Tag: Rizin

Patricio Pitbull defeats Kleber Koike in unanimous decision all-Brazilian clash – Bellator vs. Rizin Highlights

Patricio Pitbull BellatorReigning Bellator MMA featherweight kingpin, Patricio Pitbull continues his dominant run in a gold laiden career, tonight defeating Rizin FF lightweight champion, Kleber Koike in a unanimous decision effort in the co-main event of Bellator MMA vs. Rizin in Japan. Pitbull, who now moves to an impressive 35-5 as a professional win his win over […]

Patricio Pitbull Bellator

Reigning Bellator MMA featherweight kingpin, Patricio Pitbull continues his dominant run in a gold laiden career, tonight defeating Rizin FF lightweight champion, Kleber Koike in a unanimous decision effort in the co-main event of Bellator MMA vs. Rizin in Japan.

Pitbull, who now moves to an impressive 35-5 as a professional win his win over Sao Paulo native, Koike, handed the former KSW gold holder a unanimous decision defeat in their non-title bout in Saitama.

The victory comes as Pitbull’s third on the bounce, having previously reclaimed the Bellator featherweight crown in a rematch win over A.J. McKee, before defending successfully against Adam Borics.

Landing the heavier strikes throughout the opening round, Pitbull was, however, landed on the canvas in the closing stages of the frame — with Koike executing a perfectly-timed judo hip toss.

However, it was Pitbull who emerged with the victory, securing a unanimous decision triumph, on a main card containing consecutive judging successes for Bellator so far.

Below, catch the highlights from Patricio Pitbull’s win over Kleber Koike

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.

Bellator MMA Vs. RIZIN FF Results And Highlights: Bellator Sweeps RIZIN

Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN FF took place on New Year’s Eve at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan, and MMA News has all of the results and highlights from the event! The two organizations have collaborated on events and shared fighters in the past, but …

Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN FF took place on New Year’s Eve at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan, and MMA News has all of the results and highlights from the event! The two organizations have collaborated on events and shared fighters in the past, but this was the first time they’ve co-promoted an event entirely…

Continue Reading Bellator MMA Vs. RIZIN FF Results And Highlights: Bellator Sweeps RIZIN at MMA News.

RIZIN 40 Sleeper Scrap: Junior Tafa vs. Tsuyoshi Sudario

Welcome to the MMA News’ Sleeper Scrap! The relentless schedule of the MMA world means that some fans don’t have a full look at a fight card until days before the event, leaving the promoters to decide which bouts you should be paying the most attentio…

Welcome to the MMA News’ Sleeper Scrap! The relentless schedule of the MMA world means that some fans don’t have a full look at a fight card until days before the event, leaving the promoters to decide which bouts you should be paying the most attention to. Everyone wants to tune in for main events…

Continue Reading RIZIN 40 Sleeper Scrap: Junior Tafa vs. Tsuyoshi Sudario at MMA News.

Four Matchups Announced For Bellator vs. Rizin On Dec. 31

Four matchups have been announced for Bellator MMA and Rizin Fighting Federation’s latest collaboration, set for New Year’s Eve in Japan. On Monday, it was announced that the North American and Asian promotions will pair up to close ou…

Four matchups have been announced for Bellator MMA and Rizin Fighting Federation’s latest collaboration, set for New Year’s Eve in Japan. On Monday, it was announced that the North American and Asian promotions will pair up to close out the year with a card from the Saitama Super Arena, which is set to air at 8PM…

Continue Reading Four Matchups Announced For Bellator vs. Rizin On Dec. 31 at MMA News.