2020 in Rizin Fighting Federation

The year 2020 was the sixth year in the history of the Rizin Fighting Federation, a mixed martial arts promotion based in Japan. The year began withRizin 21 in Hamamatsu on February 22, 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic would put the promotion on hiatus until Rizin 22 on August 9.

2020 in Rizin Fighting Federation
Information
First dateFebruary 22, 2020
Last dateDecember 31, 2020
Events
Total events6
Fights
Total fights67
Title fights4
Chronology
2019 in Rizin Fighting Federation2020 in Rizin Fighting Federation2021 in Rizin Fighting Federation

Rizin events are broadcast through a television agreement with Fuji Television. In North America and Europe, Rizin events were available via PPV on FITE TV.[1] Beginning with Rizin 26, events have been streaming on LIVENow in North America and Europe.[2][3]

List of events

#EventDateVenueLocationAttendance
1Rizin 21 – HamamatsuFebruary 22, 2020Hamamatsu Arena Hamamatsu, Japan6,832
2Rizin 22 – Starting OverAugust 9, 2020Pia Arena MM Yokohama, Japan2,805
3Rizin 23 – Calling OverAugust 10, 2020Pia Arena MM Yokohama, Japan4,410
4Rizin 24 – SaitamaSeptember 27, 2020Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan5,000
5Rizin 25 – OsakaNovember 21, 2020Osaka-jō Hall Osaka, Japan5,487
6Rizin 26 – SaitamaDecember 31, 2020Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan9,978

Rizin 21 – Hamamatsu

Rizin 21 – Hamamatsu
Information
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateFebruary 22, 2020
VenueHamamatsu Arena
City Hamamatsu, Japan
Attendance6,832
Event chronology
Rizin 20Rizin 21 – Hamamatsu

Rizin 21 – Hamamatsu was a Combat sport event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on February 22, 2020 at the Hamamatsu Arena in Hamamatsu, Japan.

Results

Rizin 21
Weight ClassMethodRoundT.TimeNotes
Catchweight 68 kg Mikuru Asakuradef. Daniel SalasTKO (Head Kick and Punches)27:34
Bantamweight 61 kg Victor Henrydef. Masanori KaneharaTKO (Punches)25:45
Heavyweight 120 kg Roque Martinezdef. Hideki SekineTKO (Soccer Kicks)14:04
Catchweight 79 kg Marcos de Souzadef. Falco NetoTKO (Punches)11:27
Intermission
Bantamweight 61 kg Yuto Hokamuradef. Kenji KatoSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)14:21
Exhibition Roberto de Souzadef. Yuki NakaiSubmission (Triangle Choke)18:05Jiu Jitsu Elimination Match
Hiroshi ShinagawaSubmission (Triangle Choke)
Edison KagoharaSubmission (Choke)
Koji ShigemizuSubmission (Armbar)
Yuna KimuraSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Bantamweight 61 kg Naoki Inouedef. Trent GirdhamDecision (Unanimous)315:00
Featherweight 66 kg Vugar Karamovdef. Kyle AguonDecision (Unanimous)315:00
Heavyweight 120 kg Kousuke Jitukatadef. Ryo SakaiKO (Punches)11:28Kickboxing
Flyweight 57 kg Kenichi Takeuchidef. NaoyaDecision (Unanimous)39:00Kickboxing
Opening Fight
Catchweight 60 kg Henrry Cejasdef. SeidoDecision (Unanimous)39:00Kickboxing
Lightweight 70 kg Yuyadef. KoukiKO (Punch)12:30Kickboxing
Catchweight 59 kg Masaji Tozuka- Masahiro OzawaDraw (Majority)39:00Kickboxing

Rizin 22 – Starting Over

Rizin 22 – Starting Over
Information
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateAugust 9, 2020
VenuePia Arena MM
City Yokohama, Japan
Attendance2,805

Rizin 22 – Starting Over was a Combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on August 9, 2020 at the Pia Arena MM in Yokohama, Japan.

Background

The event was initially planned to be held on April 19, 2020 at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan However, the event was cancelled on April 2, 2020, due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.[4]

Results

Rizin 22
Weight ClassMethodRoundT.TimeNotes
Lightweight 71 kg Roberto de Souzadef. Yusuke YachiTKO (Punches)11:52
W.Strawweight 52 kg Ayaka Hamasakidef. Tomo MaesawaSubmission (Kimura)26:26
W.Super Atomweight 49 kg Kanna Asakuradef. Mizuki FuruseTKO (Punches)11:35
Bantamweight 61 kg Naoki Inouedef. Shooto WatanabeSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)11:40
Catchweight 56 kg Rui Ebatadef. Seiki UeyamaDecision (Unanimous)39:00Kickboxing
Catchweight 50.8 kg Nadaka Yoshinaridef. YuushinTKO (Referee Stoppage)28:08Kickboxing
Featherweight 66 kg Tetsuya Sekidef. Kouya KandaTKO (Punches)28:47
Featherweight 66 kg Kyohei Hagiwaradef. Rikuto ShirakawaTKO (Punches)314:40
Bantamweight 61 kg Kenji Katodef. Erson YamamotoKO (Punch)13:32

Rizin 23 – Calling Over

Rizin 23 – Calling Over
Information
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateAugust 10, 2020
VenuePia Arena MM
City Yokohama, Japan
Attendance4,410

Rizin 23 – Calling Over was a Combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on August 10, 2020 at the Pia Arena MM in Yokohama, Japan.

Background

A Rizin Bantamweight Championship bout for the vacant title between former title challenger Kai Asakura and Hiromasa Ougikubo served as the event headliner.[5] Former Rizin Bantamweight champion Manel Kape announced on March 30, 2020 that he would be relinquishing the bantamweight title and announce he has signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC.[6]

Results

Rizin 23
Weight ClassMethodRoundT.TimeNotes
Bantamweight 61 kg Kai Asakuradef. Hiromasa OugikuboTKO (Soccer Kicks)14:31For the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship
Bantamweight 61 kg Yuki Motoyadef. Mamoru UoiSubmission (Guillotine Choke)312:19
Featherweight 66 kg Yutaka Saitodef. Kazumasa MajimaTKO (Knees and Elbow)25:24
Bantamweight 61 kg Kento Haraguchidef. Taiga KawabeTKO (Punches)12:50Kickboxing
Featherweight 66 kg Jin Aoidef. Kotetsu BokuDecision (Unanimous)315:00
Catchweight 59 kg Makoto Shinryudef. Seiichiro ItoSubmission (Guillotine Choke)29:30
Catchweight 73 kg Kaito Onodef. Daryl LokokuDecision (Unanimous)39:00Kickboxing
Flyweight 58 kg Tatsuki Saomotodef. Yusaku NakamuraKO (Punches)14:06
Catchweight 73 kg Shintaro Matsukuradef. Koji MoriKO (Punches)11:28Kickboxing

Rizin 24 – Saitama

Rizin 24 - Saitama
Information
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateSeptember 27, 2020
VenueSaitama Super Arena
City Saitama, Japan
Attendance5,000

Rizin 24 – Saitama was a Combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on September 27, 2020 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Background

The first two fights announced for Rizin 24 was a bantamweight bout between Kai Asakura and Shoji Maruyama, as well as a women's strawweight bout between Rena Kubota and Emi Tomimatsu. A fight between two MMA veterans was announced as well, as Takasuke Kume took on Satoru Kitaoka.[7] The main event was a kickboxing fight between Tenshin Nasukawa and Koji.[8]

Results

Rizin 24
Weight ClassMethodRoundT.TimeNotes
Catchweight 58.5 kg Tenshin Nasukawadef. KojiDecision (Unanimous)39:00Kickboxing
Bantamweight 61 kg Kai Asakuradef. Shoji MaruyamaTKO (Punches and Soccer Kick)12:37Non-title bout.
Lightweight 71 kg Koji Takedadef. Yuki KawanaDecision (Split)315:00
Lightweight 71 kg Takasuke Kumedef. Satoru KitaokaDecision (Split)315:00
Catchweight 60 kg Taishi Hiratsukadef. Yuuki KitagawaKO (Punch)23:27Kickboxing
Bantamweight 61 kg Kenta Takizawadef. Yuto HokamuraDecision (Split)315:00
W. Strawweight 52 kg Rena Kubotadef. Emi TomimatsuDecision (Unanimous)315:00
Featherweight 66 kg Takahiro Ashidadef. Kyohei HagiwaraSubmission (Triangle Choke)29:25
Heavyweight 120 kg Sudario TsuyoshiDef. Dylan JamesTKO (Doctor Stoppage)15:00
Catchweight 55 kg Mutsuki Ebatadef. RastaDecision (Unanimous)39:00Kickboxing
Lightweight 71 kg Juri Oharadef. Yusuke YachiDecision (Split)315:00

Rizin 25 – Osaka

Rizin 25 – Osaka
Information
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateNovember 21, 2020
VenueOsaka-jō Hall
City Osaka, Japan
Attendance5,487

Rizin 25 – Osaka was a Combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on November 21, 2020 at the Osaka-jō Hall in Osaka, Japan.

Background

During the press conference prior to Rizin 25,[9] Rizin CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara confirmed that nine fights were finalized for the card.

Rizin standout Mikuru Asakura will fight the former Shooto Lightweight champion Yutaka Saito for the inaugural featherweight title.[10] Former Bantamweight title challenger Hiromasa Ougikubo is scheduled to fight Kenta Takizawa.[11] Former strawweight King of Pancrase Daichi Kitakata is scheduled to face the ZST Flyweight champion Tatsuki Saomoto.[12]

Two additional MMA bouts were announced: Yojiro Uchimura vs. Kyohei Hagiwara in the featherweight division and Ryuichiro Sumimura vs. Gota Yamashita in the welterweight division. The remaining four fights are kickboxing bouts: Taiga Kawabe will fight Yuma Yamahata, Yuma Yamaguchi is scheduled to fight Shohei Asahara, Hidenori Ebata will take on Isami Sano and Jin Mandokoro is set to go up against Syuto Sato.[13] A fight between Kotetsu Boku and Rikuto Shirakawa was later added to the card.[14]

Results

Rizin 25
Weight ClassMethodRoundT.TimeNotes
Featherweight 66 kg Yutaka Saitodef. Mikuru AsakuraDecision (Unanimous)315:00For the inaugural Rizin Featherweight Championship
Bantamweight 61 kg Hiromasa Ougikubodef. Kenta TakizawaDecision (Unanimous)315:00
Welterweight 77 kg Ryuichiro Sumimuradef. Gota YamashitaDecision (Split)315:00
Flyweight 57 kg Tatsuki Saomotodef. Daichi KitakataDecision (Unanimous)315:00
Exhibition Roberto de Souza
Kleber Koike Erbst
Hari Sakamoto
Misaki Akita
Grappling Demonstration
Intermission
Featherweight 66 kg Kyohei Hagiwaradef. Yojiro UchimuraKO (Punches and Foot Stomp)10:22
Catchweight 60.5 kg Taiga Kawabedef. Yuma YamahataDecision (Unanimous)39:00Kickboxing
Catchweight 83 kg Isami Sanodef. Hidenori EbataDecision (Unanimous)39:00Kickboxing
Featherweight 66 kg Rikuto Shirakawadef. Kotetsu BokuTKO (Punches and Soccer Kick)314:19
Catchweight 53 kg Jin Mandokorodef. Syuto SatoDecision (Unanimous)39:00Kickboxing
Catchweight 63 kg Shohei Asaharadef. Yuma YamaguchiTKO (Punches)38:59Kickboxing

Rizin 26 – Saitama

Rizin 26 – Saitama
Information
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateDecember 31, 2020
VenueSaitama Super Arena
City Saitama, Japan
Attendance9,978
Event chronology
Rizin 26 – SaitamaRizin 27

Rizin 26 – Saitama was a combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on December 31, 2020 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Background

The card was headlined by a rematch for the Rizin bantamweight championship, in his first title defense the reigning bantamweight champion Kai Asakura has met the former champion Kyoji Horiguchi. The two met previously in a non-title bout, with Asakura winning by knockout.[15]

Olympic silver medalist Shinobu Ota, has signed with Rizin Fighting Championship, he made his MMA debut against the veteran Hideo Tokoro.[16]

Former RIZIN Super Atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki was set to fight Miyuu Yamamoto for the vacant Super Atomweight title.[17]

Tenshin Nasukawa was scheduled to fight Kumandoi Phetjaroenvit, while Takanori Gomi was scheduled to fight Koji under special standup rules.[18] Gomi's weight limit was 75 kg and Koji's 65 kg. The rules of the bout forbid grappling and kicking, while both fighters wore 12oz gloves.[19]

Sakura Mori missed weight for her atomweight bout with Eru Takebayashi by 1.7 kg.[20]

Results

Rizin 26
Weight ClassMethodRoundT.TimeNotes
Bantamweight 61 kg Kyoji Horiguchidef. Kai Asakura (c)TKO (Punches)12:48For the Rizin Bantamweight Championship
Catchweight 57 kg Tenshin Nasukawadef. Kumandoi PetcharoenvitDecision (Unanimous)39:00Kickboxing
Catchweight 68 kg Mikuru Asakuradef. Satoshi YamasuKO (Head Kick and Punches)14:20
Catchweight 75 kg Takanori Gomidef. Koji TanakaDecision (Majority)39:00Special Standing Bout Rules
W.Super Atomweight 49 kg Ayaka Hamasakidef. Miyuu YamamotoSubmission (Head Scissors Choke)11:42For the Vacant Rizin Super Atomweight Championship
Intermission
Bantamweight 61 kg Naoki Inouedef. Yuki MotoyaSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)13:00
Catchweight 67 kg Kleber Koike Erbstdef. Kyle AguonTechnical Submission (Brabo Choke)14:21
Catchweight 68 kg Kyohei Hagiwaradef. Ren HiramotoTKO (Corner Stoppage)21:29
Bantamweight 61 kg Hideo Tokorodef. Shinobu OtaSubmission (Armbar)22:23
Intermission
Catchweight 50 kg Nadaka Yoshinaridef. Phetmalai PhetjaroenvitKO (Elbow)12:19Kickboxing
Bantamweight 61 kg Ulka Sasakidef. Kenta TakizawaDecision (Unanimous)35:00
W.Super Atomweight 49 kg Kanna Asakuradef. Ai ShimizuDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Openweight Atsushi Saitodef. Hiroya KawabeSubmission (Armbar)26:00Special Rules
originally a draw was overturned by Rizin officials
Catchweight 63 kg Kazuma Kuramotodef. Taiyo NakaharaKO (Soccer Kicks)12:12
Heavyweight 120 kg Tsuyoshi Sudariodef. Ikuhisa MinowaTKO (Leg Injury)13:17
W.Catchweight 52.7 kg Sakura Mori- Eru TakebayashiSubmission (Armbar)11:37No Contest due to Mori missing weight by 1.7 kg.

See also

References