Tag: rizin ff

Rizin FF chief eager to book fight between Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather: ‘It’s a great idea’

Nate DiazRizin FF leader and former PRIDE FC front man, Nobuyuki Sakakibara has suggested a future clash between former UFC welterweight contender, Nate Diaz, and former world champion professional boxer, Floyd Mayweather in the future – claiming Diaz could even likely defeat the Grand Rapids veteran. Diaz, a one-time lightweight title challenger under the UFC banner, […]

Nate Diaz

Rizin FF leader and former PRIDE FC front man, Nobuyuki Sakakibara has suggested a future clash between former UFC welterweight contender, Nate Diaz, and former world champion professional boxer, Floyd Mayweather in the future – claiming Diaz could even likely defeat the Grand Rapids veteran.

Diaz, a one-time lightweight title challenger under the UFC banner, most recently headlined UFC 279 last month in a short-notice welterweight fight against former interim lightweight titleholder, Tony Ferguson.

Securing a fourth round guillotine choke win, Diaz was initially scheduled to fight the undefeated, Khamzat Chimaev at the end, however, the latter missed weight by seven and a half pounds for the fight.

As for Mayweather, the Michigan native called time on his professional boxing career back in 2017 following a tenth round TKO win over common-foe, former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor in the Dubliner’s professional boxing debut.

In the time since, however, Mayweather has taken part in numerous exhibition boxing matches, including two under the banner of Rizin FF – most recently defeating Mikuru Asakura with a second round knockout back in September. 

With Nate Diaz’s exclusivity period with the UFC in regards to contract negotiations set to come to an end in the coming weeks, the Stockton native has been linked with a slew of potential moves – including a transition to professional wrestling with the WWE.

Rizin FF declare their interest in a fight between Nate Diaz and Floyd Mayweather

An interested party appears to have risen in the form of Japanese promotion Rizin FF – with the previously mentioned, Sakakibara floating a fight between Diaz and Mayweather.

“We do think we’re at a point where we can’t just only focus on the Japanese market anymore,” Sakakibara said during an interview with MMA Mania. “We have to target the international audience. So, with that said, Floyd’s (Mayweather) doesn’t have to be a Japanese fighter anymore. It’s just one possibility thinking about the future. Not only Floyd’s opponent, but Nate Diaz as an individual has a great amount of character, fight style, and a great following internationally. So, as an individual, he would definitely be somebody we’d be interested to be talking to.” 

“Nate’s kind of like the global (version of the) Asakura brothers,” Sakakibara explained. “The Diaz brothers are the global Asakura brothers. And who would not want to see them fight and take on Floyd Mayweather? Floyd’s been perfecting boxing his entire career and now he’s willing to do these exhibitions to fight different professionals like MMA fighters, YouTubers, and right now it’s the time where that is what sells and that is what people are entertained by. These big competitions – exhibitions – amongst different professions is something that really gathers attention and gets people talking.”

According to Sakakibara to boot, Diaz, who has always been linked with a move to boxing at the tailend of his professional mixed martial arts career, could potentially defeat Mayweather if they fought each other.

“Nate Diaz might even have a chance of beating Floyd, you know?” Sakakibara explained. “And for us to promote that ‘what if’ factor is definitely something that we need to promote for these exhibitions against Floyd. Making the people think maybe… that ‘if’ factor, Nate Diaz can bring all of that, so, we do think it’s a great idea.” (Transcribed by BJPENN.com)

Official – Floyd Mayweather books September 25. exhibition boxing match against Mikuru Asakura in Japan

Floyd MayweatherOfficially set of his return to Japan following a dominant exhibition knockout win over kickboxer, Tenshin Nasukawa back in 2018, undefeated former world boxing champion, Floyd Mayweather will feature at the Saitama Super Arena on September 25. against mixed martial arts fighter, Mikuru Asakura on a Rizin FF card. Mayweather, who retired from professional boxing […]

Floyd Mayweather

Officially set of his return to Japan following a dominant exhibition knockout win over kickboxer, Tenshin Nasukawa back in 2018, undefeated former world boxing champion, Floyd Mayweather will feature at the Saitama Super Arena on September 25. against mixed martial arts fighter, Mikuru Asakura on a Rizin FF card.

Mayweather, who retired from professional boxing back in 2017 following an eventual 10th round TKO win over former two-weight UFC champion, Conor McGregor in August of that year, ended his decorated career with an unbeaten, 50-0 professional record. 

In the time since, Floyd Mayweather has since booked three lucrative exhibition boxing matches against the aforenoted, Nasukawa, as well as a pair of non-scored bouts with both Logan Paul, and former teammate, Don Moore, last year and this annum, respectively.

Linked with another exhibition bout before the close of this year, the Grand Rapids, Michigan veteran will return to the Saitama Super Arena on September 25. as part of a Nobuyuki Sakakibara promoted Rizin FF card – taking on the 16-3(1) featherweight fighter, Asakura.

A one-time featherweight title challenger under the Rizin FF banner, Asakura, the older brother of bantamweight, Kai Asakura, has landed eight total career knockouts during his professional mixed martial arts career, dating back to September 2012. Next month’s outing against Mayweather in Japan will as Asakura’s first inside the squared circle, whilst donning boxing gloves – exhibition or otherwise. 

Floyd Mayweather is recognised as one of the best boxers of all time

Argued as the greatest defensive boxer of all time and arguably the best boxer of his generation, Floyd Mayweather, one of the most recognisable combat sports stars in history, has landed notable victories over the likes of Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, Canelo Alvarez, Marcos Maidana, and Manny Pacquiao.

MMA News’ Top 10 Finishes Of The Week (7/24-7/30)

Welcome to this week’s edition of MMA News’ Top 10 Finishes of the week! Every week there’s highlight-reel finishes all across the MMA world, and we’ve found some of the absolute best ones to showcase. The UFC leads the charge this week with a few grea…

Welcome to this week’s edition of MMA News’ Top 10 Finishes of the week! Every week there’s highlight-reel finishes all across the MMA world, and we’ve found some of the absolute best ones to showcase. The UFC leads the charge this week with a few great finishes from UFC 277, as well as a contract-winning…

Continue Reading MMA News’ Top 10 Finishes Of The Week (7/24-7/30) at MMA News.

Official – Floyd Mayweather Set For September Exhibition Boxing Match Against Mikuru Asakura

Floyd MayweatherUndefeated former professional boxer, Floyd Mayweather is set for another high-profile exhibition boxing matchup since his 2017 retirement from the sport – this time drawing former two-weight RINGS champion and Rizin FF staple, Mikuru Asakura at a September event in a Japan return. Floyd Mayweather ended his decorated pro career boasting a 50-0 record Mayweather, […]

Floyd Mayweather

Undefeated former professional boxer, Floyd Mayweather is set for another high-profile exhibition boxing matchup since his 2017 retirement from the sport – this time drawing former two-weight RINGS champion and Rizin FF staple, Mikuru Asakura at a September event in a Japan return.

Floyd Mayweather ended his decorated pro career boasting a 50-0 record

Mayweather, a former multiple-weight, multiple-time world champion in professional boxing, boasts an undefeated 50-0 professional record, calling time on his career following his final outing in August 2017.

In his most recent professional foray, Grand Rapids native, Mayweather competed against former undisputed UFC featherweight and lightweight champion, Conor McGregor – scoring a tenth round TKO win over the Dubliner at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Taking part in a trio of lucrative exhibition outings since then, Mayweather defeated Japanese kickboxing starlet, Tenshin Nasukawa in December of that year, before returning for a pair of matchups against YouTuber, Logan Paul, and then just last month in Abu Dhabi, UAE – Don Moore. 

Set to return in tandem with Japanese promotion, Rizin FF in September for an exhibition outing against Asakura – the elder sibling of standout, Kai Asakura – official length and rules for the exhibition bout have yet to be determined at the time of publication.

“My legacy is already engraved in stone, like I said before, but it’s still great just to go around the world and entertain people from all walks of life,” Floyd Mayweather said at a press event to promote the bout. “I’m pretty sure he’s (Mikuru Asakura) gonna come out and give his best, like any and every guy, but I’ve seen every style, so, my job is just to go out there, be me, have fun and do what I do best.”

“September, we’re going to have fun and entertain people,” Floyd Mayweather continued. “I’m Floyd Mayweather to him. He’s just another opponent to me.” 

16-3 as a professional mixed martial artist, Asakura, who boasts eight career knockout victories, is currently riding a two-fight winning run – landing career decision wins six and seven against Kyohei Hagiware, and in December of last year, Yutaka Saito. 

“My name is Mikuru Asakura, and I’ll be fighting Floyd Mayweahter,” Asakura said. “I’m an MMA fighter but I’m going to use this opportunity and I’m going to use him to raise my name and value internationally. I’m going to win this fight.” (Transcribed by Sky Sports)

Video – UFC Alum Spike Carlyle Out Choke Opponent At Rizin 35, Kisses His Head

Spike CarlyleSpike Carlyle has enjoyed a stunning run of five consecutive victories and finishes since his departure from the UFC two years ago – and last night, turned in a second round guillotine choke win over Koji Takeda – choking his opponent unconscious, before planting a kiss on his head from guard. Spike Carlyle, a native […]

Spike Carlyle

Spike Carlyle has enjoyed a stunning run of five consecutive victories and finishes since his departure from the UFC two years ago – and last night, turned in a second round guillotine choke win over Koji Takeda – choking his opponent unconscious, before planting a kiss on his head from guard.

Spike Carlyle, a native of San Diego, California – featured three-times under the banner of the UFC in 2020, managing to amass a 1-2 promotional record.

Debuting in February of that year against Aalon Cruz, Spike Carlyle would land a first round knockout win, before dropping a unanimous judging loss to Billy Quarantillo – and then a November decision blemish against Bill Algeo.

In the time since his departure, Carlyle, a renowned finisher, has competed under the notable banners of LFA, Cage Warriors, Bellator MMA – and last night – landing in Japan for Rizin FF 35, tackling Takeda. 

Riding a run of four wins over Batsumberel Dagvadorj, Gil Guardado, J.J. Ambrose, and Dan Moret into the Chofu event, Carlyle secured a five fight winning run for the second time in his professional career – in quite impressive fashion. 

Last night’s submission win for Spike Carlyle came as his seventh professionally

Featuring on the preliminary card of the event at the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza, Carlyle – from guard, wrapped a guillotine on the aforenoted, Takeya – eventually choking him unconscious, and then kissing his fallen opponent on the head. 

Last night’s card featured a championship tripleheader to boot – with super atomweight, Seika Izawa defeating champion, Ayaka Hamasaki with a unanimous decision win to land the title.

In the night’s co-main event, featherweight champion, Juntaro Ushiku successfully defended his title with a unanimous decision win over Yutaka Saito.

Rounding out the promotion’s return, Brazilian grappling sensation, Roberto de Souza – otherwise known as Roberto Satoshi avenged a knockout loss to Johnny Case – stopping the lightweight title challenger with a spectacular opening round armbar – improving to 14-1 in the process. 

Kyoji Horiguchi Stops Kai Asakura In RIZIN FF 26 Rematch

HoriguchiRedemption for bantamweight standout, Kyoji ‘The Typhoon’ Horiguchi. Returning from a debilitating knee injury which forced him to vacant his Bellator MMA bantamweight crown, the 30-year-old headlined RIZIN FF 26 this morning in Saitama, Japan — stopping two-time foe, Kai Asakura to reclaim the promotion’s world championship. Horiguchi, a former UFC flyweight title challenger suffered […]

Horiguchi

Redemption for bantamweight standout, Kyoji ‘The Typhoon’ Horiguchi. Returning from a debilitating knee injury which forced him to vacant his Bellator MMA bantamweight crown, the 30-year-old headlined RIZIN FF 26 this morning in Saitama, Japan — stopping two-time foe, Kai Asakura to reclaim the promotion’s world championship.

Horiguchi, a former UFC flyweight title challenger suffered a nasty knee injury in October of last year, ultimately forcing him to vacate the Bellator title he lifted via a unanimous decision win over Darrion ‘The Wolf’ Caldwell, the following month.

Unbeaten in his next thirteen outings since dropping a buzzer-beating armbar loss to ONE Championship tournament victor, Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson, Horiguchi battled with the above mentioned, Asakura in a non-title matchup, dropping a stunning first-round knockout defeat. 

Sixteen months later, Horiguchi returned to action against two-time foe, Asakura, and after expertly finding his mark with calf kicks over and over again in the opening exchanges, Horiguchi countered a jumping knee from his compatriot to stun and subsequently drop him with a barrage before continued ground-and-pound strikes before the three-minute mark ended Asakura’s reign. 

Rounding off a sixteen fight card, the promotion also fielded former PRIDE FC great, Takanori Gomi who claimed a majority decision win over Koji Tanaka. In a kickboxing bout, renowned striker, Tenshin Nasukawa managed to grab a unanimous judging victory over Kumandoi Petcharoenvit. Opening the card, Ayaka Hamasaki was crowned the super atomweight champion via a stunning head-scissors submission victory over Miyuu Yamamoto in a vacant title matchup. 

With Horiguchi’s win, the American Top Team trainee now improves to 29-3 professionally, adding Asakura to a staggering list of talent already featured on his win column. Prior to this morning’s win, Horiguchi had twice bested the above mentioned, Caldwell, as well as grabbing victories over Ben Nyugen, Hiromasa Ougikubo (x2), Ian McCall, Manel Kape, Ali Baugautinov, Neil Seery, and Louis Gaudinot to name a few. 

Speculation has already begun to mount as to what’s next for Horiguchi, with a bantamweight title challenge against recently minted Bellator best, Juan Archuleta already floated, as well as a potential return to the UFC to tackle either flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo, or a bantamweight siege against Petr Yan.