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Photo via KSW
In a way, Kleber Koike feels like he lives in a no man’s land. Born in Brazil and promoted as Japanese in his days as a KSW featherweight champion in Poland, Koike isn’t seen as Brazilian in his native country nor a Japanese in the country he calls home for 17 years.
Koike hopes to change it on New Year’s Eve, when he makes his RIZIN debut against Kyle Aguon in Saitama.
“I made my name for myself in Europe and I have good attention wherever I go there, and I hope to reach a new audience fighting in Japan now,” Koike said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “Many Brazilians are focused in fighting in Japan because it’s a dream for them. It’s different from fighting in Europe.”