Tag: rizin ff

RIZIN 24: Tenshin Nasukawa Shines In Win Over Koji Tanaka

Japanese kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa put on a blistering performance at RIZIN 24, totally outclassing his opponent Koji Tanaka. The pair faced off in a catchweight kickboxing bout in the main event of RIZIN 24, which went down inside Tokyo’s Saitama Super Arena on Sunday, September 27. This fight was Tenshin’s first under the RIZIN […]

Japanese kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa put on a blistering performance at RIZIN 24, totally outclassing his opponent Koji Tanaka. The pair faced off in a catchweight kickboxing bout in the main event of RIZIN 24, which went down inside Tokyo’s Saitama Super Arena on Sunday, September 27.

This fight was Tenshin’s first under the RIZIN banner since the promotions New Years’ Eve show last December. In Koji, he was facing a kickboxing veteran who had captured multiple titles across multiple promotions. 

Tenshin came out in the opening round, looking like he had something to prove, and immediately took the fight to Koji, landing impressive punch combinations as well as a flying knee. The RIZIN newcomer ended the round with a cut above his left eye and swelling on his face.

Koji had some minor success at the start of the second, landing a solid right, but the attacking arsenal of Tenshin meant he was never really in the contest. The year 31-year-old was buffeted by a dizzying array of attacks ranging from airborne spinning kicks to brutal punch combinations.

When the judges’ decisions were called out, there was never any doubt that Tenshin would be the one to have his arm raised.

In the co-main event, RIZIN bantamweight champion Kai Asakura demolished Shoji Maruyam in the opening round of their non-title clash. After dropping Maruyam with a straight right, the 26-year-old sealed the deal by landing a massive soccer kick to the head of Maruyam as his opponent tried to get back to his feet. At this point, the referee wisely stepped in to save Maruyam from taking any more unnecessary damage.

Earlier in the night, fan-favorite Rena scored a unanimous decision win over Emi Tomimatsu in their strawweight clash. Rena’s standup game was too strong for Tomimatsu, who was making he RIZIN debut. The 38-year-old Tomimatsu did experience some success on the ground, but not enough to impress the judges. 

Full Results:

  • Catchweight ( Kickboxing): Tenshin Nasukawa def. Koji Tanaka by Unanimous Decision 
  • Bantamweight: Kai Asakura def. Shoji Maruyama via RD1 TKO
  • Lightweight: Koji Takeda def. Yuki Kawana via Split Decision
  • Lightweight: Takasuke Kume def. Satoru Kitaoka via Split Decision
  • Catchweight (Kickboxing): Taishi Hiratsuka def. Yuuki Kitagawa via RD2 KO
  • Bantamweight: Kenta Takizawa def. Yuto Hokamura via Split Decision
  • Women’s Strawweight: Rena Kubota def. Emi Tomimatsu via Unanimous Decision
  • Featherweight: Takahiro Ashida def. Kyohei Hagiwara via RD2 Submission
  • Heavyweight: Sudario Tsuyoshi def. Dylan James via RD1 TKO (Dr. Stoppage)
  • Catchweight ( Kickboxing): Mutsuki Ebata def. Rasta via Unanimous Decision
  • Lightweight: Juri Ohara def. Yusuke Yachi via Split Decision

Kyoji Horiguchi Healing Well, Targets Kai Asakura Upon Return

RIZIN FF bantamweight Kyoji Horiguchi is healing well after suffering after a serious knee injury last October. The 29-year-old vacated both his RIZIN FF and Bellator bantamweight titles following the injury, which consisted of a torn ACL and meniscus damage. In a recent interview with Japan’s Sports Graphic Number magazine, Horiguchi spoke about his recovery […]

RIZIN FF bantamweight Kyoji Horiguchi is healing well after suffering after a serious knee injury last October. The 29-year-old vacated both his RIZIN FF and Bellator bantamweight titles following the injury, which consisted of a torn ACL and meniscus damage.

In a recent interview with Japan’s Sports Graphic Number magazine, Horiguchi spoke about his recovery — now into its eighth month— as well as his plans for the future.

“There are very few fighters who have recovered from this injury, that’s why I want to be the first to show that I can be back with this injury. The team that I belong to has supported me, and I am recovering faster than planned, ” Horiguchi said.

The former UFC veteran has been living in the US for the past four years. He has based himself in Florida and trains out of American Top Team. The lifestyle seems to suit the Takasaki native who is aiming to stay permanently in the US. While no fighter enjoys a spell on the sidelines Horiguchi hasbeen careful to not wasted this current period of inactivity but use it to analyze his game and look for ways to improve.

” I’ve been thinking of changing my fighting style a little, and I’ve been working on training that can overwhelm [opponents]not only hitting but also wrestling. I was able to increase the range, and I am now stronger,”

Horiguchi’s last outing was a non-title fight at Rizin 18, where he suffered a shock first-round KO loss to the surging Kai Asakura. His first order of business once he has fully healed, will be the rematch with Asakura.

When it does take place, Horiguchi promises fans will see a stronger Kyoji Horiguchi entering the ring.

Would you be keen for a rematch between Horiguchi and Asakura?

RIZIN 22, 23 Canceled Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

RIZINRIZIN is the latest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion to cancel their upcoming events due to the coronavirus pandemic. RIZIN 22 was set to take place April 19 at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan. However, RIZIN president Nobuyuki Sakakibara announced Thursday that it would no longer be going ahead due to the current global […]

RIZIN

RIZIN is the latest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion to cancel their upcoming events due to the coronavirus pandemic.

RIZIN 22 was set to take place April 19 at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan. However, RIZIN president Nobuyuki Sakakibara announced Thursday that it would no longer be going ahead due to the current global situation.

No official bout was confirmed, however, a lightweight bout between Kotetsu Boku and Mikuru Asakura was expected to take place on the card. It will now be rebooked.

In addition, RIZIN 23 has also been canceled. That card was set to take place May 17 in Sendai, Japan.

The Japanese promotion’s last event took place February 22 in Hamamatsu, Japan. The nation currently has over 2,300 confirmed cases of the coronavirus with 57 deaths at the time of writing.

What do you make of RIZIN joining Bellator and others in canceling or postponing their upcoming events?

Former RIZIN Champion Manel Kape Signs Multi-Fight Deal With UFC

KapeManel Kape is the latest addition to the UFC’s stacked bantamweight division. According to MMA Fighting, the former RIZIN bantamweight champion has signed a multi-fight deal with the Las Vegas-based promotion following an initial report from Combate. Kape joins the UFC following an impressive 2019 run which saw him go 3-0 and end the year […]

Kape

Manel Kape is the latest addition to the UFC’s stacked bantamweight division.

According to MMA Fighting, the former RIZIN bantamweight champion has signed a multi-fight deal with the Las Vegas-based promotion following an initial report from Combate.

Kape joins the UFC following an impressive 2019 run which saw him go 3-0 and end the year as the RIZIN bantamweight champion following his TKO win over Kai Asakura at RIZIN 20 in December. He also stopped the likes of Seiichiro Ito and UFC veteran Takeya Mizugaki earlier in the year.

The 26-year-old Angolan — who trains out of AKA Thailand — has compiled a 15-4 professional record with 14 wins coming by way of stoppage.

His addition strengthens an already exciting division which includes the likes of Jose Aldo, Petr Yan, Cody Garbrandt, Aljamain Sterling, Marlon Moraes and of course, current champion Henry Cejudo.

It should be interesting to see how Kape transitions into facing UFC-level opposition.

What do you make of the signing? Who do you want to see Kape fight in his UFC debut?

Mikuru Asakura Scores KO Victory Over Daniel Salas At RIZIN 21

Japan’s Mikuru Asakura scored a sensational second-round stoppage victory over Mexico’s Daniel Salas in their main-event catchweight clash at RIZIN 21. Asakura came into this bout as the heavy favorite and was riding a seven-fight win streak. However, it was Salas who surprised in the opening round. The RIZIN debutant put on an entertaining show […]

Japan’s Mikuru Asakura scored a sensational second-round stoppage victory over Mexico’s Daniel Salas in their main-event catchweight clash at RIZIN 21.

Asakura came into this bout as the heavy favorite and was riding a seven-fight win streak. However, it was Salas who surprised in the opening round. The RIZIN debutant put on an entertaining show for the fans with his aggressive start to the contest. Asakura responded in kind as both men wasted no time in getting down to business.

However, despite his early aggression and confidence, it always felt like Asakura was the one more likely to finish. Salas did not make life easy for the hometown hero, as he dug deep into his grab bag of tricks as he looked to unsettle Asakura. The Mexcian kept himself busy switching stances, attempting to land flying knees and superman punches. But could not land a telling blow.

Asakura’s heavy kicks were causing a problem for Salas, as was the Japanese fighter’s punishing body shots. When the first bell sounded, both men returned to their corners with marks of battle. Salas was bleeding from a cut above his right eye, while under Askura’s right eye, a welt was forming.

After a frantic first-round, the pace settled in the opening stages of the second before Askura landed a solid body-shot and brought his kicking game back into play. Salas had slowed down now, and when a huge high roundhouse kick landed on the Mexican, a stoppage seemed inevitable, and the ref duly obliged.

RIZIN 21 Full Results : Mikuru Asakura KOs Daniel Salas

RIZIN 21 went down today (Sat. February 22, 2020) inside the Hamamatsu Arena in Hamamatsu, Japan. The 13-bout card was headlined by 150-pound catchweight bout between Japan’s Mikuru Asakura and Mexico’s Daniel Salas. The co-main event saw the USA’s Victory Henry taking on Japanese veteran Masanori Kanehara in a bantamweight bout. Below are the full […]

RIZIN 21 went down today (Sat. February 22, 2020) inside the Hamamatsu Arena in Hamamatsu, Japan.

The 13-bout card was headlined by 150-pound catchweight bout between Japan’s Mikuru Asakura and Mexico’s Daniel Salas. The co-main event saw the USA’s Victory Henry taking on Japanese veteran Masanori Kanehara in a bantamweight bout.

Below are the full results from RIZIN 21 card.

Full Card:

  • Catchweight: Mikuru Asakura def. Daniel Salas via RD2 KO
  • Bantamweight: Victor Henry def. Masanori Kanehara via RD2 TKO
  • Heavyweight: Roque Martinez def. Hideki Sekine via RD1 KO
  • Catchweight: Marcos de Souza def. Falco Neto via RD1 TKO
  • Bantamweight: Kintaro def. Kenji Kato via RD1 Submission
  • Bantamweight: Naoki Inoue def. Trent Girdham via Unanimous Decision
  • Featherweight: Vugar Keramov def. Kyle Aguon via Unanimous Decision

Kickboxing:

  • Heavyweight: Kousuke Jitukata def. Ryo Sakai via RD1 KO
  • Flyweight: Kenichi Takeuchi def. Naoya via Split Decision