Manny Pacquiao signs promotional deal with Japan MMA promotion Rizin

I’m here in the Philippines. RIZIN.15 will have this man involved in a way. We will be ready to announce as I get back to Japan! #rizin15 #MannyPacquiao pic.twitter.com/58lv5xwPMb

— 榊󠄀原信行 Nobuyuki Sakakibara (@nobu_sakakibara) April 7, 2019

MANILA, Philippines—Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao will be the special guest when the Rizin Fighting Federation stages its 15th event on April 21 at Yokohama Arena in Japan.

According to the Japan Times, RFF founder Nobuyuki Sakakibara recently flew to the Philippines where he and Pacquiao agreed to a “promotional deal.”

The Rizin card will feature Japanese rising star Tenshin Nasukawa going up against Filipino Fritz Biagtan in a kickboxing match.

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Nasukawa is best known for fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a three-round boxing exhibition where he lasted for only a round and was knocked down thrice by the former pound-for-pound king.

Meanwhile, Biagtan, who has a 4-1 mixed martial arts record and last fought in the URCC eight months ago, was a fighter personally suggested by Pacquiao himself.

Sakakibara also said he is opening Rizin’s doors for a potential Pacquiao fight in the future.

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Sakakibara already has a possible opponent in Takanori Gomi for Pacquiao if he ever decides to compete in the Japanese MMA promotion.

Gomi is an MMA legend in Japan. He is a former Pride lightweight champion with fighting experience in the UFC. Gomi also has the same age as Pacquiao.