Rizin FF 5's Anthony Birchak on fighting 'legend' Tatsuya Kawajiri, his split with UFC

Anthony Birchak received offers from Combate Americas and Absolute Championship Berkut when his UFC contract expired, and the industry leader declined to match the new figures. But he felt the most love from Rizin FF.

“You just feel that sense of want and appreciation of a true warrior and fighter,” Birchak (13-3) told MMAjunkie in advance of his promotional debut for the Japanese upstart, a headliner against Tatsuya Kawajiri (35-11-2) at “Rizin FF 5: Sakura.” “That’s really what made my decision to sign with a Japanese organization.”

The chance to fight a former PRIDE legend didn’t hurt, either. Kawajiri is eyeing one last shot at glory before he hangs up his gloves, and Birchak could be the last person to square off with him in the ring.

“I 100-percent respect his career and everything he’s done in MMA,” Birchak said. “He’s a tremendous fighter, but the respect only goes so far. I refer to him as a legend, and he’s a great fighter, but I’ve got to start drawing the line between him being a bad man and me being a very, very bad man.”

“Rizin FF 5: Sakura” takes place Sunday at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan, and airs on FITE TV.

Birchak is fighting heavier than usual at featherweight, where he previously went 2-1. But even with the extra bulk, he thinks Kawajiri will have a tough time utilizing the ground and pound skills he was known for during his heyday.

“I think I’m a lot more dynamic than Tatsuya at 145,” Birchak said. “I’m a more mobile, dangerous fighter than him. He’s kind of one-dimensional, and I think I just bring way too much to the table.”

A win over Kawajiri would be a nice addition to his resume, and Birchak feels as committed as he can possibly be to making a name in Japan. Could he eventually return to the UFC, after the way he left things? It depends.

“I would never say I would never go back,” Birchak said. “It just has to be on the correct terms. But I think there’s a lot of growing pains going on in the UFC.

“I’m not badmouthing them; I think everyone’s confused. I don’t really think the direction they’re going right now is the direction I want to go. I’m going to let the dust settle and the new ownership settle before ever going back or even thinking about going back.”

In the meantime, he’s going to take on a bad man and prove he’s even badder.

For more on Rizin FF 5, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.