Take a look at all the craziness that went down in Saitama Super Arena as RIZIN makes the case for PRIDE never dying.
Over 25,000 people filled the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday afternoon for the 13th RIZIN Fighting Federation event, and it was a glorious night of combat that even a typhoon couldn’t put a damper on. Those that tuned in around the world via Fite TV also got enough action to keep them riveted, no matter how late / early it was.
Headlined by Kyoji Horiguchi’s valiant attempt to kickbox with stand up star Tenshin, the RIZIN card also featured highlights from Daron Cruickshank, Haruo Ochii, and Mirko Crocop, along with an entertainingly bad bout involving Bob Sapp. In the middle of all the craziness and pageantry, the event took an emotional turn as RIZIN honored Japanese legend Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto with a moment of silence. His sister also fought and won a fight against Andy Nguyen, just 12 days removed from Kid’s passing due to cancer.
A moment of silence for Norifumi KID Yamamoto #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/i5Ry807vfK
— Bestrafer7 (@Bestrafer7) September 30, 2018
????? #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/FUG25kyZHl
— ??? (@kotohiraoka) September 30, 2018
Since MMA is a visual medium, I think it’s best to let you see all the action from this event. Let’s take a look at all the results, highlights, and finishes!
Tenshin Nasukawa def. Kyoji Horiguchi via unanimous decision
Oh my god #RIZIN13 @FiteTV #RIZINFF pic.twitter.com/FVn3jE8DMP
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 30, 2018
Tenshin Nasukawa jumps into hyperdrive to close R2 #RIZIN13 @FITETV #RIZINFF pic.twitter.com/iNLhofitXL
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 30, 2018
??×???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????#RIZIN#RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/RQktna1yzb
— ???? (@6NNTN) September 30, 2018
Jiri Prochazka def. Jake Heun via TKO (strikes) at 4:29 of R1
Jiri finishes another one#RIZIN #RIZINFF #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/fPFPmZ3A64
— Jonnyboy (@JBNeverDies) September 30, 2018
The moment you realized you were in the ring with Jiri, but it’s too late. #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/A3nMIZxIoL
— skillcrane (@naturalbornheel) October 1, 2018
Mikura Asakura def. Karshyga Dautbek via unanimous decision
Like brother Kai did earlier in the night, Mikuru Asakura (8-1, 1 NC) runs a mat clinic on Karshyga Dautbek. The two-division OUTSIDER champ nearly finished an anaconda in the first and throttled the Kazakh with a vicious knee in the second. He wins by UD. #RIZIN13 #RIZINFF pic.twitter.com/yrMM2if0Xp
— Kyle Johnson (@Maldobabo) September 30, 2018
Daron Cruickshank def. Diego Brandao via KO (flying knee) at 5:18 of R1
In a clash of fan-friendly UFC vets, Daron Cruickshank (22-10, 1 NC) obliterates Diego Brandão with a flying knee! The second-round KO is #14 in Cruickshank’s career; “The Detroit Superstar” is 5-2 in RIZIN. #RIZIN13 #RIZINFF #RIZIN2018 pic.twitter.com/eJXddk1cTf
— Kyle Johnson (@Maldobabo) September 30, 2018
Miyuu Yamamoto def. Andy Nguyen via unanimous decision
#RIZIN #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/D08bYS8lx1
— inxxane (@inxxane) September 30, 2018
Only 12 days after the untimely death of her brother, Miyuu Yamamoto steps into the RIZIN ring and picks up a unanimous decision win over Andy Nguyen, avenging a loss from 2016. #RIZIN13 #KidForever pic.twitter.com/QcPN7l4MVQ
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 30, 2018
????????×?????????? RT @JBNeverDies #RIZIN #RIZINFF #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/AWELFTxmCt
— MMA.vaobhr (@vaobhr) September 30, 2018
KRAZY BEE NEVER DIE #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/S8BLiqp1rZ
— Cerebral Hunter (@Delisketo) September 30, 2018
Mirko Cro Cop def. Roque Martinez via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 4:58 of R1
Mirko Cro Cop hellbows a hole in Roque Martinez’s head for the cut stoppage #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/a3TnAlsQYz
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 30, 2018
Ah well, Mirko Cro Cop beats Roque Martinez via cut stoppage, opening the Guamanian up with the below elbow. The legend extends his late-career winning streak to nine. #RIZIN13 #RIZINFF #RIZIN2018 pic.twitter.com/VfSUvqKs1a
— Kyle Johnson (@Maldobabo) September 30, 2018
Wow, they called it.
Cro Cop split em open with an elbow and that’s a wrap. #RIZIN #RIZINFF #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/pnBXMLcESP
— Jonnyboy (@JBNeverDies) September 30, 2018
Bob Sapp def. Kintaro Osunaarashi via unanimous decision
Bob Sapp about to get fucked up by King Tut outchea. #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/PQ3WqY7D7H
— MacMally (@MacMallyMMA) September 30, 2018
This is legend!!!! Bob Sapp the gif that keeps on giving
Breaks a huge losing streak pic.twitter.com/wJWIGQCeGv
— Aaron Chalmers (@AaronCGShore) September 30, 2018
I LOVE YOU BRO #Rizin13 pic.twitter.com/CZ1dFhs0fN
— LORD HONKY HUMUNGUS (@Mr_Honky) September 30, 2018
sapp vs osunaarashi, round 3, the best round in mma history pic.twitter.com/sqWgL588VR
— nakajima as ghc champion celebration account (@ebgteddy) September 30, 2018
Bob Sapp survived the first round. Color me shocked. #RIZIN13 #RIZINFF pic.twitter.com/IuLWehZbrl
— Kyle Johnson (@Maldobabo) September 30, 2018
Bob Sapp getting beat up from mount is the most Bob Sapp thing ever #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/oj5AnIkZl4
— LORD HONKY HUMUNGUS (@Mr_Honky) September 30, 2018
i’d like to take a moment to apologize to @TheZaneSimon, because it turns out there is a market for dogshit fights like this. look at the crowd. pic.twitter.com/rUv7gSLe7J
— Brugal Bernstein (@VicMRodriguez) September 30, 2018
?????w#RIZIN13 #????? #??? pic.twitter.com/MA1RuddFv3
— TsuBaSa (@tsu0223) September 30, 2018
Haruo Ochi def. Mitsuhisa Sunabe via KO (soccer kick) at 2:51 of R3
DEEP champion Haruo Ochi (18-7-2) proves Japan’s best strawweight, obliterating King of Pancrase Mitsuhisa Sunabe with a lovely hook and soccer kicks! The KO snaps Sunabe’s 16-fight win streak and marks his first stoppage loss since 2007! #RIZIN13 #RIZINFF #RIZIN2018 pic.twitter.com/azxBR0k9u6
— Kyle Johnson (@Maldobabo) September 30, 2018
Brutal by Ochi #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/rYnqztH4XC
— inxxane (@inxxane) September 30, 2018
Kai Asakura def. Topnoi Thanongsakiek via unanimous decision
#RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/9dhwwJUsJB
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) September 30, 2018
#RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/cGYHFE0Nv6
— inxxane (@inxxane) September 30, 2018
RIZIN RULES >>>>> >>#RIZIN #RIZINFF #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/s82ItZWYVP
— Jonnyboy (@JBNeverDies) September 30, 2018
Ayaka Hamasaki def. Mina Kurobe via submission (kimura) at 4:45 of R1
Hamasaki in round 1 #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/N2LnYN1rSC
— inxxane (@inxxane) September 30, 2018
Ayaka Hamasaki wins via a brutal kimura lock #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/vDi81fX2DS
— Cerebral Hunter (@Delisketo) September 30, 2018
Taiga Kawabe vs. Kento Haraguchi majority draw [Kickboxing bout]
Former K-1 and KRUSH champion TAIGA got a stern test in the form of upstart Kento Haraguchi. The two battle to an entertaining majority draw. #RIZIN13 #RIZINFF #RIZIN2018 pic.twitter.com/MaUXr9Al12
— Kyle Johnson (@Maldobabo) September 30, 2018
Manel Kape def. Yusaku Nakamura via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:28 of R1
Well done, Kape #RIZIN13 pic.twitter.com/XRhfwl5vPo
— inxxane (@inxxane) September 30, 2018