Tag: rizin ff

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson To Headline Bellator Japan

Bellator’s first-ever event in Japan on December 29 will feature a throwback heavyweight encounter between Fedor Emelianenko and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. The news was announced by the promotion in a press conference in Japan on Wednesday. Emelianenko has not competed since his knockout defeat to Ryan Bader in the finals of Bellator’s heavyweight grand prix […]

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Bellator’s first-ever event in Japan on December 29 will feature a throwback heavyweight encounter between Fedor Emelianenko and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

The news was announced by the promotion in a press conference in Japan on Wednesday.

Emelianenko has not competed since his knockout defeat to Ryan Bader in the finals of Bellator’s heavyweight grand prix earlier this year. However, his return to action will now see him return to Japan where he made his name in mixed martial arts.

“Nineteen years ago, I fought my first fight in Japan and ever since I have fallen in love with this country,” Emelianenko said (via MMA Fighting). “I’m very happy to return and fight in Japan in front of the most unique atmosphere that I’ve ever experienced.

“I’m very happy to be able to do so with my opponent—a friend and a fight comrade who I fought side to side with in the same time. I’m very excited to be able to put on a great fight. I will work hard and do my best to put on a beautiful performance for all of the Japanese fans.”

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jackson — who last enjoyed a knockout win over Wanderlei Silva in September last year — has also had his fair share of competing in Japan and can’t wait to return there again:

“I don’t know if you guys know, but Fedor is and has been for a long time my favorite fighter,” Jackson said. “It’s strange to have to fight someone that you look up to and that you admire so much, but I love fighting in Japan so I just wanted to come back here and fight. I’ll fight anyone they tell me too if they tell me that I’m fighting in Japan.”

The event will take place in Saitama. According to Bellator president Scott Coker, he also plans on bringing three Bellator fighters to face three RIZIN fighters in challenger matches.

What do you think of the news? Are you excited for Bellator Japan?

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RIZIN CEO Planning Something ‘Really Weird,’ Could Involve Conor McGregor

RIZIN CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara is planning something “really weird” for his promotion’s New Year’s Eve show. This wouldn’t be the first time. Last year, RIZIN hosted Floyd Mayweather Jr., who took on Tenshin Nasukawa in an exhibition boxing bout that the undefeated legend won with ease. Now, it looks like RIZIN is planning something even […]

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RIZIN CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara is planning something “really weird” for his promotion’s New Year’s Eve show.

This wouldn’t be the first time. Last year, RIZIN hosted Floyd Mayweather Jr., who took on Tenshin Nasukawa in an exhibition boxing bout that the undefeated legend won with ease. Now, it looks like RIZIN is planning something even wilder for this year’s show. However, it won’t be mixed martial arts (MMA) or boxing related.

Speaking after RIZIN 18, Sakakibara teased the announcement, which he described as “quite strange,” and would be unrelated to MMA, professional wrestling, or boxing. He also noted it likely won’t involve Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao. He did say, however, that names like Oscar De La Hoya and even Conor McGregor could be involved.

“It’s quite strange,” Sakakibara said (via Tokyo Sports). “It ’s a new innovation. I feel like creating a new competition that is different from mixed martial arts, kickboxing, and professional wrestling.

“Mayweather had a surprise appearance last year, but it is difficult to develop something new from there. Pacquiao is also an active title holder. It’s more of a stakeholder who contributes to mixed martial arts and innovation than the two [boxers], like Connor McGregor or Oscar De La Hoya.”

In regards to McGregor, Sakakibara added, “We can do something together.” He touted McGregor as “the most famous mixed fighter in the world.” While it’s unlikely McGregor could participate in something with another promotion without the blessing of the UFC, we do know the Irishman will commit to something even if he’s contractually unable to do so.

What do you think RIZIN is planning, keeping names like McGregor and De La Hoya in mind?

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Kyoji Horiguchi Suffers Stunning 68-Second KO At RIZIN 18 (Video)

It was not a great night for Bellator and RIZIN bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi last night. Horiguchi took on Kai Asakura at RIZIN 18 from Japan. However, the matchup was a non-title contest. Even so, Asakura shocked those in attendance when he stunned Horiguchi with a shot, dropping him to the canvas. Horiguchi was able […]

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It was not a great night for Bellator and RIZIN bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi last night.

Horiguchi took on Kai Asakura at RIZIN 18 from Japan. However, the matchup was a non-title contest. Even so, Asakura shocked those in attendance when he stunned Horiguchi with a shot, dropping him to the canvas. Horiguchi was able to survive the initial onslaught but was subsequently knocked out after Asakura connected on another clean shot.

You can check out the finish here:

Horiguchi was on a 13-fight win streak before being finished by Asakura. He hadn’t lost since his submission defeat to Demetrious Johnson back in 2015 when they met under the UFC banner.

What did you think about Horiguchi’s stunning KO defeat at RIZIN 18?

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RIZIN 17 Results: Asakura Tops Yachi

RIZIN 17 is in the books as fans got to witness an action-packed night at the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday. In the main event, Mikura Asakura dominated rival Yusuke Yachi to take home a unanimous decision win. As the fight was coming to an end, Asakura notably dropped a desperate Yachi […]

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RIZIN 17 is in the books as fans got to witness an action-packed night at the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday.

In the main event, Mikura Asakura dominated rival Yusuke Yachi to take home a unanimous decision win. As the fight was coming to an end, Asakura notably dropped a desperate Yachi as he was taunting him.

Meanwhile, in the co-main event, Shintaro Ishiwatari got a submission win over former UFC flyweight Ulka Sasaki. Sasaki was dropped by the former bantamweight King of Pancrase in the second round. A series of knees to the head followed before Ishiwatari got the win with a north-south choke.

Below are all the results:

Main card

  • Mikura Asakura def. Yusuke Yachi via unanimous decision
  • Shintaro Ishiwatari def. Ulka Sasaki via submission (north-south choke) in R2
  • Hiromasa Ogikubo def. Yuki Motoya via majority decision
  • Ivan Shtyrkov def. Hoon Kim via TKO (strikes) in R2
  • Taiga Kawabe def. Hikaru Machida via unanimous decision [Kickboxing bout]

Prelims

  • Johnny Case def. Satoru Kitaoka via TKO (corner stoppage) at R1
  • Tatsuya Kawajiri def. Ali Abdulkhalikov via unanimous decision
  • Roberto de Souza def. Mizuto Hirota via TKO (strikes) in R1
  • Jake Heun def. Vitaly Shemetov via TKO (cut) in R3
  • Seo Hee Ham def. Tomo Maesawa via TKO (knees) in R1
  • Stephanie Egger def. Reina Miura via unanimous decision
  • Hideki def. Daiki Watabe via majority decision [Kickboxing bout]

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Kyoji Horiguchi To Fight Kai Asakura At RIZIN 18 In Non-Title Bout

Kyoji Horiguchi has his next RIZIN FF fight booked, but his title will not be on the line. The 28-year-old is coming off of a win over Darrion Caldwell to become the new Bellator bantamweight champion along with being RIZIN’s champ as well. Now, the Japan-native will have to defend his Bellator title at least […]

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Kyoji Horiguchi has his next RIZIN FF fight booked, but his title will not be on the line. The 28-year-old is coming off of a win over Darrion Caldwell to become the new Bellator bantamweight champion along with being RIZIN’s champ as well.

Now, the Japan-native will have to defend his Bellator title at least once a year, but will still be obligated to fight in RIZIN. And, at RIZIN 18 on August, 18, he has a fight booked. There, he will be taking on Kai Asakura who is 12-1 as a pro and riding a four-fight winning streak including a win over Manel Kape in 2018.

The 25-year-old was expected to fight Ulka Saski at RIZIN 15 but he withdrew just like his replacement Justin Scoggins.

“Kyoji Horiguchi may just be the best bantamweight in the world at the moment,” Rizin CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara said at a press conference. announcing the fight. “And out of all the options we had, I do believe that Kai Asakura is the best option who would be able to fight Horiguchi with the most motivation and determination. He’s young, hungry and has been our rising bantamweight and most of all, he will be taking on the greatest fighter in his hometown in front of hundreds of his supporters.”

Horiguchi vs. Asakura will headline RIZIN 18 and the full card can be seen below.

Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Kai Asakura
Kanna Asakura vs. Alesha Zappitella
Manel Kape vs. Takeya Mizugaki
Hiroto Uesako vs. Yves Landu
Takaki Soya vs. Yutaro Muramoto
Kazuma Sone vs. TBA
John Wayne Parr vs. Danilo Zanolini (kickboxing)
Ryuji Horio vs. Uchu Sakurai (kickboxing)
Shota Takiya vs. Kazuki Osaki (kickboxing)

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Rizin 13 Results & Highlights: Nasukawa & Horiguchi Impress In Crossover Bout

Today’s (Sun., September 30, 2018) Rizin 13 featured a rarely-seen spectacle in combat sports. Former UFC title challenger and current Rizin FF champion Kyoji Horiguchi ventured outside of his comfort zone to take on Japan’s biggest kickboxing star Tenshin Nasukawa under kickboxing rules. Horiguchi put on a valiant effort over the course of the three-round […]

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Today’s (Sun., September 30, 2018) Rizin 13 featured a rarely-seen spectacle in combat sports.

Former UFC title challenger and current Rizin FF champion Kyoji Horiguchi ventured outside of his comfort zone to take on Japan’s biggest kickboxing star Tenshin Nasukawa under kickboxing rules. Horiguchi put on a valiant effort over the course of the three-round bout, landing some power shots and holding his own.

Nasukawa rallied late thanks to a final-round cartwheel kick, however. He emerged with a unanimous decision victory. Horiguchi held his own in a ruleset outside of what he’s used to in mixed martial arts. The Japanese champion gave a touching tribute to his mentor Morifumi ‘Kid’ Yamamoto, who passed away earlier this September.

The defeat was Horiguchi’s first since he lost to all-time great former UFC champion Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson more than three years ago.

An Amazing Crossover Fight

Watch the highlights of Nasukawa’s second-round flurry here:

Check out Nasukawa’s vicious kicks and Horiguchi’s power punches in slow motion here:

Finally, watch the video of Nasukawa’s awe-inspiring third-round cartwheel kick that helped him seal the huge win:

A Star Rises

Also on the card, Jiri Procházka beat Jake Heun with a first-round onslaught. The rising star has won six in a row. Watch his latest stoppage, his 21st in 22 wins:

An Old UFC Veteran Continues To Impress

UFC veteran Daron Cruickshank also scored another impressive finish in Rizin. Cruickshank floored fellow UFC veteran Diego Brandao with a brutal knee. Watch it right here:

All-time great former PRIDE GP champion and UFC vet Mirko Cro Cop picked up at the event. He finished Roque Martinez in the final seconds of the opening round via TKO.

Full Rizin 13 results are as follows:

  • Jiri Prochazka def. Jake Heun via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:29
  • Mikuru Asakura def. Karshyga Dautbek via unanimous decision
  • Daron Cruickshank def. Diego Brandao via knockout (flying knee) – Round 2, 0:17
  • Tenshin Nasukawa def. Kyoji Horiguchi via unanimous decision (kickboxing bout)
  • Miyuu Yamamoto def. Andy Nguyen via unanimous decision
  • Mirko Cro Cop def. Roque Martinez via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Round 1, 4:58
  • Bob Sapp def. Abdelrahman Shalan via unanimous decision
  • Haruo Ochi def. Mitsuhisa Sunabe via knockout (punch, soccer kicks) – Round 3, 2:53
  • Kai Asakura def. Topnoi Tiger Muay Thai via unanimous decision
  • Ayaka Hamasaki def. Mina Kurobe via submission (kimura) – Round 1, 4:45
  • Manel Kape def. Yusaku Nakamura via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4: 27

 

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