Tag: RIZIN News

Watch | Former UFC contender John Dodson scores a first-round KO win in RIZIN debut against Hideo Tokoro

John Dodson Rizin TokoroThe MMA veteran and former top-ranked UFC contender John Dodson made an impressive debut in RIZIN earlier today. The US-born athlete made quick work of the DREAM and RIZIN veteran Hideo Tokoro. Dodson only needed one minute and forty-three seconds of fight time to finish the bout via knockout. John Dodson wins via KO in […]

John Dodson Rizin Tokoro

The MMA veteran and former top-ranked UFC contender John Dodson made an impressive debut in RIZIN earlier today. The US-born athlete made quick work of the DREAM and RIZIN veteran Hideo Tokoro. Dodson only needed one minute and forty-three seconds of fight time to finish the bout via knockout.

John Dodson wins via KO in RIZIN debut

‘The Magician’ John Dodson made his RIZIN debut in the competitive flyweight division at 125 lbs. The 5’3″ fighter humorously listed himself as 6’2″ on the TV broadcast. He is a long-time veteran of MMA collecting a record of 23-13 between the UFC, XMMA, King of the Cage, and several other organizations. Most notably, he has faced fighters such as Merab Dvalishvili, John Lineker, Petr Yan, T.J. Dillashaw, and two bouts against ‘Mighty Mouse’ Demetrious Johnson. Currently, Dodson is on a two-fight win streak having both of his 2022 MMA fights, plus a BKFC bout he won via KO.

Hideo Tokoro is a Japanese-born submission grappling athlete. In his 22-year-long career, he has fought from flyweight to heavyweight. Tokoro was a staple of the DREAM organization where he was known as one of the most exciting fighters on the roster. Over his impressive career, he has put together a record of 35-32 against notable fighters such as Kyoji Horiguchi, Masakazu Imanari, Joachim Hansen, Abel Cullum, Brad Pickett, Ivan Menjivar, and UFC 1 winner Royce Gracie, plus even grappled against Wanderlei Silva.

With this notable win, the Jackson-Wink-trained John Dodson is likely to continue climbing the ranks of MMA around the globe. Yesterday on Instagram he promised fireworks, and today he delivered.“It’s time for the real fun to begin. Tomorrow night is nothing but fireworks.”

Manny Pacquiao announces that he will box for RIZIN FF in 2023: “Excited to fight a Japanese fighter.”

Manny Pacquiao RIZIN 1The Filipino-born boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has just announced that he will be coming out of retirement for a bout with RIZIN in 2023. The 44-year-old boxer put together an incredible 62-8 record over his 26-year-long career in professional boxing, making his debut at just the age of 16. His last bout was a loss […]

Manny Pacquiao RIZIN 1

The Filipino-born boxing legend Manny Pacquiao has just announced that he will be coming out of retirement for a bout with RIZIN in 2023.

The 44-year-old boxer put together an incredible 62-8 record over his 26-year-long career in professional boxing, making his debut at just the age of 16. His last bout was a loss in 2021 against Yordenis Ugás for the WBA Super Welterweight title. More recently, Pacquiao took on three exhibition boxing bouts in Korea in 2022.

Manny Pacquiao will box for RIZIN in 2023

During the Bellator vs. RIZIN and RIZIN 40 New Years Eve event hosted in Tokyo, Japan, Manny Pacquiao stood at the center of the ring next to PRIDE and RIZIN founder Nobuyuki Sakakibara. The two announced that Pacquiao will face a Japanese opponent in the RIZIN ring in 2023.

Manny Pacquiao said:

“A few months ago, I was here as a guest and today I have a very exciting announcement tonight. I have agreed with Rizin to fight next year, the date will soon be announced and also my opponent that Rizin will choose. I’m open and excited to fight a Japanese fighter.” [Transcript courtesy of MMA Junkie]

RIZIN is certainly no stranger to ‘legends’ boxing fights. In two matches the Japanese MMA organization has hosted Floyd Mayweahter Jr. exhibition boxing bouts. Mayweather faced kickboxing great Tenshin Nasukawa in 2018 and former RINGS champion Mikuru Asakura in 2022. The US-born 50-0 boxing great walked away with a victory in both matches.

Later in 2023, a former Mayweather opponent, Manny Pacquiao will set foot in the RIZIN ring. The specifics remain to be seen but it will likely be an exhibition bout.

K1-Kickboxer Kouzi knocks out Floyd Mayweather’s ‘juicehead’ bodyguard Jizzy Mack at Super RIZIN

Floyd MayweatherK1- Kickboxer Kouzi was able to stop Jizzy Mack, the bodyguard of Floyd Mayweather, in their exhibition bout at Super RIZIN. An event that also saw Floyd Mayweather himself emerge victorious against Mikuru Asakura via TKO in the second round. Mack entered the bout with a 42-pound weight advantage over his opponent. However, that seemed […]

Floyd Mayweather

K1- Kickboxer Kouzi was able to stop Jizzy Mack, the bodyguard of Floyd Mayweather, in their exhibition bout at Super RIZIN. An event that also saw Floyd Mayweather himself emerge victorious against Mikuru Asakura via TKO in the second round.

Mack entered the bout with a 42-pound weight advantage over his opponent. However, that seemed to be the area of his downfall, as he rapidly began to fatigue during the second round, before ultimately being dispatched in the third.

Kouzi was able to land a combination of strikes which dropped Mack early on in round three. Despite winning his matchup, Kouzi admitted he was somewhat disappointed in his performance, claiming that with his experience he should have been able to overcome his opponent easier.

Holding a kickboxing record of 31-16-2, Kouzi had a wealth of experience to call upon in this matchup. Although he struggled to get past Mack’s attempts in the first round ultimately, he was able to find his rhythm and land the necessary shots that would see him stop Mack, who proved to be an awkward opponent.

Despite not achieving his victory in his matchup, Mack seemed to be still relatively pleased with the opportunity to go and compete in this exhibition bout and he would have been even more so after watching his boss, Floyd Mayweather, stop Mikuru Asakura in the second round of their matchup.

Floyd Mayweather stops Mikuru Asakura at Super RIZIN

In the main-event match of Super RIZIN 38, Floyd Mayweather faced MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura in a three-round exhibition bout. The 30-year-old fighter holds a professional record of 16-3 in his MMA career.

The fight turned out as expected in what was a quick night at the office for Mayweather, Asakura was unable to land anything to put the undefeated boxer in any real danger while Mayweather comfortably was able to land his own shots and start to break down his opponent.

And as it seems those shots were beginning to have a damaging effect; Mayweather worked the body early on before landing a shot to the head just before the bell which saw Asakura unable to continue.

In his post-fight interview, Mayweather announced that he would like to return to Japan and RIZIN to compete once again. However, that will most likely take place after his next reported bout in which he is scheduled to take on YouTube celebrity and brother of KSI, Deji.

What were your thoughts on the matchups at SUPER RIZIN?

K1-Kickboxer Kouzi knocks out Floyd Mayweather’s ‘juicehead’ bodyguard Jizzy Mack at Super RIZIN

Floyd MayweatherK1- Kickboxer Kouzi was able to stop Jizzy Mack, the bodyguard of Floyd Mayweather, in their exhibition bout at Super RIZIN. An event that also saw Floyd Mayweather himself emerge victorious against Mikuru Asakura via TKO in the second round. Mack entered the bout with a 42-pound weight advantage over his opponent. However, that seemed […]

Floyd Mayweather

K1- Kickboxer Kouzi was able to stop Jizzy Mack, the bodyguard of Floyd Mayweather, in their exhibition bout at Super RIZIN. An event that also saw Floyd Mayweather himself emerge victorious against Mikuru Asakura via TKO in the second round.

Mack entered the bout with a 42-pound weight advantage over his opponent. However, that seemed to be the area of his downfall, as he rapidly began to fatigue during the second round, before ultimately being dispatched in the third.

Kouzi was able to land a combination of strikes which dropped Mack early on in round three. Despite winning his matchup, Kouzi admitted he was somewhat disappointed in his performance, claiming that with his experience he should have been able to overcome his opponent easier.

Holding a kickboxing record of 31-16-2, Kouzi had a wealth of experience to call upon in this matchup. Although he struggled to get past Mack’s attempts in the first round ultimately, he was able to find his rhythm and land the necessary shots that would see him stop Mack, who proved to be an awkward opponent.

Despite not achieving his victory in his matchup, Mack seemed to be still relatively pleased with the opportunity to go and compete in this exhibition bout and he would have been even more so after watching his boss, Floyd Mayweather, stop Mikuru Asakura in the second round of their matchup.

Floyd Mayweather stops Mikuru Asakura at Super RIZIN

In the main-event match of Super RIZIN 38, Floyd Mayweather faced MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura in a three-round exhibition bout. The 30-year-old fighter holds a professional record of 16-3 in his MMA career.

The fight turned out as expected in what was a quick night at the office for Mayweather, Asakura was unable to land anything to put the undefeated boxer in any real danger while Mayweather comfortably was able to land his own shots and start to break down his opponent.

And as it seems those shots were beginning to have a damaging effect; Mayweather worked the body early on before landing a shot to the head just before the bell which saw Asakura unable to continue.

In his post-fight interview, Mayweather announced that he would like to return to Japan and RIZIN to compete once again. However, that will most likely take place after his next reported bout in which he is scheduled to take on YouTube celebrity and brother of KSI, Deji.

What were your thoughts on the matchups at SUPER RIZIN?

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.

Buakaw Banchamek makes quick work of Kota Miura weeks before BKFC Thailand 3 debut

BuakawMuay Thai legend Buakaw Banchamek made his return to Rajadamnern Stadium in Thailand for the first time in 18 years and made quick work of up-and-coming Japanese mixed martial artist Kota Miura. With more than 250 career wins to his credit, Buakaw Banchamek is one of Muay Thai‘s most well-known and respected practitioners. The former […]

Buakaw

Muay Thai legend Buakaw Banchamek made his return to Rajadamnern Stadium in Thailand for the first time in 18 years and made quick work of up-and-coming Japanese mixed martial artist Kota Miura.

With more than 250 career wins to his credit, Buakaw Banchamek is one of Muay Thai‘s most well-known and respected practitioners. The former K-I World Max Champion recently signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and is scheduled to make his promotional debut at BKFC Thailand 3 on September on September 3rd.

Ahead of his highly-anticipated bare-knuckle debut, Buakaw competed against Miura, an internet heartthrob and aspiring mixed martial artist born to footballer Kazuyoshi Miura and model Risako Miura. The two squared off inside Thailand’s longest-running boxing stadium, which first opened in 1945.

In the bout, which you can see highlights below, Buakaw delivered a showstopping performance and put Miura away in the third round by technical knockout. It was another great showing for the Muay Thai icon just weeks away from his first foray into the world of bare-knuckle boxing.

Buakaw Banchamek Will Toe The Line on September 3rd for BKFC Debut

The Muay Thai superstar will toe the line on September 3rd for his new employer, Bare Knuckle FC. First announced in July, Buakaw was added to an already bolstered BKFC roster which has seen new additions including John Dodson, Ben Rothwell, Greg Hardy, and Felice Herrig. The promotion also signed fellow Muay Thai legend Saenchai to the promotion earlier this month.

Speaking about the signing BFKC President and founder David Feldman shared his excitement about signing the former WBC Muay Thai world champion.

“This is our third event in Thailand and I can’t wait to see the legendary ‘Buakaw’ in person and for our fans all over the world to watch him on the BKFC app. Thailand is a very robust, growing market for BKFC and we’re expecting a massive crowd on hand for ‘Buakaw’s’ bare-knuckle debut. Thanks very much to our partners in Thailand; Nick Chapman and Golf along with the Singha Corporation.”

In his promotional debut, Buakaw will take on Erkan Varol. A native of Turkey, Varol is a kickboxing specialist who holds a record of 88-33 with 46 of his victories coming via knockout.