Japanese kickboxing ace Rukiya Anpo will parlay his unexpectedly strong performance against Manny Pacquiao into another payday, as Fanmio announced that he’ll meet Ryan Garcia in an exhibition as part of a December 30th PPV. I’ve seen a few places claim it’ll be eight two-minute rounds as opposed to Japan’s usual 3×3 for these things, but haven’t found official confirmation.
The PPV will run you $49.99 and include “an exciting full main card of fights.” That reportedly means the rest of RIZIN DECADE, which currently features Chihiro Suzuki vs Kleber Koike Erbst in the MMA main event and very little else.
Anpo (27-8 Kickboxing) stepped in for Suzuki to face “Pac-Man” in July, utilizing his height and reach in the early going before leaning on his slugging skills to close the show strong. Garcia (24-1, 20 KO) has the advantage of not being in his 40s, but he’s also a absolute trainwreck with severe substance abuse issues. He’d better pray they don’t drug test him because Japan takes that very, very seriously.
Should be entertaining, at least. Anpo’s ballsy enough to try and stop Garcia for real and Garcia can thump even at his worst.