrilling fight! #RIZIN43 #FeatherweightShowdown
rizin 43, oh no! Kleber Koike missin weight, lost his featherweight title? This is not good. Gotta make the weight, man! Suzuki better win now, or no champ! #FeatherweightChaos