2023 in Rizin Fighting Federation

Last updated
2023 in Rizin Fighting Federation
Information
First dateApril 1, 2023
Last dateDecember 31, 2023
Events
Total events9
Fights
Total fights117
Title fights7
Chronology
2022 in Rizin Fighting Federation 2023 in Rizin Fighting Federation 2024 in Rizin Fighting Federation

The year 2023 was the ninth year in the history of the Rizin Fighting Federation, a mixed martial arts promotion based in Japan.

Contents

List of events

Rizin Fighting Federation
#EventDateVenueLocationAttendance
1 Rizin 41 – Osaka April 1, 2023 Maruzen Intec Arena Flag of Japan.svg Osaka, Japan 9,987 [1]
2 Rizin Landmark 5 April 29, 2023 Yoyogi National Gymnasium Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo, Japan 13,837 [2]
3 Rizin 42 May 6, 2023 Ariake Arena Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo, Japan 14,930 [3]
4 Rizin 43 – Sapporo June 24, 2023 Makomanai Ice Arena Flag of Japan.svg Sapporo, Japan 8,510
5 Super Rizin 2: Rizin X Bellator July 30, 2023 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 24,264 [4]
6 Rizin 44 September 24, 2023 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 11,681
7 Rizin Landmark 6 October 1, 2023 Dolphins Arena Flag of Japan.svg Nagoya, Japan 7,017
8 Rizin Landmark 7 November 4, 2023 National Gymnastics Arena Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Baku, Azerbaijan
9 Rizin 45 December 31, 2023 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 23,013

Title fights

Title fights in 2023
Weight classMethodRoundTimeEventNotes
Featherweight Kleber Koike Erbst vs. Chihiro Suzuki No Contest (missed weight)12:59 Rizin 43 [lower-alpha 1]
Super Atomweight Seika Izawa (c)def.Claire LopezSubmission (ninja choke)11:04 Super Rizin 2 [lower-alpha 2]
Bantamweight Juan Archuleta def. Hiromasa Ougikubo Decision (unanimous)35:00 Super Rizin 2 [lower-alpha 3]
FeatherweightVugar Karamovdef. Mikuru Asakura Submission (rear-naked choke)12:41 Super Rizin 2 [lower-alpha 4]
Featherweight Chihiro Suzuki def.Vugar Karamov (c)KO (upkick and punches)11:28 Rizin Landmark 7 [lower-alpha 5]
Bantamweight Kai Asakura def. Juan Archuleta TKO (knee to the body and punches)23:20 Rizin 45 [lower-alpha 6]
Flyweight Kyoji Horiguchi def. Makoto Takahashi Submission (rear-naked choke)23:44 Rizin 45 [lower-alpha 7]
  1. For the vacant Rizin Featherweight Championship (as Koike missed weight and was stripped of the title, only Suzuki was eligible). Originally a Submission (armbar) win for Koike; overturned due to Koike missing weight.
  2. For the Rizin Super Atomweight Championship.
  3. For the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship.
  4. For the vacant Rizin Featherweight Championship.
  5. For the Rizin Featherweight Championship.
  6. For the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship (as Archuleta missed weight and was stripped the title, only Asakura was eligible).
  7. For the inaugural Rizin Flyweight Championship.

Rizin 41 – Osaka

Rizin 41 – Osaka
Information
Promotion Rizin Fighting Federation
DateApril 1, 2023
Venue Maruzen Intec Arena
City Flag of Japan.svg Osaka, Japan
Attendance9,987

Rizin 41 – Osaka was a Combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on April 1, 2023, at the Maruzen Intec Arena in Osaka, Japan.

Background

A bantamweight kickboxing bout between Ryusei Ashizawa and the one-time K-1 super featherweight title challenger Kouzi was scheduled as the event headliner. [5]

Results

Rizin 41
Weight ClassMethodRoundT.TimeNotes
Bantamweight 61 kg Flag of Japan.svg Ryusei Ashizawa def. Flag of Japan.svg Kouzi Decision (Split)33:00Kickboxing rules
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Vugar Karamovdef. Flag of Japan.svg Yoshinori HorieSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)23:21
Welterweight 77 kg Flag of Japan.svg Keita Nakamura def. Flag of Japan.svg Kiichi Kunimoto KO (Punches and Soccer Kick)20:49
Flyweight 57 kg Flag of Japan.svg Makoto Takahashi def. Flag of Japan.svg Daichi Kitakata Technical Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)21:17
Intermission
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Japan.svg Kyohei Hagiwaradef. Flag of Guam.svg Kyle AguonDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Bantamweight 61 kg Flag of Japan.svg Koichi Ishizukadef. Flag of Japan.svg Yuto HokamuraDecision (Split)35:00
Lightweight 71 kg Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Kyung-pyodef. Flag of Japan.svg Sho Patrick UsamiSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)13:33
Flyweight 57 kg Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Mehman Mamedovdef. Flag of Japan.svg Yusaku NakamuraKO (Punches)10:23
Bantamweight 61 kg Flag of Japan.svg Shun Onishidef. Flag of Japan.svg MotokiKO (Punch)11:37Kickboxing rules
Catchweight 66,5 kg Flag of Japan.svg Sota Kimuradef. Flag of Japan.svg Shingeki no YuukiTKO (Body Punch)31:32Kickboxing rules
Opening Bouts
Catchweight 57,5 kg Flag of Japan.svg Asatarodef. Flag of Japan.svg Shin SakuraiDecision (Unanimous)33:00Kickboxing rules
Catchweight 57,5 kg Flag of Japan.svg Daichi Akahiradef. Flag of Japan.svg Yuto MiwaKO (Right straight)12:47Kickboxing rules

[6]

Rizin Landmark 5

Rizin Landmark 5
Information
Promotion Rizin Fighting Federation
DateApril 29, 2023
Venue Yoyogi National Gymnasium
City Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo, Japan
Attendance13,837

Rizin Landmark 5 was a Combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on April 29, 2023, at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.

Background

A featherweight bout between the former Rizin featherweight champion Juntaro Ushiku and Mikuru Asakura served as the event headliner, [7] while a featherweight bout between another former Rizin featherweight champion Yutaka Saito and Ren Hiramoto was booked as the co-main event. [8]

Results

Rizin Landmark 5
Weight ClassMethodRoundT.TimeNotes
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Japan.svg Mikuru Asakura def. Flag of Japan.svg Juntaro UshikuDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Japan.svg Yutaka Saitodef. Flag of Japan.svg Ren Hiramoto Decision (Split)35:00
Bantamweight 61 kg Flag of Japan.svg Shinobu Ota def. Flag of Japan.svg Kazuma KuramotoKO (Punch)10:27
Intermission
Lightweight 71 kg Flag of Brazil.svg Luiz Gustavodef. Flag of Japan.svg Koji TakedaDecision (Split)35:00
W.Super Atomweight 49 kg Flag of Japan.svg Kanna Asakura def. Flag of Japan.svg Mei Yamaguchi Decision (Unanimous)35:00
W.Catchweight 51 kg Flag of France.svg Claire Lopezdef. Flag of Japan.svg Rena Kubota Submission (Kneebar)34:21
Heavyweight 120 kg Flag of Japan.svg Tsuyoshi Sudario def. Flag of Guam.svg Roque Martinez Decision (Unanimous)35:00
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Japan.svg Masanori Kanehara def. Flag of Japan.svg Sora YamamotoDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Lightweight 71 kg Flag of Russia.svg Ali Abdulkhalikovdef. Flag of Japan.svg Tatsuya SaikaKO (Punch)13:30

Rizin 42

Rizin 42
Information
Promotion Rizin Fighting Federation
DateMay 6, 2023
Venue Ariake Arena
City Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo, Japan
Attendance14,930

Rizin 42 was a Combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on May 6, 2023, at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Background

A bantamweight bout between Yuki Motoya and the former Rizin Bantamweight champion Kai Asakura was booked as the event headliner. [9]

Results

Rizin 42
Weight ClassMethodRoundT.TimeNotes
Bantamweight 61 kg Flag of Japan.svg Kai Asakura def. Flag of Japan.svg Yuki MotoyaKO (Knee to the Body)32:25
Bantamweight 61 kg Flag of the United States.svg Juan Archuleta def. Flag of Japan.svg Naoki Inoue Decision (Unanimous)35:00
Lightweight 71 kg Flag of Brazil.svg Roberto Satoshi Souza (c)def. Flag of the United States.svg Spike Carlyle Decision (Unanimous)35:00Non-title bout.
Catchweight 70 kg Flag of Thailand.svg Buakaw Banchamek draw. Flag of Japan.svg Rukiya Anpo Decision (Unanimous)33:00Kickboxing rules
Intermission
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Japan.svg YA-MAN def. Flag of Japan.svg Kota MiuraKO (Knee and Punches)13:13Special rules
Flyweight 57 kg Flag of the United States.svg John Dodson def. Flag of Japan.svg Tatsuki SaomotoDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Japan.svg Kazumasa Majimadef. Flag of Japan.svg Takahiro AshidaTechnical Submission (Shoulder Choke)14:43
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Japan.svg Ulka Sasaki def. Flag of South Africa.svg Boyd AllenDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Lightweight 71 kg Flag of Russia.svg Viktor Kolesnikdef. Flag of Japan.svg Atsushi KishimotoTKO (Leg Kick)22:57
Flyweight 57 kg Flag of Japan.svg Erson Yamamotodef. Flag of Japan.svg Yuki ItoDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Japan.svg Takeji Yokoyamadef. Flag of Japan.svg Takuya YamamotoSubmission (Armbar)11:24
Flyweight 57 kg Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Ramazonbek Temirov def. Flag of Japan.svg Yuta HamamotoTKO (Punches)14:06
Catchweight 69 kg Flag of Japan.svg Sota Kimuradef. Flag of Japan.svg Yasuhiro Kido Decision (Unanimous)33:00Kickboxing rules

Rizin 43 – Sapporo

Rizin 43 – Sapporo
Information
Promotion Rizin Fighting Federation
DateJune 24, 2023
Venue Makomanai Ice Arena
City Flag of Japan.svg Sapporo, Japan
Attendance8,510

Rizin 43 – Sapporo was a Combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on June 24, 2023, at the Makomanai Ice Arena in Sapporo, Japan.

Background

A Rizin Featherweight Championship bout between Kleber Koike Erbst and Chihiro Suzuki headlined the event. [10] At the weigh-ins, Koike weighed in at 145.88 pounds, 0.88 pounds over the title limit. As a result, upon commencement of the fight, Koike was stripped of the title and only Suzuki is eligible to win it. [11]

Results

Main card
Weight classMethodRoundTimeNotes
Featherweight Kleber Koike Erbst vs. Chihiro Suzuki No Contest (missed weight)12:59 [lower-alpha 1]
LightweightYusuke Yachidef.Zach ZaneSubmission (rear-naked choke)12:50
HeavyweightMikio Uedadef.Hideki SekineTKO (punches and head kick)10:22
Featherweight Hiroaki Suzuki def.Taisei NishitaniTKO (punches)10:56
Catchweight (62.5 kg)Hiroki Suzukidef. Genji Umeno KO (flying knee)22:43 [lower-alpha 2]
Intermission
Catchweight (73 kg) Minoru Kimura def.Daryl LokokuKO (punch)11:08 [lower-alpha 3]
Featherweight Yuta Kubo def.Karate KinoshitaDecision (split)35:00
Women's Strawweight Saori Oshima def.Haruka HasegawaSubmission (scarf hold armlock)11:16
FeatherweightSuguru Niidef.Tateo IidaKO (punches)12:32
FeatherweightTetsuya Sekidef.Raiki EndoDecision (unanimous)35:00
BantamweightJoji Gotodef.Trent GirdhamSubmission (twister)22:34
Women's BantamweightAoi Kuriyamadef.Marina KumagaiKO (punch)12:48
Catchweight (57.5 kg)Kensei Yamakawadef. Ryoga Hirano TKO (three knockdowns)21:22 [lower-alpha 4]
Opening bouts
LightweightToshiki Watanabedef.Kento AzumiSubmission (kneebar)11:07 [lower-alpha 5]
Catchweight (55 kg)Suguru Hayasakadef.Daiki MaruyamaTechnical Submission (arm-triangle choke)13:33 [lower-alpha 6]
Catchweight (61.5 kg)Aito Tanimuradef.Ryuya KoideKO (punch)10:55 [lower-alpha 7]
Catchweight (58 kg)Shoki Hoshikubovs.Kazuyuki FurukawaNo Contest (missed weight)33:00 [lower-alpha 8]
  1. For the vacant Rizin Featherweight Championship (as Koike missed weight and was stripped of the title, only Suzuki was eligible). Originally a Submission (armbar) win for Koike; overturned due to Koike missing weight.
  2. Kickboxing rules
  3. Kickboxing rules
  4. Kickboxing rules
  5. Special rules
  6. Special rules
  7. Kickboxing rules
  8. Kickboxing rules. Originally a Decision (unanimous) win for Hoshikubo; overturned due to missed weight.

Super Rizin 2: Rizin X Bellator

Super Rizin.2: Rizin X Bellator
Information
Promotion Rizin Fighting Federation
Bellator MMA
DateJuly 30, 2023
Venue Saitama Super Arena
City Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan
Attendance24,264 [4]

Super Rizin 2: Rizin X Bellator was a Combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation and Bellator MMA on July 30, 2023 at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan. [12] [13] [14] [15]

As with the previous Super Rizin & Rizin 38 and Rizin 40 & Rizin vs Bellator events in 2022, Super Rizin 2 was split between two cards. Matches on the Bellator card were fought inside a cage, while Super Rizin 2 took place in the traditional ring. [12] [14]

Outside of Japan, the Bellator card aired live on Showtime in the United States, while Super Rizin 2 was distributed via PPV on FITE. [16] [17]

Background

The event was originally supposed to be headlined by a Rizin Bantamweight Championship bout between former champion Kai Asakura and former Bellator MMA Bantamweight champion Juan Archuleta. [18] On July 18, 2023 it was announced that Asakura withdrew from the event and would be replaced by Hiromasa Ougikubo. [19]

Results

Part 2: Super Rizin 2
Weight ClassMethodRoundT.TimeNotes
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Vugar Karamovdef. Flag of Japan.svg Mikuru Asakura Submission (rear-naked choke)12:41For the vacant Rizin Featherweight Championship.
Bantamweight 61 kg Flag of the United States.svg Juan Archuleta def. Flag of Japan.svg Hiromasa Ougikubo Decision (unanimous)35:00For the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship.
W.Super Atomweight 49 kg Flag of Japan.svg Seika Izawa (c)def. Flag of France.svg Claire LopezSubmission (ninja choke)11:04For the Rizin Women's Super Atomweight Championship.
Intermission
Catchweight 70 kg Flag of Japan.svg Chihiro Suzuki def. Flag of Brazil.svg Patrício Pitbull KO (punch)12:32
Lightweight 71 kg Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Tofiq Musayev def. Flag of Japan.svg Akira OkadaKO (punches)21:11
Bantamweight 61 kg Flag of Japan.svg Shinobu Ota def. Flag of Japan.svg Kenta TakizawaTKO (punches)14:54
Middleweight 84 kg Flag of Brazil.svg Igor Tanabedef. Flag of Japan.svg Daichi Abe Submission (heel hook)14:34
Catchweight 58 kg Flag of Japan.svg Yuki Itodef. Flag of Japan.svg Hiroya KondoDecision (split)35:00
Part 1: Bellator MMA x Rizin 2
Lightweight Flag of Brazil.svg Patricky Pitbull def. Flag of Brazil.svg Roberto Satoshi Souza TKO (leg kick)30:49 Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix Quarter-Final bout.
Flyweight Flag of Japan.svg Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Flag of Japan.svg Makoto TakahashiNo Contest (accidental eye poke)10:25For the inaugural Bellator Flyweight World Championship.
Women's Flyweight Flag of Japan.svg Kana Watanabe def. Flag of the United States.svg Veta ArteagaDecision (unanimous)35:00
Bantamweight Flag of Russia.svg Magomed Magomedov def. Flag of the United States.svg Danny Sabatello Submission (guillotine choke)13:55
Welterweight Flag of Russia.svg Andrey Koreshkov def. Flag of the United States.svg Lorenz Larkin Decision (split)35:00

Rizin 44

Rizin 44
Information
Promotion Rizin Fighting Federation
DateSeptember 24, 2023
Venue Saitama Super Arena
City Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan
Attendance11,681

Rizin 44 was a combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on September 24, 2023 at the Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Background

A featherweight bout between former champion Kleber Koike Erbst (also former KSW Featherweight champion) and former Sengoku Featherweight champion Masanori Kanehara was scheduled to headline the event. [20]

A heavyweight bout between former sumo wrestler Tsuyoshi Sudario and UFC veteran Todd Duffee was expected to take place at the event. However, Duffee withdrew from the fight due to a problem with his passport. [21]

Results

Rizin 44
Weight ClassMethodRoundT.TimeNotes
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Japan.svg Masanori Kanehara def. Flag of Brazil.svg Kleber Koike Erbst Decision (Unanimous)35:00
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Japan.svg Juntaro Ushikudef. Flag of Japan.svg Kyohei HagiwaraDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Lightweight 71 kg Flag of Japan.svg Yoshinori Horiedef. Flag of the United States.svg Spike Carlyle Decision (Unanimous)35:00
Intermission
Catchweight 70 kg Flag of Japan.svg Rukiya Anpo def. Flag of Japan.svg Sho Patrick UsamiDecision (Unanimous) (29–27, 29–26, 29–26)33:00Kickboxing rules.
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Japan.svg Yoshiki Nakaharadef. Flag of Japan.svg Rikuto ShirakawaDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Catchweight 66,2 kg Flag of Japan.svg Kazumasa Majimadef. Flag of Japan.svg Takeji YokoyamaDecision (Unanimous)35:00Originally 66kg, Majima missed weight.
Flyweight 57 kg Flag of Japan.svg Ryuya Fukudadef. Flag of Japan.svg Erson YamamotoTKO (Doctor Stoppage)31:37
Bantamweight 61 kg Flag of Japan.svg Taichi Nakajimadef. Flag of Japan.svg Ryo OkadaDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Heavyweight 120 kg Flag of Japan.svg Shoma Shibisaidef. Flag of Romania.svg Janos CsukasSubmission (Heel Hook)12:27
Flyweight 57 kg Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Ramazonbek Temirov def. Flag of Japan.svg Takaki SoyaKO (Punches)13:15

Rizin Landmark 6

Rizin Landmark 6
Information
Promotion Rizin Fighting Federation
DateOctober 1, 2023
Venue Dolphins Arena
City Flag of Japan.svg Nagoya, Japan
Attendance7,017

Rizin Landmark 6 was a Combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on October 1, 2023 at the Dolphins Arena in Nagoya, Japan.

Background

A bantamweight bout between Dream Japanese Bantamweight Grand Prix 2011 winner Hideo Tokoro and Alan "Hiro" Yamaniha was scheduled to headline the event. [22]

Results

Rizin Landmark 6
Weight ClassMethodRoundT.TimeNotes
Bantamweight 61 kg Flag of Brazil.svg Alan Yamanihadef. Flag of Japan.svg Hideo Tokoro Decision (Unanimous)35:00
Catchweight 63 kg Flag of Japan.svg Shoko Satodef. Flag of Japan.svg Shinobu Ota Decision (Split)35:00
Heavyweight 120 kg Flag of Japan.svg Tsuyoshi Sudario def. Flag of South Korea.svg Lim Dong-hwanTKO (Punches)32:10
Flyweight 57 kg Flag of Japan.svg Yuki Itodef. Flag of Thailand.svg Topnoi KiwramDecision (Split)35:00
Catchweight 61,5 kg Flag of Japan.svg Genji Umeno def. Flag of Japan.svg Yuto SaitoDecision (Majority)33:00Kickboxing rules.
Intermission
Catchweight 58 kg Flag of Japan.svg Yusaku Nakamuradef. Flag of Japan.svg Hiroya KondoDecision (Split)35:00
Middleweight 84 kg Flag of Brazil.svg Igor Tanabedef. Flag of Japan.svg Animal☆KojiSubmission (Triangle Choke)13:40
Women's Strawweight 52,5 kg Flag of Japan.svg Machi Fukudadef. Flag of Japan.svg Ayaka Watanabe Decision (Split)35:00
Heavyweight 120 kg Flag of Japan.svg Hidetaka Aratodef. Flag of Japan.svg Takakenshin TKO (Punches)24:49
Flyweight 57 kg Flag of Brazil.svg Rogério Bontorin def. Flag of Japan.svg Yutaro MuramotoDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Russia.svg Viktor Kolesnikdef. Flag of Japan.svg Ryo TakagiDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Lightweight 71 kg Flag of Japan.svg Yusaku Inouedef. Flag of Japan.svg Kohei TokeshiTKO (Flying Knee and Punches)11:11
Bantamweight 61 kg Flag of Japan.svg Joji Gotodef. Flag of Japan.svg Junya HibinoSubmission (Twister)22:00
Opening Bouts
Catchweight 68 kg Flag of Japan.svg Shogo Otadef. Flag of Japan.svg Ginji HaraSubmission (armbar)11:52
Flyweight 57 kg Flag of Japan.svg Genki Takenodef. Flag of Japan.svg Ryota NaitoDecision (Unanimous)33:00Kickboxing rules.
Bantamweight 61 kg Flag of Japan.svg Ryuki Kirishimadef. Flag of Japan.svg Masanari YamadaDecision (Unanimous)25:00

Rizin Landmark 7

Rizin Landmark 7
Information
Promotion Rizin Fighting Federation
DateNovember 4, 2023
Venue National Gymnastics Arena
City Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Baku, Azerbaijan

Rizin Landmark 7 was a Combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on November 4, 2023 at the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Background

Rizin Landmark 7 was the promotion's first international event, and the first major MMA event to take place in Azerbaijan. [23]

A Rizin Featherweight Championship bout between reigning champion Vugar Karamov and challenger Chihiro Suzuki headlined the event. [24] [25]

A lightweight bout between Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix 2019 winner Tofiq Musayev and former Deep Lightweight champion Koji Takeda served as the co-main event. [26]

Another lightweight bout between former AMC Fight Nights Lightweight champion Nariman Abbasov and Ali Abdulkhalikov took place at the event. [27]

Results

Rizin Landmark 7
Weight ClassMethodRoundT.TimeNotes
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Japan.svg Chihiro Suzuki def. Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Vugar Karamov (c)TKO (Upkick and Punches)11:28For the Rizin Featherweight Championship.
Lightweight 71 kg Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Tofiq Musayev def. Flag of Japan.svg Koji TakedaKO (Punches)32:03
Lightweight 71 kg Flag of Russia.svg Ali Abdulkhalikovdef. Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Nariman AbbasovDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Catchweight 60 kg Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Mehman Mamedovdef. Flag of Turkey.svg Ferit GöktepeDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Lightweight 71 kg Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Kyung-pyodef. Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Tural RagimovTKO (Punches)10:21
Intermission
Strawweight 51 kg Flag of Ukraine.svg Anastasiya Svetkivskadef. Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg Farida AbduevaSubmission (Triangle Armbar)24:20
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Uzbekistan.svg Ilkhom Nazimovdef. Flag of Cameroon.svg Jaures DeaDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Lightweight 71 kg Flag of Ukraine.svg Vladislav Rudnevdef. Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Iliyar AskhanovDecision (Unanimous)35:00
Heavyweight 120 kg Flag of Georgia.svg Shota Betlemidzedef. Flag of Portugal.svg Quentin DomingosTKO (Retirement)15:00
Light Heavyweight 93 kg Flag of Latvia.svg Hasan Mezhievdef. Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Konstantin MerkulovSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)12:32

Rizin 45

Rizin 45
Information
Promotion Rizin Fighting Federation
DateDecember 31, 2023
Venue Saitama Super Arena
City Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan
Attendance23,013

Rizin 45 was a combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on December 31, 2023, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. [28] [29] [30]

Background

A rematch for the inaugural Rizin Flyweight Championship between former Rizin and Bellator Bantamweight Champion Kyoji Horiguchi and current Deep Flyweight champion (also former Cage Fury FC Flyweight champion) Makoto Takahashi headlined the event. [31] The pairing previously met at Super Rizin 2 in July 2023, where the bout was declared a no contest after Horiguchi accidentally poked Takahashi in the eye. [32]

A Rizin Bantamweight Championship bout between then champion Juan Archuleta and former champion Kai Asakura served as the co-main event. [33] At the weigh-ins, Archuleta weighed in at 140.65 pounds, 5.65 pounds over the limit. As a result, Archuleta was stripped of the title and only Asakura will be eligible to win it. [34]

In the featherweight division, a clash between two former champions should took place at the event when Kleber Koike Erbst meets Yutaka Saito. [35]

A flyweight bout between 2021 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix winner Hiromasa Ougikubo and current BKFC Flyweight champion John Dodson took place at the event. [36]

A 155-pound catchweight kickboxing bout between former K-1 Super Lightweight champion Rukiya Anpo and former K-1 Super Welterweight champion Minoru Kimura was expected to take place at the event. [37] However, the fight was cancelled after Kimura tested positive for a banned substance once again. [38] He was replaced by former K-1 Welterweight Champion Yuta Kubo in a MMA special rules bout. [39]

Results

Rizin 45
Weight ClassMethodRoundT.TimeNotes
Flyweight 57 kg Flag of Japan.svg Kyoji Horiguchi def. Flag of Japan.svg Makoto Takahashi Submission (rear-naked choke)23:44For the inaugural Rizin Flyweight Championship.
Bantamweight 61 kg Flag of Japan.svg Kai Asakura def. Flag of the United States.svg Juan Archuleta TKO (knee to the body and punches)23:20For the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship (as Archuleta missed weight and was stripped the title, only Asakura was eligible).
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Brazil.svg Kleber Koike Erbst def. Flag of Japan.svg Yutaka SaitoTechnical Submission (brabo choke)31:22
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Japan.svg Ren Hiramoto def. Flag of Japan.svg YA-MAN Decision (unanimous)35:00
Intermission
W.Super Atomweight 49 kg Flag of Japan.svg Seika Izawa def. Flag of Japan.svg Miyuu Yamamoto Submission (rear-naked choke)20:37Non-Title bout and Yamamoto retirement bout.
Heavyweight 120 kg Flag of Japan.svg Mikio Uedadef. Flag of Japan.svg Tsuyoshi Sudario TKO (knee and punches)20:55
Flyweight 57 kg Flag of Japan.svg Hiromasa Ougikubo def. Flag of the United States.svg John Dodson Decision (unanimous)35:00
Bantamweight 61 kg Flag of the United States.svg Vince Morales def. Flag of Japan.svg Yuki MotoyaDecision (unanimous)35:00
Bantamweight 61 kg Flag of Japan.svg Shinobu Ota def. Flag of Japan.svg Ryusei Ashizawa KO (punches)12:21
Intermission
Catchweight 65 kg Flag of Japan.svg Kouzi def. Flag of Japan.svg Kota MiuraTKO (punches and soccer kicks)20:59RIZIN MMA Special rules.
Welterweight 77 kg Flag of Brazil.svg Igor Tanabedef. Flag of Japan.svg Shinsho Anzai Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)11:32
Flyweight 57 kg Flag of Japan.svg Hiroya Kondodef. Flag of Japan.svg Jo Arai TKO (head kick and punches)22:53
Catchweight 70 kg Flag of Japan.svg Yuta Kubo def. Flag of Japan.svg Rukiya Anpo Submission (rear-naked choke)14:28RIZIN MMA Special rules.
Opening Bouts
Featherweight 66 kg Flag of Japan.svg Suguru Niidef. Flag of Japan.svg Satoshi YamasuKO (punch)21:03
Catchweight 60 kg Flag of Japan.svg Tatsuki Shinotsuka def. Flag of Japan.svg Daichi TomizawaDecision (unanimous)33:00Kickboxing rules.
Catchweight 54 kg Flag of Japan.svg Ryujin Nasukawadef. Flag of South Korea.svg Shin Jong-minTKO (punches)12:16
Bantamweight 61 kg Flag of Japan.svg Joe Hiramotodef. Flag of Japan.svg YushiDecision (unanimous)35:00

See also

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