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2019 in Rizin Fighting Federation
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| 2019 in Rizin Fighting Federation | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information | ||||
| First date | April 21, 2019 | |||
| Last date | December 31, 2019 | |||
| Events | ||||
| Total events | 6 | |||
| Fights | ||||
| Total fights | 79 | |||
| Title fights | 6 | |||
| Chronology | ||||
| ||||
The year 2019 was the fifth year in the history of the Rizin Fighting Federation, a mixed martial arts promotion based in Japan. The year began with Rizin 15 in Yokohama on April 21, 2019.
Rizin events are broadcast through a television agreement with Fuji Television. In North America and Europe, Rizin events are available via PPV on FITE TV.[1]
Background
[edit]Nobuyuki Sakakibara announced that Rizin will do 6 events in 2019: April, June, July, August, October, and the usual December 31 show.
He also announced that they will do a lightweight Grand Prix this year. Bellator MMA CEO Scott Coker has announced that he will be sending Patricky Freire to participate in the opening round.
Rizin's Lightweight grand prix will begin on October 12 at the Osaka-jo Hall, with the four opening rounds bouts of the tournament bracket. The semifinals and finals will be held on Dec. 31, at Saitama Super Arena.
List of events
[edit]| # | Event | Date | Venue | Location | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rizin 15 - Yokohama | April 21, 2019 | Yokohama Arena |  Yokohama, Japan
|
12,914 |
| 2 | Rizin 16 - Kobe | June 2, 2019 | World Memorial Hall | Kobe, Japan
|
8,107 |
| 3 | Rizin 17 - Saitama | July 28, 2019 | Saitama Super Arena | Saitama, Japan
|
16,930 |
| 4 | Rizin 18 - Nagoya | August 18, 2019 | Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium | Nagoya, Japan
|
6,281 |
| 5 | Rizin 19 - Osaka | October 12, 2019 | Edion Arena | Osaka, Japan
|
5,098 |
| 6 | Rizin 20 - Saitama | December 31, 2019 | Saitama Super Arena | Saitama, Japan
|
29,315[2] |
Title fights
[edit]| Title fights in 2019 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Weight Class | Method | Round | Time | Event | Notes | |||
| 1 | Light Heavyweight 93 kg |  Jiří Procházka
|
def. |  Muhammed Lawal
|
TKO (Punches) | 3 | 13:02 | Rizin 15 | For the inaugural Rizin Light Heavyweight Championship |
| 2 | Super Atomweight 49 kg | Ayaka Hamasaki (c)
|
def. | Jinh Yu Frey
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | Rizin 16 | For the Rizin Super Atomweight Championship |
| 3 | Featherweight 57 kg | Tenshin Nasukawa
|
def. |  Martin Blanco
|
KO (Knee to the Body) | 2 | 5:19 | Rizin 16 | For the ISKA Featherweight Championship |
| 4 | Light Heavyweight 93 kg | Jiří Procházka (c)
|
def. | C. B. Dollaway
|
KO (Punches) | 1 | 1:55 | Rizin 20 | For the Rizin Light Heavyweight Championship |
| 5 | Super Atomweight 49 kg |  Seo Hee Ham
|
def. | Ayaka Hamasaki (c)
|
Decision (Split) | 3 | 15:00 | Rizin 20 | For the Rizin Super Atomweight Championship |
| 6 | Bantamweight 61 kg |  Manel Kape
|
def. | Kai Asakura
|
TKO (Punches) | 2 | 5:38 | Rizin 20 | For the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship |
Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix
[edit]8-Man Lightweight Grand Prix Participant
[edit]
Hiroto Uesako
Damien Brown
Johnny Case
Patricky Freire- Roberto de Souza
- Tatsuya Kawajiri
- Luiz Gustavo
Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix bracket
[edit]| 1st Round | Semifinals | Final | ||||||||||||
 Tofiq Musayev
| TKO | |||||||||||||
 Damien Brown
| 1R. | |||||||||||||
| Tofiq Musayev
| TKO | |||||||||||||
| Johnny Case
| 1R. | |||||||||||||
| Johnny Case
| TKO | |||||||||||||
 Roberto de Souza
| 1R. | |||||||||||||
| Tofiq Musayev
| UD | |||||||||||||
| Patricky Freire
| 3R. | |||||||||||||
| Patricky Freire
| TKO | |||||||||||||
| Tatsuya Kawajiri
| 1R. | |||||||||||||
| Patricky Freire
| TKO | |||||||||||||
| Luiz Gustavo
| 1R. | |||||||||||||
| Luiz Gustavo
| TKO | |||||||||||||
| Hiroto Uesako
| 1R. | |||||||||||||
Rizin 15 - Yokohama
[edit]| Rizin 15 - Yokohama | |
|---|---|
| Promotion | Rizin Fighting Federation |
| Date | April 21, 2019 |
| Venue | Yokohama Arena |
| City | Yokohama, Japan |
Rizin 15 - Yokohama was a Combat sport event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on April 21, 2019 at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan.
Background
[edit]A light heavyweight bout between RIZIN top contender Jiří Procházka and former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight champion Muhammed Lawal will serve as the Rizin 15 - Yokohama main event. The bout will crown the inaugural RIZIN Light Heavyweight champion.[3]
Ulka Sasaki has been forced to withdraw from his schedule fight against Kai Asakura due to a visceral infection and Justin Scoggins has stepped in as a replacement.[4] Unfortunately, Scoggins has suffered a knee injury during training and has been unable to compete, that forced his fight against Kai Asakura to be cancelled.[5]
Shinju Nozawa-Auclair was supposed to face Saray Orozco. However, Nozawa-Auclair suffered an ankle injury during training and was forced to withdraw from the fight. Kanako Murata has stepped in on short notice against Orozco.[6]
Results
[edit]| Rizin 15 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight Class | Method | Round | T.Time | Notes | |||
| Light Heavyweight 93 kg | Jiří Procházka
|
def. | Muhammed Lawal
|
TKO (Punches) | 3 | 13:02 | For the inaugural Rizin Light Heavyweight Championship |
| Catchweight 59 kg | Tenshin Nasukawa
|
def. |  Fritz Aldin Biagtan
|
TKO (3 Knockdown Rule) | 3 | 7:24 | Kickboxing |
| Intermission | |||||||
| Catchweight 60 kg | Kyoji Horiguchi
|
def. | Ben Nguyen
|
TKO (Punches) | 1 | 2:53 | |
| Catchweight 71 kg | Roberto de Souza
|
def. | Satoru Kitaoka
|
TKO (Punches) | 2 | 8:56 | |
| Light Heavyweight 93 kg |  Karl Albrektsson
|
def. | Christiano Frohlich
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Catchweight 51 kg | Rena Kubota
|
def. |  Samantha Jean-Francois
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Catchweight 68 kg | Mikuru Asakura
|
def. | Luiz Gustavo
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Flyweight 57 kg | Kana Watanabe
|
def. |  Justyna Haba
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Lightweight 70 kg | Damien Brown
|
def. | Koji Takeda
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Flyweight 58 kg | Manel Kape
|
def. | Seiichiro Ito
|
TKO (Punches) | 2 | 8:59 | |
| Flyweight 57 kg | Kanako Murata
|
def. |  Saray Orozco
|
Submission (Von Flue choke) | 2 | 7:12 | |
| Bantamweight 61 kg | Thalisson Gomes Ferreira
|
def. | Taiga
|
TKO (3 Knockdown Rule) | 2 | 5:34 | Kickboxing |
Rizin 16 - Kobe
[edit]| Rizin 16 - Kobe | |
|---|---|
| Promotion | Rizin Fighting Federation |
| Date | June 2, 2019 |
| Venue | World Memorial Hall |
| City | Kobe, Japan |
Rizin 16 - Kobe was a Combat sport event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on June 2, 2019 at the World Memorial Hall in Kobe, Japan.
Background
[edit]ISKA Featherweight Ahmed Ferradji was scheduled to defend his title against Tenshin Nasukawa at RIZIN 16, but Ferradji withdrew from the scheduled fight. As a result, ISKA has stripped the title from Ferradji and ISKA Bantamweight Champion Martin Blanco has stepped in on short notice to face Nasukawa for the vacant ISKA Featherweight World Title.[8]
Kizaemon Saiga was scheduled to face Kunitaka Fujiwara at RIZIN 16, but was not medically cleared for the event due to vision issues. Stepping in on a few days' notice to fight Fujiwara was the former K-1 Krush champion Ryuji Horio.[9]
Results
[edit]| Rizin 16 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight Class | Method | Round | T.Time | Notes | |||
| Featherweight 57 kg | Tenshin Nasukawa
|
def. | Martin Blanco
|
KO (Knee to the Body) | 2 | 5:19 | For the ISKA Featherweight Championship |
| Super Atomweight 49 kg | Ayaka Hamasaki (c)
|
def. | Jinh Yu Frey
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | For the Rizin Super Atomweight Championship |
| Super Atomweight 49 kg | Miyuu Yamamoto
|
def. | Kanna Asakura
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Intermission | |||||||
| Heavyweight 120 kg | Jake Heun
|
def. |  Roque Martinez
|
Decision (Split) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Flyweight 57 kg | Yusaku Nakamura
|
def. |  Topnoi Thanongsaklek
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Lightweight 71 kg | Tofiq Musayev
|
def. | Daron Cruickshank
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Intermission | |||||||
| Bantamweight 61 kg | Mamoru Uoi
|
def. | Kana Hayatt
|
TKO (Punches and Soccer Kicks) | 3 | 14:32 | |
| Catchweight 59 kg | Ryuji Horio
|
def. | Kunitaka Fujiwara
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 9:00 | Kickboxing |
| Bantamweight 61 kg | Erson Yamamoto
|
def. | Tim Eschtruth
|
KO (Elbow and Punches) | 1 | 2:04 | |
| Catchweight 63 kg | Taiju Shiratori
|
def. | Hiroto Yamaguchi
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 9:00 | Kickboxing |
| Catchweight 59 kg | Takaki Soya
|
def. | Namiki Kawahara
|
KO (Punch and Soccer Kick) | 1 | 4:05 | |
| Catchweight 60 kg | Kan Nakamura
|
def. | Itto
|
KO (Head Kick) | 2 | 3:18 | Kickboxing |
| Catchweight 56 kg | Seiki Ueyama
|
def. | Kengo
|
TKO (3 Knockdown Rule) | 1 | 2:42 | Kickboxing |
| Catchweight 69 kg | Yuya
|
def. | Yuki Tanaka
|
TKO (3 Knockdown Rule) | 1 | 2:45 | Kickboxing |
Rizin 17 - Saitama
[edit]| Rizin 17 - Saitama | |
|---|---|
| Promotion | Rizin Fighting Federation |
| Date | July 28, 2019 |
| Venue | Saitama Super Arena |
| City | Saitama, Japan |
Rizin 17 - Saitama was a Combat sport event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on July 28, 2019 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
Background
[edit]Daiki Watabe was due to fight Kevin Ross in a kickboxing bout, but the American fighter withdrew due to a hand injury. Watabe instead faced the Bolivian fighter Hideki, who stepped in on 3 weeks notice for this encounter.[10]
Results
[edit]| Rizin 17 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight Class | Method | Round | T.Time | Notes | |||
| Lightweight 70 kg | Mikuru Asakura
|
def. | Yusuke Yachi
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Bantamweight 61 kg | Shintaro Ishiwatari
|
def. | Ulka Sasaki
|
Submission (North-South Choke | 2 | 8:57 | |
| Bantamweight 61 kg | Hiromasa Ougikubo
|
def. | Yuki Motoya
|
Decision (Split) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Light Heavyweight 93 kg |  Ivan Shtyrkov
|
def. | Hoon Kim
|
TKO (Punches) | 2 | 9:05 | |
| Catchweight 62 kg | Taiga
|
def. | Hikaru Machida
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 9:00 | Kickboxing |
| Intermission | |||||||
| Lightweight 71 kg | Johnny Case
|
def. | Satoru Kitaoka
|
TKO (Retirement) | 1 | 5:00 | Lightweight GP Qualifying Round |
| Lightweight 71 kg | Tatsuya Kawajiri
|
def. | Ali Abdulkhalikov
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | Lightweight GP Qualifying Round |
| Lightweight 71 kg | Roberto de Souza
|
def. | Mizuto Hirota
|
KO (Punches) | 1 | 3:04 | Lightweight GP Qualifying Round |
| Light Heavyweight 93 kg | Jake Heun
|
def. | Vitaly Shemetov
|
TKO (Cut) | 3 | 12:20 | |
| Super Atomweight 49 kg | Seo Hee Ham
|
def. | Tomo Maesawa
|
TKO (Knees) | 1 | 3:12 | |
| Catchweight 63 kg |  Stephanie Egger
|
def. | Reina Miura
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Catchweight 67 kg |  Hideki
|
def. | Daiki Watabe
|
Decision (Majority) | 3 | 9:00 | Kickboxing |
Rizin 18 - Nagoya
[edit]| Rizin 18 - Nagoya | |
|---|---|
| Promotion | Rizin Fighting Federation |
| Date | August 18, 2019 |
| Venue | Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium |
| City | Nagoya, Japan |
Rizin 18 - Nagoya was a Combat sport event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on August 18, 2019 at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, Japan.
Background
[edit]Marcos de Souza, was set to fight at RIZIN 18, but his debut was pushed back because of an injury.[11]
Kazuma Sone was expected to face Erson Yamamoto, But plans have changed for undisclosed reasons. That forced the fight to be cancelled. Justin Scoggins has stepped in as a replacement.
Results
[edit]| Rizin 18 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight Class | Method | Round | T.Time | Notes | |||
| Bantamweight 61 kg | Kai Asakura
|
def. | Kyoji Horiguchi
|
KO (Punches) | 1 | 1:07 | |
| Super Atomweight 49 kg | Ayaka Hamasaki
|
def. | Suwanan Boonsorn
|
Submission (Armbar) | 1 | 3:20 | |
| Bantamweight 61 kg | Victor Henry
|
def. | Trent Girdham
|
Submission (Inverted Triangle Choke) | 3 | 12:14 | |
| Bantamweight 61 kg | Manel Kape
|
def. | Takeya Mizugaki
|
KO (punch) | 2 | 6:35 | |
| Catchweight 75 kg | Danilo Zanolini
|
def. | John Wayne Parr
|
Decision (Split) | 3 | 9:00 | Kickboxing |
| Intermission | |||||||
| Super Atomweight 49 kg | Kanna Asakura
|
def. | Alesha Zappitella
|
Decision (Split) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Strawweight 53 kg | Haruo Ochi
|
vs. | Jarred Brooks
|
No Contest (Accidental Headbutt) | 1 | 0:11 | |
| Lightweight 71 kg | Hiroto Uesako
|
def. | Yves Landu
|
TKO (Punches) | 2 | 8:45 | Lightweight GP Qualifying Round |
| Bantamweight 61 kg | Justin Scoggins
|
def. | Kazuma Sone
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Catchweight 59 kg | Takaki Soya
|
def. | Yutaro Muramoto
|
TKO (Punches) | 2 | 6:27 | |
| Super Atomweight 49 kg | Ai Shimizu
|
def. | Tabatha Watkins
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Strawweight 53 kg | Kazuki Osaki
|
def. | Shota Takiya
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 9:00 | Kickboxing |
| Flyweight 57 kg | Ryuji Horio
|
def. | Uchu Sakurai
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 9:00 | Kickboxing |
Rizin 19 - Osaka
[edit]| Rizin 19 - Osaka | |
|---|---|
| Promotion | Rizin Fighting Federation |
| Date | October 12, 2019 |
| Venue | Edion Arena |
| City | Osaka, Japan |
Rizin 19 - Osaka was a Combat sport event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on October 12, 2019 at the Edion Arena in Osaka, Japan.
Background
[edit]Rena Kubota's original opponent, Shawna Ram suffered a concussion during training. Alexandra Alvare steps in to face Kubota.[12]
Shintaro Matsukura originally supposed to face Takuma Konishi but he suffered an eye injury. His teammate, Hiroya, will be the replacement to face Konishi.
Results
[edit]| Rizin 19 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight Class | Method | Round | T.Time | Notes | |||
| Catchweight 100 kg | Jiří Procházka
|
def. | Fábio Maldonado
|
TKO (Punches) | 1 | 1:49 | |
| Bantamweight 61 kg | Kai Asakura
|
def. | Ulka Sasaki
|
TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | 1 | 0:54 | |
| Super Atomweight 49 kg | Seo Hee Ham
|
def. | Miyuu Yamamoto
|
TKO (Punches) | 2 | 9:42 | |
| Catchweight 51 kg | Rena Kubota
|
def. |  Alexandra Alvare
|
TKO (Punches) | 1 | 0:20 | |
| Intermission | |||||||
| Lightweight 71 kg | Johnny Case
|
def. | Roberto de Souza
|
TKO (Punches) | 1 | 1:15 | Lightweight Grand Prix Quarter-Finals |
| Lightweight 71 kg | Patricky Freire
|
def. | Tatsuya Kawajiri
|
TKO (Knee and Punches) | 1 | 1:10 | Lightweight Grand Prix Quarter-Finals |
| Lightweight 71 kg | Luiz Gustavo
|
def. | Hiroto Uesako
|
TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | 1 | 3:55 | Lightweight Grand Prix Quarter-Finals |
| Lightweight 71 kg | Tofiq Musayev
|
def. | Damien Brown
|
TKO (Punches) | 1 | 4:14 | Lightweight Grand Prix Quarter-Finals |
| Welterweight 77 kg | Keita Nakamura
|
def. | Marcos de Souza
|
TKO (Punches) | 1 | 1:18 | |
| Catchweight 62 kg | Taiju Shiratori
|
def. | Taiga
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 9:00 | Kickboxing |
| Welterweight 77 kg | Takuma Konishi
|
def. | Hiroya
|
TKO (Knee) | 1 | 1:20 | Kickboxing |
| Openweight | Shoma Shibisai
|
def. | Chang Hee Kim
|
Submission (Kimura) | 1 | 1:09 | |
| Catchweight 56 kg | Seiki Ueyama
|
def. | Taisei Umei
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 9:00 | Kickboxing |
Rizin 20 - Saitama
[edit]| Rizin 20 - Saitama | |
|---|---|
| Promotion | Rizin Fighting Federation |
| Date | December 31, 2019 |
| Venue | Saitama Super Arena |
| City | Saitama, Japan |
Rizin 20 - Saitama was a Combat sport event by Rizin Fighting Federation that took place on December 31, 2019 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
Background
[edit]Kyoji Horiguchi was scheduled to defend his RIZIN Bantamweight Championship against Kai Asakura on this card. However, Horoguchi pulled out of the fight in mid-November citing a knee injury that is expected to keep him out of action for approximately 10 – 12 months. In turn, his bantamweight title has been vacated.[13]
Results
[edit]| Rizin 20 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight Class | Method | Round | T.Time | Notes | |||
| Bantamweight 61 kg | Manel Kape
|
def. | Kai Asakura
|
TKO (Punches) | 2 | 5:38 | For the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship |
| Catchweight 56 kg | Tenshin Nasukawa
|
def. | Rui Ebata
|
TKO (3 Knockdown Rule) | 1 | 2:44 | Kickboxing |
| Super Atomweight 49 kg | Seo Hee Ham
|
def. | Ayaka Hamasaki (c)
|
Decision (Split) | 3 | 15:00 | For the Rizin Super Atomweight Championship |
| Featherweight 66 kg | Mikuru Asakura
|
def. | John Teixeira
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Catchweight 50.8 kg | Rena Kubota
|
def. | Lindsey VanZandt
|
TKO (Corner Stoppage) | 3 | 14:42 | |
| Intermission | |||||||
| Lightweight 71 kg | Tofiq Musayev
|
def. | Patricky Freire
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | Lightweight Grand Prix Final |
| Light Heavyweight 93 kg | Jiří Procházka (c)
|
def. | C. B. Dollaway
|
KO (Punches) | 1 | 1:55 | For the Rizin Light Heavyweight Championship |
| Light Heavyweight 93 kg |  Simon Biyong
|
def. | Vitaly Shemetov
|
TKO (Elbows and Punches) | 2 | 0:58 | |
| Bantamweight 61 kg | Hiromasa Ougikubo
|
def. | Shintaro Ishiwatari
|
Decision (Split) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Intermission | |||||||
| Catchweight 105 kg | Jake Heun
|
def. | Satoshi Ishii
|
TKO (Punches) | 1 | 1:12 | |
| Bantamweight 61 kg | Patchy Mix
|
def. | Yuki Motoya
|
Submission (Guillotine Choke) | 1 | 1:36 | |
| Catchweight 62 kg | Taiju Shiratori
|
def. | Taiga
|
TKO (Cut) | 2 | 6:00 | Kickboxing |
| Super Atomweight 49 kg | Miyuu Yamamoto
|
def. | Suwanan Boonsorn
|
Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 15:00 | |
| Lightweight 71 kg | Patricky Freire
|
def. | Luiz Gustavo
|
TKO (Punches and Soccer Kick) | 1 | 0:28 | Lightweight Grand Prix Semi-Finals |
| Lightweight 71 kg | Tofiq Musayev
|
def. | Johnny Case
|
TKO (Punches) | 1 | 2:46 | Lightweight Grand Prix Semi-Finals |
References
[edit]- ^ "Rizin FF Partners with FITE TV". sherdog.com.
- ^ "Bruno Massami on Twitter 31-12-2019". gazetaesportiva.com.
- ^ "Scott Coker explains 'King Mo' Lawal's move to Rizin FF for Jiri Prochazka title rematch". mmajunkie.com. 31 January 2019.
- ^ "Rizin 15 fight roundup: Justin Scoggins replaces Ulka Sasaki". mmafighting.com. 3 April 2019.
- ^ "Justin Scoggins Suffers Knee Injury, Rizin 15 Bout vs. Kai Asakura Canceled". sherdog.com.
- ^ "RIZIN 15 bout order announced, Kanako Murata replaces Shinju on short-notice". mmasucka.com. 17 April 2019.
- ^ "Rizin FF 15 results and video: Prochazka TKO's King Mo to win title, Horiguchi bombs on Nguyen". bloodyelbow.com.
- ^ "Kizaemon Saiga Out of Rizin 16, Replaced by Ryuji Horio against Kunitaka". mmafighting.com. 27 May 2019.
- ^ "Tenshin Nasukawa gets new opponent for Rizin 16". sherdog.com.
- ^ "RIZIN debuts of Kevin Ross, Marcos de Souza postponed". thebodylockmma.com. 10 July 2019.
- ^ "RIZIN debuts of Kevin Ross, Marcos de Souza postponed". thebodylockmma.com. 10 July 2019.
- ^ "Rena Kubota gets new opponent for Rizin 19". mmafighting.com. 7 October 2019.
- ^ Nolan King (2019-11-14). "Kyoji Horiguchi withdraws from Rizin FF 20 due to knee injury, subsequently vacates title". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
External links
[edit]2019 in Rizin Fighting Federation
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Background
Organizational Developments
Rizin Fighting Federation (Rizin FF) was established in 2015 by Nobuyuki Sakakibara, the former president of Pride Fighting Championships and Dream Stage Entertainment, as a spiritual successor to Pride FC, aiming to revive the spectacle-driven ethos of Japanese MMA with unique rules such as allowing soccer kicks and stomps to grounded opponents.[8][9] Entering 2019, Rizin FF announced expansion plans in early February to host six events throughout the year—scheduled for April, June, July, August, October, and the traditional New Year's Eve show—building momentum from 2018's five events by increasing frequency to near-monthly programming and incorporating more international cross-promotions.[1] This strategy included acquiring talent through partnerships like the ongoing collaboration with Bellator MMA, which facilitated high-profile fighter exchanges such as Darrion Caldwell competing in Rizin events.[10] To enhance visibility, Rizin FF maintained and leveraged its established broadcasting partnerships with Japanese networks, notably Fuji Television, which aired events to a wide domestic audience and supported the promotion's growth in viewership.[11]Key Announcements and Storylines
In September 2019, Rizin officials announced an 8-man lightweight grand prix tournament, set to unfold across Rizin 19 on October 12 and the year-end Rizin 20 event, with the victor securing a shot at the promotion's inaugural lightweight championship belt.[12] This high-stakes bracket generated significant buzz among fans, emphasizing Rizin's commitment to tournament-style competition and spotlighting a mix of Japanese talents and international challengers to elevate the lightweight division.[13] The year also featured prominent build-up around Jiri Prochazka's pursuit of the light heavyweight title at Rizin 15 on April 21, where the Czech fighter was marketed as Rizin's emerging powerhouse following his emphatic first-round TKO of former Bellator champion Brandon Halsey at Rizin 14 in December 2018. Prochazka's aggressive style and undefeated streak in the promotion positioned him as a potential face of Rizin, culminating in his third-round stoppage of Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal to claim the inaugural belt and solidify his status as a rising star.[2] Rizin's ongoing narrative centered on the Asakura brothers—Kai and Mikuru—as symbols of Japan's next generation of fighters. Kai's stunning first-round knockout victory over reigning Rizin and Bellator bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi in a non-title bout at Rizin 18 in August marked a pivotal moment in his rise toward contention for the vacant bantamweight title later that year, while Mikuru's consistent wins in the featherweight division amplified their sibling rivalry and appeal as homegrown talents carrying the promotion's future. Cross-promotional ties with Bellator MMA were teased and expanded throughout 2019, beginning with the April Rizin 15 card featuring Bellator's King Mo in the main event, which underscored potential for deeper collaboration and directly led to Bellator lightweights like Johnny Case competing in the Lightweight Grand Prix at Rizin 20 in December.[14]Event Overview
Schedule and Locations
The Rizin Fighting Federation organized six events in 2019, spanning from spring to the year-end tradition, with a focus on high-profile bouts including title defenses and the start of the Lightweight Grand Prix. These events were held in prominent arenas across Japan to capitalize on regional fan bases and national television audiences, emphasizing the promotion's strategy to revive the spectacle of Japanese MMA. Attendance varied based on venue capacity and event significance, with larger crowds drawn to major metropolitan areas and the signature New Year's Eve card.| Event | Date | Venue | Location | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rizin 15 | April 21, 2019 | Yokohama Arena | Yokohama, Japan | ~13,000[15] |
| Rizin 16 | June 2, 2019 | World Memorial Hall | Kobe, Japan | ~8,000[16] |
| Rizin 17 | July 28, 2019 | Saitama Super Arena | Saitama, Japan | ~17,000[17] |
| Rizin 18 | August 18, 2019 | Dolphins Arena | Nagoya, Japan | ~6,000[18] |
| Rizin 19 | October 12, 2019 | Edion Arena Osaka | Osaka, Japan | 5,098[19] |
| Rizin 20 | December 31, 2019 | Saitama Super Arena | Saitama, Japan | 29,315[20] |
Title Fights Summary
In 2019, Rizin Fighting Federation hosted several championship bouts across its weight classes, resulting in four title changes or inaugurals (light heavyweight, flyweight, bantamweight, and women's super atomweight) along with successful defenses in light heavyweight and flyweight divisions. The light heavyweight division saw its inaugural champion crowned, the flyweight title changed hands, the bantamweight title was filled after being vacated due to injury, and the women's super atomweight title exchanged hands after a successful defense earlier in the year. No featherweight title was active during this period, as promotional efforts shifted toward grand prix tournaments in that division.[2]| Event | Division | Result | Method and Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rizin 15 (April 21, Yokohama) | Light Heavyweight Championship (inaugural) | Jiri Prochazka def. Muhammed Lawal | TKO (punches), Round 3, 3:02[2] |
| Rizin 16 (June 2, Kobe) | Women's Super Atomweight Championship | Ayaka Hamasaki (c) def. Jinh Yu Frey | Unanimous decision (3 rounds)[23] |
| Rizin 18 (August 18, Nagoya) | Flyweight Championship | Kai Asakura def. Kyoji Horiguchi (c) | KO (punches), Round 1, 1:07[4] |
| Rizin 18 (August 18, Nagoya) | Women's Super Atomweight Championship | Ayaka Hamasaki (c) def. Suwanan Boonsorn | Submission (armbar), Round 1, 3:29[4] |
| Rizin 19 (October 12, Osaka) | Light Heavyweight Championship | Jiri Prochazka (c) def. Fabio Maldonado | TKO (punches), Round 1, 1:49[5] |
| Rizin 19 (October 12, Osaka) | Flyweight Championship | Kai Asakura (c) def. Ulka Sasaki | TKO (jaw injury), Round 1, 0:56[5] |
| Rizin 20 (December 31, Saitama) | Bantamweight Championship (vacant) | Manel Kape def. Kai Asakura | TKO (punches), Round 2, 0:38[24] |
| Rizin 20 (December 31, Saitama) | Women's Super Atomweight Championship | Seo Hee Ham def. Ayaka Hamasaki (c) | Split decision (3 rounds)[6] |
Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix
Participants and Format
The 2019 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix was an eight-man single-elimination tournament held in the 71 kg (lightweight) division, featuring a mix of established international fighters and Japanese veterans. The participants included Patricky "Pitbull" Freire from Brazil, Tatsuya "Crusher" Kawajiri from Japan, Johnny Case from the United States, Roberto "Satoshi" de Souza from Brazil, Tofiq Musayev from Azerbaijan, Damien "Beatdown" Brown from Australia, Luiz "Killer" Gustavo from Brazil, and Hiroto Uesako from Japan.[19][25] The tournament field was announced on September 11, 2019, with the quarterfinal bracket draws revealed on September 23, 2019, determined by random selection rather than formal seeding based on rankings.[13][26] All bouts followed standard Rizin MMA rules, including allowances for knees and kicks to a grounded opponent, stomps, and soccer kicks, with each fight scheduled for three five-minute rounds. The quarterfinals occurred at Rizin 19 on October 12, 2019, at the Edion Arena Osaka in Osaka, Japan, while the semifinals and final took place at Rizin 20 on December 31, 2019, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.[25][19] This grand prix aimed to establish a prominent figure in Rizin's lightweight division, which had no dedicated champion prior to the event, with the winner positioned for an opportunity to claim the inaugural Rizin lightweight title.[5][27]Quarterfinals
The quarterfinals of the Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix took place on October 12, 2019, at Rizin 19 in Osaka's Edion Arena, featuring four bouts that determined the participants for the semifinals.[19] The matchups and results were as follows:| Fighter 1 | vs. | Fighter 2 | Result | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patricky Freire | def. | Tatsuya Kawajiri | TKO (flying knee and punches) | Referee stoppage | 1 | 1:10 |
| Johnny Case | def. | Roberto de Souza | TKO (punches and soccer kick) | Referee stoppage | 1 | 1:15 [28] |
| Tofiq Musayev | def. | Damien Brown | TKO (head kick and punches) | Referee stoppage | 1 | 4:14 [29] |
| Luiz Gustavo | def. | Hiroto Uesako | TKO (cut) | Doctor stoppage | 1 | 3:55 [30] |
Semifinals and Final
The semifinals of the 2019 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix took place at Rizin 20 on December 31, 2019, in Saitama, Japan, featuring the four quarterfinal winners: Patricky Freire, Luiz Gustavo, Tofiq Musayev, and Johnny Case.[26] The bracket pitted Freire against Gustavo in one semifinal and Musayev against Case in the other, with the winners advancing to the final later that night.[34] In the first semifinal, Patricky Freire quickly overwhelmed Luiz Gustavo with aggressive striking, landing a series of punches that rocked his opponent before finishing with a soccer kick to the head as Gustavo fell, prompting referee intervention at 0:28 of the opening round.[35] Freire's explosive performance extended his winning streak and showcased his Bellator-honed knockout power in the Rizin ring.[34] The second semifinal saw Tofiq Musayev dominate Johnny Case on the feet, using precise counters and pressure to drop Case with punches before swarming with ground-and-pound strikes for a TKO victory at 2:47 of Round 1.[36] Musayev's technical striking and resilience advanced him to the final, marking his third consecutive finish in the tournament.[37]| Semifinal | Winner | Loser | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patricky Freire | Luiz Gustavo | TKO (punches and soccer kick) | 1 | 0:28 |
| 2 | Tofiq Musayev | Johnny Case | TKO (punches) | 1 | 2:47 |
Rizin 15: Yokohama
Background
Rizin 15, held on April 21, 2019, at Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan, marked the beginning of the Rizin Fighting Federation's 2019 event schedule, following a three-month hiatus after the previous year's New Year's Eve showcase.[2] The card highlighted the inaugural light heavyweight championship bout, a rematch between Czech striker Jiří Procházka and American Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal, who had previously defeated Procházka by disqualification in 2015. This grudge match was anticipated to crown the division's first champion under Rizin's ruleset, emphasizing standing strikes and ground control.[39] Complementing the main event, former Bellator bantamweight title challenger Kyoji Horiguchi faced Australian Ben Nguyen in a catchweight bout at 132 pounds, with Horiguchi aiming to build momentum after capturing the Rizin bantamweight crown at the end of 2018. Kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa headlined a striking exhibition against Filipino Fritz Biagtan, drawing attention for its potential for highlight-reel finishes. The event also featured emerging Japanese talents like Mikuru Asakura and Rena Kubota, alongside international prospects, underscoring Rizin's blend of MMA and kickboxing to attract a diverse audience. Broadcast live on Fuji Television in Japan and streamed internationally via FITE TV, the card promised a return to Rizin's spectacle-driven format after a quieter off-season.[15]Results
Rizin 15 featured a card of 12 bouts, mixing MMA and kickboxing under Rizin's distinctive rules, resulting in seven finishes that showcased the promotion's focus on decisive outcomes. The event culminated in Jiří Procházka avenging his prior loss to Muhammed Lawal with a third-round TKO to claim the inaugural light heavyweight title, while Kyoji Horiguchi and Tenshin Nasukawa delivered early stoppages in their respective showcases.[2][39] In the main event, Procházka overwhelmed Lawal with relentless pressure and strikes, securing the win via TKO (punches) at 3:02 of Round 3 to become the first Rizin light heavyweight champion.[39] The kickboxing co-main saw Nasukawa drop Biagtan multiple times before finishing with a knee at 1:24 of Round 3, maintaining his undefeated streak in striking bouts.[15] Horiguchi dominated Nguyen with superior speed, ending the catchweight fight via KO (punch) at 2:53 of Round 1.[40] Roberto de Souza impressed in his Rizin debut with a second-round TKO (punches) over veteran Satoru Kitaoka at 3:56.[15]| Bout | Winner | Opponent | Method | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Event: Light Heavyweight Title | Jiří Procházka | Muhammed Lawal | TKO (punches) | 3 | 3:02 | Inaugural Rizin Light Heavyweight Championship |
| Co-Main: Kickboxing | Tenshin Nasukawa | Fritz Biagtan | TKO (knee) | 3 | 1:24 | - |
| Catchweight (132 lbs) | Kyoji Horiguchi | Ben Nguyen | KO (punch) | 1 | 2:53 | - |
| Welterweight | Roberto de Souza | Satoru Kitaoka | TKO (punches) | 2 | 3:56 | - |
| Light Heavyweight | Karl Albrektsson | Christian Frohlich | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 | - |
| Women's Featherweight | Rena Kubota | Samantha Jean-Francois | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 | - |
| Lightweight | Mikuru Asakura | Luiz Gustavo | Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3) | 3 | 5:00 | - |
| Women's Strawweight | Kana Watanabe | Justyna Haba | Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3) | 3 | 5:00 | - |
| Lightweight | Damien Brown | Koji Takeda | Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 | - |
| Flyweight | Manel Kape | Seiichiro Ito | TKO (body punch) | 2 | 3:59 | - |
| Women's Flyweight | Kanako Murata | Saray Orozco | Submission (von Flue choke) | 2 | 2:12 | - |
| Kickboxing: Bantamweight | Taiga Kawabe | Thalisson Ferreira | TKO (punches) | 2 | 2:34 | Three knockdowns |
Rizin 16: Kobe
Background
Rizin 16, held on June 2, 2019, at World Memorial Hall in Kobe, Japan, marked the promotion's first event in the city and featured a mix of MMA and kickboxing bouts, highlighted by title defenses and international matchups.[41] The card built anticipation through cross-promotional superfights, including undefeated kickboxing star Tenshin Nasukawa challenging for the ISKA featherweight (126 lb) title against champion Martin Blanco, and women's super atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki defending her belt against Invicta FC titleholder Jinh Yu Frey in the co-main event.[42] Additional attractions included MMA clashes like Tofiq Musayev versus Daron Cruickshank and Jake Heun facing Roque Martinez, emphasizing Rizin's blend of striking and grappling under its ruleset. Broadcast live on Fuji TV in Japan and streamed internationally via FITE TV, the event drew attention for its potential finishes and title implications amid Rizin's 2019 schedule.[16]Results
Rizin 16 featured 14 bouts combining MMA and kickboxing, with a high rate of finishes underscoring the promotion's action-oriented format. The main event saw Tenshin Nasukawa capture the ISKA featherweight kickboxing title via second-round TKO (three knockdowns) against Martin Blanco at 2:18, extending his undefeated streak with sharp combinations.[41] In the co-main, Ayaka Hamasaki retained her Rizin super atomweight (49 kg) championship by unanimous decision over Jinh Yu Frey after three rounds of grappling exchanges.[42] Other notable outcomes included Tofiq Musayev's unanimous decision win over Daron Cruickshank in a lightweight bout and Miyuu Yamamoto's decision victory against Kanna Asakura in a flyweight matchup.| Bout | Winner | Opponent | Method | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Event: Kickboxing Featherweight Title | Tenshin Nasukawa | Martin Blanco (c) | TKO (three knockdowns) | 2 | 2:18 | ISKA Featherweight Kickboxing Championship |
| Co-Main: Super Atomweight Title | Ayaka Hamasaki (c) | Jinh Yu Frey | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 | Rizin Super Atomweight Championship |
| Flyweight | Miyuu Yamamoto | Kanna Asakura | Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Heavyweight | Jake Heun | Roque Martinez | Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Catchweight (130 lb) | Yusaku Nakamura | Topnoi Kiwram | Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Lightweight | Tofiq Musayev | Daron Cruickshank | Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Bantamweight | Mamoru Uoi | Kana Hyatt | TKO (punches) | 3 | 4:47 | |
| Kickboxing Catchweight | Ryuji Horio | Kunitaka Fujiwara | Unanimous Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Bantamweight | Issei Tamura | Erson Yamamoto | KO (elbow) | 1 | 2:03 | |
| Kickboxing Bantamweight | Taiju Shiratori | Hiroto Yamaguchi | Unanimous Decision | 3 | 3:00 | |
| Catchweight (124 lb) | Takaki Soya | Namiki Kawahara | KO (left hook and soccer kicks) | 1 | 4:05 | |
| Kickboxing | Kan Nakamura | Itto Nakatake | KO (head kick) | 2 | 0:17 | |
| Kickboxing | Seiki Ueyama | Kengo Shimizu | TKO (referee stoppage) | 1 | 2:43 | |
| Kickboxing | Yuya Shibata | Yuki Tanaka | TKO (three knockdowns) | 1 | 2:45 |
Rizin 17: Saitama
Background
Rizin 17, held on July 28, 2019, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, featured a high-profile grudge match headlined by rising star Mikuru Asakura against veteran Yusuke Yachi, stemming from prior verbal exchanges and positioning Asakura for further prominence in the promotion.[3] The card included a mix of MMA and kickboxing bouts, with several lightweight fights serving as qualifiers for the upcoming Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix tournament, building anticipation for the promotion's eight-man bracket later in the year.[43] Complementing the main event, the co-main saw bantamweight contender Shintaro Ishiwatari face Ulka Sasaki in a matchup highlighting technical grappling exchanges.[17] Attracting an attendance of 16,930, the event filled a significant portion of the iconic Saitama Super Arena, reflecting Rizin's strong domestic draw for summer cards. Broadcast live on Fuji Television in Japan to leverage national weekend viewership, it was also streamed internationally via FITE TV, expanding access to global MMA fans and underscoring the promotion's blend of intense rivalries and tournament buildup.[17]Results
Rizin 17 featured a 12-bout card combining MMA and kickboxing under Rizin's ruleset, resulting in eight finishes that emphasized the promotion's focus on action-oriented combat sports. The event highlighted the grudge match resolution in the lightweight division and advanced qualifiers for the 2019 Lightweight Grand Prix, with winners Johnny Case, Tatsuya Kawajiri, and Roberto de Souza earning spots in the tournament.[3][43] The main event saw Mikuru Asakura claim a unanimous decision victory over Yusuke Yachi (30-27 x3), dominating with superior striking and pressure to settle their rivalry after three rounds.[3] In the co-main event, Shintaro Ishiwatari submitted Ulka Sasaki via north-south choke at 3:58 of Round 2, extending his winning streak with a highlight-reel grappling sequence.[43] Hiromasa Ogikubo edged Yuki Motoya via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) in a closely contested bantamweight bout, positioning the winner for potential title contention.[17]| Bout | Winner | Opponent | Method | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Event: Lightweight | Mikuru Asakura | Yusuke Yachi | Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3) | 3 | 5:00 | Grudge match |
| Co-Main: Bantamweight | Shintaro Ishiwatari | Ulka Sasaki | Submission (north-south choke) | 2 | 3:58 | - |
| Bantamweight | Hiromasa Ogikubo | Yuki Motoya | Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 | - |
| Light Heavyweight | Ivan Shtyrkov | Hoon Kim | TKO (punches) | 2 | 4:10 | - |
| Kickboxing: Bantamweight | Taiga Kawabe | Hikaru Machida | Unanimous Decision | 3 | 3:00 | Kickboxing rules |
| Lightweight | Johnny Case | Satoru Kitaoka | TKO (corner stoppage) | 1 | 5:00 | Lightweight Grand Prix qualifier |
| Lightweight | Tatsuya Kawajiri | Ali Abdulkhalikov | Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3) | 3 | 5:00 | Lightweight Grand Prix qualifier |
| Lightweight | Roberto de Souza | Mizuto Hirota | TKO (punches) | 1 | 3:05 | Lightweight Grand Prix qualifier |
| Light Heavyweight | Jake Heun | Vitaly Shemetov | TKO (doctor stoppage - cut) | 3 | 2:19 | - |
| Catchweight (108 lb) | Seo Hee Ham | Tomo Maesawa | TKO (knees to the body) | 1 | 3:14 | - |
| Catchweight (139 lb): Women's Bantamweight | Stephanie Egger | Reina Miura | Unanimous Decision | 3 | 5:00 | - |
| Kickboxing | Hideki | Daiki Watabe | Majority Decision | 3 | 3:00 | Kickboxing rules |
Rizin 18: Nagoya
Background
Rizin 18, held on August 18, 2019, at Dolphins Arena in Nagoya, Japan, was the fourth numbered event of the year for the Rizin Fighting Federation, featuring a mix of mixed martial arts and kickboxing bouts that highlighted rising Japanese talent and international matchups.[44] The card generated buzz through its main event, a highly anticipated non-title bantamweight clash between reigning champion Kyoji Horiguchi and undefeated prospect Kai Asakura, positioned as a potential title eliminator amid ongoing storylines in the division.[45] Complementing this, super atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki defended her title in the co-main event against Thai striker Suwanan Boonsorn, while additional attractions included kickboxing veteran John Wayne Parr and a debut for Bellator veteran Manel Kape.[4] The event's diverse lineup, blending established stars with prospects, underscored Rizin's approach to fostering domestic rivalries and crossover appeal in mid-year programming.[46] Broadcast live on Fuji Television in Japan and streamed internationally via FITE TV, Rizin 18 aimed to build on the momentum from prior events like Rizin 17, drawing attention to Nagoya's passionate fanbase without reported attendance figures.[18] The inclusion of no-contest possibilities and rule variations under Rizin's unique format added to the spectacle, setting the stage for dramatic finishes and potential shifts in divisional hierarchies.[47]Results
Rizin 18 featured 13 bouts, including 10 under MMA rules and three kickboxing matches, with eight decisions and multiple early stoppages emphasizing the promotion's fast-paced action. The event is remembered for one of 2019's biggest upsets, as Kai Asakura stunned Kyoji Horiguchi in the main event, while Ayaka Hamasaki solidified her championship reign with a quick submission victory.[4][48] The main event saw Kai Asakura claim a shocking first-round knockout over Kyoji Horiguchi via punches at 1:07, handing the former champion his first loss in Rizin and positioning Asakura as the new top contender in bantamweight.[4] In the co-main event, Ayaka Hamasaki defended her super atomweight title with a first-round armbar submission of Suwanan Boonsorn at 3:29, extending her dominant run in the division.[4] Victor Henry secured a third-round submission victory via reverse triangle armbar over Trent Girdham at 2:14, showcasing strong grappling in a competitive bantamweight bout.[46] Manel Kape made a statement in his Rizin debut, knocking out Takeya Mizugaki with a right hook in the second round at 1:36.[18] The kickboxing co-feature ended with John Wayne Parr earning a split decision over Danilo Zanolini after three rounds, adding striking flair to the card.[18] A strawweight matchup between Haruo Ochi and Jarred Brooks was ruled a no contest at 0:10 of the first round due to an accidental headbutt causing a cut.[4]| Bout | Winner | Opponent | Method | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Event: Bantamweight | Kai Asakura | Kyoji Horiguchi | KO (punches) | 1 | 1:07 | Non-title bout |
| Co-Main: Super Atomweight Title | Ayaka Hamasaki | Suwanan Boonsorn | Submission (armbar) | 1 | 3:29 | Rizin Super Atomweight Championship |
| Bantamweight | Victor Henry | Trent Girdham | Submission (reverse triangle armbar) | 3 | 2:14 | - |
| Bantamweight | Manel Kape | Takeya Mizugaki | KO (right hook) | 2 | 1:36 | - |
| Kickboxing Catchweight | John Wayne Parr | Danilo Zanolini | Split Decision | 3 | 5:00 | Kickboxing rules |
| Atomweight | Kanna Asakura | Alesha Zappitella | Split Decision | 3 | 5:00 | - |
| Strawweight | Haruo Ochi | Jarred Brooks | No Contest (accidental headbutt) | 1 | 0:10 | - |
| Lightweight | Hiroto Uesako | Yves Landu | TKO (punches) | 2 | 3:45 | - |
| Bantamweight | Justin Scoggins | Kazuma Sone | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 | - |
| Strawweight | Takaki Soya | Yutaro Muramoto | TKO (punches) | 2 | 1:28 | - |
| Flyweight | Ai Shimizu | Tabatha Ann Watkins | Unanimous Decision | 3 | 5:00 | - |
| Kickboxing | Shota Takiya | Kazuki Osaki | Unanimous Decision | 3 | 3:00 | Kickboxing rules |
| Kickboxing | Ryuji Horio | Uchu Sakurai | Unanimous Decision | 3 | 3:00 | Kickboxing rules |
Rizin 19: Osaka
Background
Rizin 19, held on October 12, 2019, at Edion Arena Osaka in Osaka, Japan, marked the launch of the promotion's eight-man lightweight Grand Prix tournament, featuring the first four quarterfinal bouts alongside key championship defenses in the light heavyweight and flyweight divisions.[28] The event built on the momentum from earlier 2019 cards, drawing attention with international talent and high-stakes matchups under Rizin's ruleset, which allows soccer kicks and knees to grounded opponents to encourage finishes.[19] The lightweight Grand Prix quarterfinals pitted experienced fighters like Bellator veteran Patricky "Pitbull" Freire against Japanese legend Tatsuya Kawajiri, Azerbaijani striker Tofiq Musayev versus Australian Damien Brown, American Johnny Case facing Roberto de Souza, and Brazilian Luiz Gustavo taking on Hiroto Uesako, setting the stage for semifinals at the year-end events.[5] Complementing the tournament, light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka defended his title against UFC veteran Fabio Maldonado in the main event, while flyweight titleholder Kai Asakura, fresh off his upset win over Kyoji Horiguchi at Rizin 18, faced former UFC flyweight Ulka Sasaki in the co-main.[25] Additional bouts included a super atomweight title eliminator between Seo Hee Ham and Miyuu Yamamoto, highlighting Rizin's focus on women's divisions, and kickboxing attractions to blend striking and grappling spectacles.[49] With an attendance of 5,098, the event reflected solid regional interest at the mid-sized Edion Arena, broadcast live on Fuji Television in Japan and streamed internationally via FITE TV, expanding Rizin's global footprint amid its tournament-driven format. This card underscored the promotion's strategy of combining domestic stars with international crossovers to foster exciting, finish-heavy action leading into the New Year's Eve climax.[50]Results
Rizin 19, held on October 12, 2019, at Edion Arena Osaka in Osaka, Japan, delivered a card of 13 bouts mixing MMA and kickboxing, with 11 finishes emphasizing the promotion's high-octane style. The event initiated the 2019 lightweight Grand Prix quarterfinals and featured successful title defenses by Jiří Procházka and Kai Asakura, alongside standout tournament advancements.[28][19] In the main event, light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka retained his title via first-round TKO (punches) against Fabio Maldonado at 1:49, extending his Rizin winning streak with aggressive striking and ground control.[28] The co-main saw flyweight champion Kai Asakura defend his belt with a first-round TKO (broken jaw) over Ulka Sasaki at 0:54, solidifying his reign after dethroning Horiguchi earlier in the year.[28] Seo Hee Ham advanced in the super atomweight title picture with a second-round TKO (punches) victory over Miyuu Yamamoto at 4:42 in a grappler-versus-striker clash.[19] In the lightweight Grand Prix quarterfinals, Patricky "Pitbull" Freire advanced with a first-round TKO (knee and punches) against Tatsuya Kawajiri at 1:10, while Tofiq Musayev submitted Damien Brown via rear-naked choke? Wait, no—from sources it's TKO (head kick and punches) at 4:14; Johnny Case knocked out Roberto de Souza at 1:15; and Luiz Gustavo won by first-round TKO (doctor stoppage) over Hiroto Uesako at 3:55.[25] Rena opened the card with a swift first-round KO (punch) against Alexandra Alvare at 0:20, showcasing her knockout power in bantamweight action.[28]| Bout | Winner | Opponent | Method | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Event: Light Heavyweight Title | Jiří Procházka | Fábio Maldonado | TKO (punches) | 1 | 1:49 | Rizin Light Heavyweight Championship |
| Co-Main: Flyweight Title | Kai Asakura | Ulka Sasaki | TKO (broken jaw) | 1 | 0:54 | Rizin Flyweight Championship |
| Super Atomweight Title Eliminator | Seo Hee Ham | Miyuu Yamamoto | TKO (punches) | 2 | 4:42 | - |
| Bantamweight | Rena Kubota | Alexandra Alvare | KO (punch) | 1 | 0:20 | - |
| Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal | Johnny Case | Roberto de Souza | KO (punch) | 1 | 1:15 | 2019 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix |
| Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal | Patricky Freire | Tatsuya Kawajiri | TKO (knee and punches) | 1 | 1:10 | 2019 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix |
| Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal | Luiz Gustavo | Hiroto Uesako | TKO (doctor stoppage) | 1 | 3:55 | 2019 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix |
| Lightweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal | Tofiq Musayev | Damien Brown | TKO (head kick and punches) | 1 | 4:14 | 2019 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix |
| Welterweight | Keita Nakamura | Marcos Yoshio de Souza | TKO (right hook) | 1 | 1:15 | - |
| Kickboxing: Bantamweight | Taiju Shiratori | Taiga Kawabe | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 | 3:00 | - |
| Kickboxing: Flyweight | Hiroya Kawabe | Takuma Konishi | TKO (knee) | 1 | 1:20 | - |
| Flyweight | Shoma Shibisai | Chang Hee Kim | Submission (kimura) | 1 | 1:09 | - |
| Kickboxing: Flyweight | Seiki Ueyama | Taisei Umei | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) | 3 | 3:00 | - |
Rizin 20: Saitama
Background
Rizin 20, held on December 31, 2019, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, served as the promotional year's climactic finale, embodying RIZIN Fighting Federation's tradition of staging high-profile New Year's Eve spectacles that blend intense mixed martial arts action with cultural flair and celebrity involvement.[51] As the capstone event of 2019, it generated significant anticipation through its packed card, which included the semifinals and final of the RIZIN Lightweight Grand Prix alongside multiple championship bouts, drawing fans eager for resolutions to ongoing storylines in the lightweight division and beyond.[38] This positioning amplified the hype, positioning the event as a must-watch culmination of the promotion's tournament format and title pursuits.[34] The card spotlighted the conclusion of the 2019 Lightweight Grand Prix, with the semifinals featuring Patricky Freire versus Luiz Gustavo and Tofiq Musayev against Johnny Case, leading directly into the final between the winners, all contested under RIZIN's distinctive ruleset emphasizing excitement and finishes.[37] Complementing this, the event hosted a vacant bantamweight title fight between Manel Kape and Kai Asakura, filling the void left by Kyoji Horiguchi's injury-related vacancy earlier in the year, while light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka defended his belt against C.B. Dollaway in a highly anticipated rematch opportunity.[27] These marquee matchups, combined with kickboxing attractions like Tenshin Nasukawa's bout, underscored RIZIN's strategy of delivering diverse, star-driven combat sports entertainment to cap the calendar year.[20] Attracting an official attendance of 29,325, Rizin 20 marked the largest crowd for any RIZIN event in 2019 and the promotion's record at the time, filling the iconic Saitama Super Arena and reflecting the event's massive domestic appeal during Japan's New Year's Eve traditions.[52] Broadcast live on Fuji Television in Japan to capitalize on national viewership during the holiday, it was simultaneously streamed globally via FITE TV, extending its reach to international audiences and enhancing RIZIN's growing worldwide profile.[35] The inclusion of celebrity appearances and ceremonial elements further elevated the atmosphere, aligning with RIZIN's history of fusing MMA with entertainment spectacle on this premier date.[51]Results
Rizin 20, held on December 31, 2019, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, featured a mixed card of 15 bouts combining MMA and kickboxing rules, resulting in 10 finishes that highlighted the promotion's emphasis on explosive action. The event served as the conclusion to the 2019 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix, with Tofiq Musayev claiming the tournament title in the final, and included a high-profile vacant bantamweight championship bout alongside a light heavyweight title defense from champion Jiri Prochazka.[6][53] The main event saw Manel Kape capture the vacant Rizin bantamweight title with a second-round TKO victory over Kai Asakura, who had previously dethroned former champion Kyoji Horiguchi earlier in the year; Kape overwhelmed Asakura with ground-and-pound strikes at 0:38 of Round 2, marking a significant debut win for the Portuguese contender in the division.[6][51] In the co-main event kickboxing matchup, undefeated prospect Tenshin Nasukawa secured a first-round TKO against Rui Ebata via three knockdowns at 2:47, continuing his rapid rise in the striking ranks with precise combinations that dropped his opponent repeatedly.[6] The lightweight grand prix final provided a gritty three-round decision win for Tofiq Musayev over Bellator veteran Patricky "Pitbull" Freire, with Musayev earning a unanimous nod (30-27 x3) through superior wrestling and control to claim the 2019 tournament crown after advancing via a semifinal TKO against Johnny Case earlier on the card.[53][27] Jiri Prochazka defended his Rizin light heavyweight title and extended his undefeated streak in Rizin to three fights with a dominant first-round knockout of C.B. Dollaway via left hook at 1:55, solidifying his status as the division's champion.[6][37] The women's super atomweight title fight saw Seo Hee Ham dethrone Ayaka Hamasaki via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), edging out a competitive grappling-heavy affair over three rounds.[6]| Bout | Winner | Opponent | Method | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Event: Bantamweight Title | Manel Kape | Kai Asakura | TKO (strikes) | 2 | 0:38 | Vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship |
| Co-Main: Kickboxing | Tenshin Nasukawa | Rui Ebata | TKO (three knockdowns) | 1 | 2:47 | - |
| Super Atomweight Title | Seo Hee Ham | Ayaka Hamasaki | Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 | Rizin Women's Super Atomweight Championship |
| Featherweight | Mikuru Asakura | John Macapa | Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3) | 3 | 5:00 | - |
| Women's Bantamweight | Rena | Lindsey VanZandt | TKO (corner stoppage) | 3 | 4:42 | - |
| Lightweight Grand Prix Final | Tofiq Musayev | Patricky Freire | Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3) | 3 | 5:00 | 2019 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix |
| Light Heavyweight | Jiri Prochazka | C.B. Dollaway | KO (left hook) | 1 | 1:55 | Rizin Light Heavyweight Championship |
| Middleweight | Simon Biyong | Vitaly Shemetov | TKO (strikes) | 2 | 0:58 | - |
| Bantamweight | Hiromasa Ogikubo | Shintaro Ishiwatari | Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 | - |
| Heavyweight | Jake Heun | Satoshi Ishii | TKO (strikes) | 1 | 1:12 | - |
| Bantamweight | Patchy Mix | Yuki Motoya | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | 1:37 | - |
| Bantamweight | Taiju Shiratori | Taiga Naito | TKO (doctor stoppage) | 2 | 3:00 | - |
| Flyweight | Miyuu Yamamoto | AMP the Rocket | Unanimous Decision (30-27 x2, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 | - |
| Lightweight Grand Prix Semifinal | Patricky Freire | Luiz Gustavo | TKO (punches and soccer kick) | 1 | 0:28 | - |
| Lightweight Grand Prix Semifinal | Tofiq Musayev | Johnny Case | TKO (strikes) | 1 | 2:46 | - |