Tag: MMA News

Kleber Koike Reclaims Featherweight Title From Chihiro Suzuki in Bloody Brawl: RIZIN 49 Highlights

Kleber Koike Reclaims Featherweight Title From Chihiro Suzuki in Bloody Brawl: RIZIN 49 HighlightsKleber Koike reclaimed the RIZIN featherweight championship during the final fight of the promotion’s New Year’s Eve bash inside…

Kleber Koike Reclaims Featherweight Title From Chihiro Suzuki in Bloody Brawl: RIZIN 49 Highlights

Kleber Koike reclaimed the RIZIN featherweight championship during the final fight of the promotion’s New Year’s Eve bash inside the legendary Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

In June 2023, Koike was stripped of the featherweight crown after he failed to make weight for a title defense against Chihiro Suzuki at RIZIN 43. 18 months later, the two would run it back — this time with Suzuki sitting as the promotion’s reigning featherweight king.

It was a classic battle of striker vs. grappler as Suzuki looked to impose his will on the feel while Koike sought to dominate things on the mat. In the end, it was Koike who would leave The Land of the Rising Sun with RIZIN gold around his waist after dominating a majority of their exchanges on the mat.

Official Result: Kleber Koike def. Chihiro Suzuki via unanimous decision to win the RIZIN featherweight championship.

Interestingly, fans appeared to disagree with the judges. According to Verdict MMA, Suzuki won the fight by more than a full point, edging Koike in all three rounds.

With their first fight in June 2023 ending in a no-contest and this one coming with a hint of controversy, could a trilogy bout be in their future?

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Check out highlights from Chihiro Suzuki vs. Kleber Koike at RIZIN 49:

Kleber Koike Reclaims Featherweight Title From Chihiro Suzuki in Bloody Brawl: RIZIN 49 Highlights

Kleber Koike Reclaims Featherweight Title From Chihiro Suzuki in Bloody Brawl: RIZIN 49 HighlightsKleber Koike reclaimed the RIZIN featherweight championship during the final fight of the promotion’s New Year’s Eve bash inside…

Kleber Koike Reclaims Featherweight Title From Chihiro Suzuki in Bloody Brawl: RIZIN 49 Highlights

Kleber Koike reclaimed the RIZIN featherweight championship during the final fight of the promotion’s New Year’s Eve bash inside the legendary Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

In June 2023, Koike was stripped of the featherweight crown after he failed to make weight for a title defense against Chihiro Suzuki at RIZIN 43. 18 months later, the two would run it back — this time with Suzuki sitting as the promotion’s reigning featherweight king.

It was a classic battle of striker vs. grappler as Suzuki looked to impose his will on the feel while Koike sought to dominate things on the mat. In the end, it was Koike who would leave The Land of the Rising Sun with RIZIN gold around his waist after dominating a majority of their exchanges on the mat.

Official Result: Kleber Koike def. Chihiro Suzuki via unanimous decision to win the RIZIN featherweight championship.

Interestingly, fans appeared to disagree with the judges. According to Verdict MMA, Suzuki won the fight by more than a full point, edging Koike in all three rounds.

With their first fight in June 2023 ending in a no-contest and this one coming with a hint of controversy, could a trilogy bout be in their future?

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Check out highlights from Chihiro Suzuki vs. Kleber Koike at RIZIN 49:

Roberto Satoshi Souza Retains Lightweight Title with Slick Triangle Choke: RIZIN 49 Highlights

Roberto Satoshi Souza Retains Lightweight Title with Slick Triangle Choke Against Vugar Karamov: RIZIN 49 HighlightsIt’s never a good idea to go to the mat with reigning RIZIN lightweight champion Roberto Satoshi Souza. In…

Roberto Satoshi Souza Retains Lightweight Title with Slick Triangle Choke Against Vugar Karamov: RIZIN 49 Highlights

It’s never a good idea to go to the mat with reigning RIZIN lightweight champion Roberto Satoshi Souza.

In the first of three world title tilts at RIZIN’s massive New Year’s Eve event inside the legendary Saitama Super Arena, Souza put his gold on the line against 20-win veteran Vugar Karamov.

It took Souza less than a round to score the 17th finish of his career, catching Karamov with a slick triangle choke and forcing him to tap out with only 15 seconds left in the round.

Official Result: Roberto Satoshi Souza def. Vugar Karamov via submission (triangle choke) in Round 1 to retain the RIZIN lightweight championship.

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With the win, Souza extended his unbeaten streak to three under the RIZIN banner and maintained his incredible 94% finish rate. Overall, the BJJ black belt is 18-3 in his mixed martial arts career with 11 of his wins coming by way of submission and another six via KO.

Check out highlights from Roberto Satoshi Souza vs. Vugar Karamov at rIZIN 49:

Roberto Satoshi Souza Retains Lightweight Title with Slick Triangle Choke: RIZIN 49 Highlights

Roberto Satoshi Souza Retains Lightweight Title with Slick Triangle Choke Against Vugar Karamov: RIZIN 49 HighlightsIt’s never a good idea to go to the mat with reigning RIZIN lightweight champion Roberto Satoshi Souza. In…

Roberto Satoshi Souza Retains Lightweight Title with Slick Triangle Choke Against Vugar Karamov: RIZIN 49 Highlights

It’s never a good idea to go to the mat with reigning RIZIN lightweight champion Roberto Satoshi Souza.

In the first of three world title tilts at RIZIN’s massive New Year’s Eve event inside the legendary Saitama Super Arena, Souza put his gold on the line against 20-win veteran Vugar Karamov.

It took Souza less than a round to score the 17th finish of his career, catching Karamov with a slick triangle choke and forcing him to tap out with only 15 seconds left in the round.

Official Result: Roberto Satoshi Souza def. Vugar Karamov via submission (triangle choke) in Round 1 to retain the RIZIN lightweight championship.

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With the win, Souza extended his unbeaten streak to three under the RIZIN banner and maintained his incredible 94% finish rate. Overall, the BJJ black belt is 18-3 in his mixed martial arts career with 11 of his wins coming by way of submission and another six via KO.

Check out highlights from Roberto Satoshi Souza vs. Vugar Karamov at rIZIN 49:

Son of PRIDE Legend Kazushi Sakuraba Scores 26-Second Knockout in MMA Debut

Son of PRIDE Legend Kazushi Sakuraba Scores 26-Second Knockout in MMA DebutThe son of legendary ‘Gracie Killer’ Kazushi Sakuraba scored an impressive 26-second knockout in his mixed martial arts debut…

Son of PRIDE Legend Kazushi Sakuraba Scores 26-Second Knockout in MMA Debut

The son of legendary ‘Gracie Killer’ Kazushi Sakuraba scored an impressive 26-second knockout in his mixed martial arts debut on Tuesday.

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Emanating from the iconic Saitama Super Arena in Japan, RIZIN FF delivered another star-studded New Year’s Eve event featuring the debut of Taisei Sakuraba.

The 26-year-old entered the ring for a showdown with 41-fight veteran Yusuke Yachi as part of the festivities and started the fireworks early with a quick-fire TKO.

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After a brief exchange, Sakuraba threw a kick that Yachi caught. As Yachi continued to hold his leg, thew newcomer unleashed a left hand that sent Yachi crashing to the canvas. ‘Saku Jr.’ swarmed his opponent, landing a series of solid ground-and-pound strikes before the referee saw fit to step in and call for the stoppage less than half a minute into the scrap.

Having only competed in grappling tournaments until now, ‘Saku Jr.’ walked into the bout as a +220 underdog against the far more experienced Yachi.

He is now 1-0 in his professional MMA career, snapping Yachi’s four-fight win streak under the RIZIN banner.

Check Out Highlights from Taisei Sakuraba’s impressive debut at RIZIN: Decade

Son of PRIDE Legend Kazushi Sakuraba Scores 26-Second Knockout in MMA Debut

Son of PRIDE Legend Kazushi Sakuraba Scores 26-Second Knockout in MMA DebutThe son of legendary ‘Gracie Killer’ Kazushi Sakuraba scored an impressive 26-second knockout in his mixed martial arts debut…

Son of PRIDE Legend Kazushi Sakuraba Scores 26-Second Knockout in MMA Debut

The son of legendary ‘Gracie Killer’ Kazushi Sakuraba scored an impressive 26-second knockout in his mixed martial arts debut on Tuesday.

Gfo WG6WcAE EC 1

Emanating from the iconic Saitama Super Arena in Japan, RIZIN FF delivered another star-studded New Year’s Eve event featuring the debut of Taisei Sakuraba.

The 26-year-old entered the ring for a showdown with 41-fight veteran Yusuke Yachi as part of the festivities and started the fireworks early with a quick-fire TKO.

Sakuraba

After a brief exchange, Sakuraba threw a kick that Yachi caught. As Yachi continued to hold his leg, thew newcomer unleashed a left hand that sent Yachi crashing to the canvas. ‘Saku Jr.’ swarmed his opponent, landing a series of solid ground-and-pound strikes before the referee saw fit to step in and call for the stoppage less than half a minute into the scrap.

Having only competed in grappling tournaments until now, ‘Saku Jr.’ walked into the bout as a +220 underdog against the far more experienced Yachi.

He is now 1-0 in his professional MMA career, snapping Yachi’s four-fight win streak under the RIZIN banner.

Check Out Highlights from Taisei Sakuraba’s impressive debut at RIZIN: Decade