Ren Hiramoto has stated he prefers a fight with Dautbek over Chihiro Suzuki for his comeback, calling Dautbek an attractive opponent on an 11-fight winning streak. Hiramoto argued the matchup would carry greater global weight and serve as a stronger statement to the UFC. He also questioned whether he, rather than Kyohei Hagiwara, should have been selected to face Dautbek.
Ren Hiramoto has publicly called for a fight against Dautbek instead of Chihiro Suzuki, framing the matchup as a more meaningful step toward earning UFC attention.
Speaking out ahead of his planned comeback, Hiramoto described Dautbek as an attractive opponent on the strength of an 11-fight winning streak. He argued that a victory over Dautbek would carry greater global weight than a rematch or bout with Suzuki, and that it would serve as a stronger statement to UFC decision-makers watching the regional scene.
Hiramoto also raised a pointed question about the selection process for upcoming matchmaking, suggesting he should have been the one chosen to face Dautbek rather than Kyohei Hagiwara.
Why it matters
- Hiramoto is positioning a fight with Dautbek as a showcase with international reach, not just a regional contest
- Dautbek's reported 11-fight winning streak makes him a credible name that would strengthen any fighter's resume
- The callout puts pressure on promoters and complicates matchmaking around both Hagiwara and Suzuki
- The dispute over who deserves the Dautbek fight reflects broader competition among regional contenders chasing UFC visibility
No verified fighter data was available for either Hiramoto or Dautbek in the AgentMMA database at the time of this report, so precise records and rankings could not be confirmed. The statements reflect Hiramoto's own public position and have not been officially confirmed as a signed or announced bout.
