Yabuki (20-4, 18 KOs) has teased a move up in weight but while pondering his options, the 34-year-old flyweight titleholder will clear a hurdle in Filipino mandatory Miel Fajardo (14-3-2, 12 KOs).

The pair will headline a double world title fight card headed by Ohashi Promotions at the Ebara Wave Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Fajardo stunned Tobias Reyes by first-round stoppage in Argentina on April 11 to earn a championship shot, two years after consecutive 12-round decision defeats at 108 pounds, then flyweight.

The 26-year-old, nicknamed "The Silent Assassin," will return to Japanese shores for the first time since falling short in a wide points loss against Thanongsak Simsri in April 2024 at junior flyweight.

Since their meeting, Thai puncher Simsri has reeled off eight consecutive wins - including an IBF title win and two subsequent defenses - quietly becoming one of the sport's must-see attractions.

WBA strawweight beltholder Takeshi Ishii (12-1, 9 KOs) will make a first 105-pound title defense, just two months after delivering the fastest world title knockout win by a Japanese boxer in history.

His 65-second finish of Wilfredo Mendez surpassed a record held by The Ring's top pound-for-pound boxer Naoya Inoue, who needed 70 seconds to stop Juan Carlos Payano at bantamweight in October 2018.

The 26-year-old champion's opponent will be announced at a later date.

Elsewhere, it will be a family affair for Yabuki. His younger brother and former 130-pound title challenger Masanori Rikiishi (17-2, 12 KOs) returns against the unheralded Melchor Roda (10-6, 6 KOs) from the Philippines.

The rebuild for former world champion Yoshiki Takei (12-1, 8 KOs) continues after Christian Medina scored a fourth-round stoppage at the 30-year-old southpaw's expense for WBO bantamweight honors in September 2025.

Now more physically comfortable at junior featherweight, Takei returns over the eight-round distance again when facing Kenshin Oshima (9-5-1, 5 KOs). Oshima has suffered knockout defeats in each of his last two appearances.

Exciting teenage lightweight prospect Yuga Fujiki (2-0, 2 KOs) will contest a trinket title previously held by Josesito Lopez, Masayuki Ito and Devin Haney among others, as he boxes Ronerick Ballesteros (7-1-1, 6 KOs) over eight.

After winning a split decision in their July title eliminator, New Zealand atomweight Emma Nesbitt (13-1-1, 9 KOs) must prepare for an away day. The 21-year-old contender will seek clarity, rematching Madoka Wada (6-1, 5 KOs) for the right to challenge WBA titlist Isabel Rivero.