Lindsey VanZandt vs. Rena Kubota rematch set for Rizin FF 20

After losing to Lindsey VanZandt at Bellator 222, Rena Kubota is going to get a rematch on her home soil.

Rizin officials today announced that VanZandt and Kubota will meet at Rizin FF 20, which takes place Dec. 31 at Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

Kubota traveled to New York for this past June’s Bellator 222 event, where she received an unpleasant welcome, and submitted to a VanZandt rear-naked choke in the first round. Kubota bounced back in scintillating fashion, needing just 20 seconds to score a TKO win over Alexandra Alvare at this past October’s Rizin FF 19.

Meanwhile, VanZandt went the opposite direction after the pair’s first meeting, suffering a split-decision loss to Jessica Delboni at August’s Invicta FC 36. However, she did return to the win column in October, when Invicta FC 37 opponent Shino VanHoose suffered a leg injury.

With the addition to the card, Rizin FF 20 now includes:

• Kai Asakura vs. opponent TBA – for vacant bantamweight title
• Champ Ayaka Hamasaki vs. Seo Hee Ham – for super atomweight title
• Johnny Case vs. Tofiq Musaev – lightweight grand prix semifinal
• Patricky Freire vs. Luiz Gustavo – lightweight grand prix semifinal
• Patrick Mix vs. Yuki Motoya
• Mikuru Asakura vs. John Teixeira
• Rena Kubota vs. Lindsey VanZandt