Hiramoto Ren, a well-known figure in Japanese mixed martial arts, addressed doping allegations at a self-organized press conference held at a hotel in Tokyo on Monday, September 2, 2024, starting at 6:00 p.m. The allegations stem from accusations made by MMA fighter Akazawa Yukinori on social media, suggesting Hiramoto’s involvement in doping ahead of his recent match. The event featured Hiramoto alongside his legal team, including Yoshino Genta and Nari Gotetsu from Nozomi General Law Office.
Hiramoto expressed his reasons for holding the press conference, emphasizing his desire to address the matter personally. He apologized for any distress caused, particularly to the martial arts community, including RIZIN, his recent opponent Asakura Mikuru, and fans who attended the “Cho RIZIN.3” event at Saitama Super Arena. He firmly denied the allegations, stating that he had never engaged in doping or requested any performance-enhancing substances.
The controversy arose following Hiramoto’s victory over Asakura at the main event of “Cho RIZIN.3,” held on July 28, 2024. The match, which saw Hiramoto defeat Asakura by TKO in the first round, was a highlight of the event attended by over 48,000 spectators. As part of the RIZIN LMS (Last Man Standing) championship, both fighters were required to disclose their drug test results, leading to speculation on social media regarding Hiramoto’s involvement in doping.
RIZIN CEO Sakakibara addressed the issue on August 31, 2024, announcing plans to hold a press conference to discuss the doping test results. He requested patience from the public as the organization reviewed the findings. While the accusations continue to circulate online, Hiramoto’s statements aimed to clarify his position and reassure fans of his commitment to fair competition.
The situation remains under scrutiny as the martial arts community awaits RIZIN’s official response regarding the doping test results.