RIZIN Champ Yutaka Saito Heats Things Up — Sauna Date with a Seductive International Star!

He once said, “That kind of time has passed for me.”

You could truly call this place a hidden retreat.

This sauna, quietly operating in a corner of Minato Ward, offers such a calm and luxurious space that it makes you forget you’re in the city. Surrounded by meticulously polished furnishings, guests can relax without worrying about being seen, with both food and drinks provided freely. For celebrities, it’s worth paying a rate that’s a full digit higher than the usual.

One hot late-summer afternoon, a couple emerged after spending a relaxing time there. The man striding confidently beside a voluptuous beauty wrapped in a pure white dress was the muscular fighter Hiroshi Saito (37).

Huh? Saito, wasn’t he the one who said—

“I don’t have any desire to get married. I don’t think I’m suited for that kind of thing. I’m pretty lazy. I often don’t reply to messages. I think it’d be hard for the other person.”

“I’ve lived my life pretty pragmatically. Maybe if I had quit (fighting) earlier, it could’ve happened, but I think that kind of time has already passed. I might just keep going like this until I’m 50.”

It’s been a year since Saito, who defeated the red-hot Mikuru Asakura (33) after his seven-fight winning streak to become RIZIN’s first-ever featherweight champion, has been away from the RIZIN ring.

The reason is that since January this year, he’s been busy with everything from preparation to management and menu development for his ramen shop “MenZIN Saito,” which opened in Akihabara. Still, RIZIN, which greatly values Saito’s strong female fanbase, would love to see him return.

So, on RIZIN’s official YouTube channel “RIZIN FIGHTING FEDERATION,” President Nobuyuki Sakakibara (61)and a female assistant visited Saito in his shop’s kitchen for a segment. That’s when Saito made the above comments.

As soon as the video was uploaded on July 17, his remarks quickly spread through online news outlets.

He said he had no desire for marriage, no chance at love, and wasn’t suited for relationships — effectively declaring that he had no girlfriend.

However, a friend of Saito who saw the video told FRIDAY Digital, “He actually has a woman he’s close with. She’s a stunning actress active on the global stage.”

The skeptical reporter who went to check it out ended up witnessing the sauna date described at the beginning.

“The woman in question is Adone Miyafuji (30). She first gained attention as a gravure model with an outstanding figure — an 87 cm G-cup — before transitioning to acting. She’s appeared in numerous films and dramas overseas, including in the U.S. and South Korea.

Their connection comes from martial arts. She served as an ambassador for Shooto, which brought her and Saito together on martial arts programs. As they interacted more through social media, they grew close. It seems they began seeing each other after Saito’s last RIZIN match — against Yuta Kubo last summer.” (Friend of Saito)

“What? Kudo!?”

Rather than calling him a fighter and ramen shop owner, it’s more fitting to say he’s a ramen shop owner who fights, given how deeply he’s immersed himself in the noodle world—while openly declaring himself unsuited for romance. So how did she manage to win him over? First, we approached Kudo directly.

——(Showing the photo) This is you and Saito, correct?
“Uh, ah, yes.”

——What is your relationship with Saito?
“When our schedules align, we go out to eat or to the sauna together…”

——So, are you dating?
(She doesn’t answer the question) “I respect him.”

——Any talk of marriage?
“No, there isn’t.”

In the earlier video, Saito proudly stated that MenZIN Saito’s sales rival those of popular ramen shops. When the reporter visited, the sky was overcast, but the place still had a steady flow of customers—mostly solo women and couples. When the rain began to pour and the flow of customers stopped, the reporter approached Saito as he stepped out from the kitchen.

——Do you have a moment?
“Yes.”

——Are you dating the actress Kudo?
“No, we’re not dating.”

——(Showing the photo) You two were seen on a sauna date. Kudo said she respects you.
“What? Kudo said that?!” he replied—just as a male customer walked in, prompting Saito to return to the kitchen. After closing time, the reporter followed up.

——You went to a private sauna with Kudo, but you’re saying you’re not in a relationship?
“Yes, not at all. It’s just a shared hobby, you could say.”

——You mean, the sauna?
“Well, the sauna, and also—she’s an ambassador for martial arts, so it’s more like we’re friends. There’s really nothing going on.”

——In the video, you mentioned to Sakakibara-san that you might stay single until 50, but everyone thinks, That can’t be true.

“Hahaha, oh, that video? I just meant I haven’t really had any good opportunities.”

——Even today, there were many women customers who came alone.
“Well, yeah, that’s true.”

——And about returning to RIZIN?
“I’d like to try my best, but I’ve also got the restaurant to manage.”

At the end of the interview, when the reporter thanked him, Saito left with just one remark:
“Please don’t make a big deal out of this, okay?”

Throughout the conversation, he remained calm and composed—showing the poise of a true champion. Still, the fact that Saito was enjoying a private sauna date with a beautiful woman is sure to delight his female fans. With his ramen business thriving, all eyes are now on what lies ahead for the fighting ramen man—his future with Kudo and his possible RIZIN comeback.