Arina Kobayashi (Japanese: 小林愛理奈, Kobayashi Arina, born 2 November 2000) is a Japanese kickboxer. She is the current RISE Women's Mini Flyweight champion.
As of November 2023, she was ranked the #3 ranked Flyweight and Strawweight kickboxer as well as the #10 pound for pound female kickboxer in the world by Beyond Kickboxing.[2]
Kickboxing career
Kobayashi made her professional debut against Kira Matsutani at RISE Girls Power 2 on February 11, 2020.[3] The fight was ruled a split decision draw.[4]
On January 17, 2021, RISE held an atomweight "Next Challenger" tournament, in order to determine the next challenger for the RISE Women's Atomweight championship on RISE Girls Power 4.[5] Kobayashi was scheduled to face Nana Okuwaki.[6] She defeated Okuwaki by technical knockout in the third round. She advanced to the finals of the one-day tournament, where she faced Koyuki Miyazaki. She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[7]
On April 17, 2021, Kobayashi faced Koto Hiraoka at RISE 148. She won the fight by majority decision.[8]
On November 2, 2022, Kobayashi made her debut in the -49kg division at RISE EVOL 11 against Wakana Miyazaki. She won the fight by unanimous decision.[11]
Kobayashi rematched Koto Hiaroka in an open finger gloves bout at RISE 163 on December 10, 2022. She won the fight by unanimous decision.[12]
On February 23, 2023, Kobayashi faced reigning Shootboxing champion MISAKI at RISE 166: RISE 20th Memorial event. She won the fight by a unanimous decision after scoring a knockdown in the third round.[13]
Kobayashi challenged erika♡ for her RISE Women's Mini Flyweight title at RISE 173 on November 18, 2023.[14] She won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.[15]
Kobayashi faced Wang Chin Long at RISE 175 on January 14, 2024.[16] She won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.[17]
Kobayashi faced Manazo Kobayashi in an open finger gloves bout at RISE 178 on May 19, 2024.[18] She won the fight by a unanimous decision after scoring a knockdown in the second round.[19]
Kobayashi faced Bo-Kyeong Byun at RISE 182 on October 20, 2024.[20] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[21]