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Joe Ferraro is a stalwart in Canadian mixed martial arts and for years has helmed the position of Rizin play-by-play commentator. Rizin 45 looms closer and continues the rich tradition of New Year's Eve events in combat sports in Japan.

Ferraro appeared on Bowks Talking Bouts to discuss: -Rizin Azerbaijan transpiring relatively recently and how important that first international card was for the company overall

-The Juan Archuleta vs Kai Asakura bantamweight title bout

-Kyoji Horiguchi vs Makoto Shinryu II being for flyweight gold and if the inauspicious nature of the first fight may inform the sequel

-Hiromasa Ougikubo versus John Dodson in all likelihood being a 125 pound title eliminator

-Kleber Koike embarking on his comeback path back to RFF featherweight gold against Yutaka Saito

-Seika Izawa being the present champion and combatant of the future as the established Miyuu Yamamoto has her MMA swan song

-The MMA debut of Tenshin's brother, Ryujin Nasukawa here

-Sensing from the fighters how important being on the NYE card is

-The NYE tradition of sumo wrestlers fighting and Sudario being that next generation of sumo practitioner in mixed martial arts

-The importance of a Japanese MMA federation and co-promoting with other organizations in the country

-Enson Inoue mentoring Sudario and Inoue saving Showdown Joe several times while overseas