Rizin Fighting Federation

Last updated
Rizin Fighting Federation
Company typePrivate
Industry Mixed martial arts promotion
Founded2015;9 years ago (2015)
Founder Nobuyuki Sakakibara
Headquarters
Minato-ku, Tokyo
,
Japan
Key people
 Nobuyuki Sakakibara
Nobuhiko Takada
Parent Dream Factory Worldwide
Website jp.rizinff.com/_tags/English

Rizin Fighting Federation (stylised in all caps and also known as Rizin FF) is a Japanese mixed martial arts organization created in 2015 by the former Pride Fighting Championships and Dream Stage Entertainment president Nobuyuki Sakakibara. [1] [2]

Contents

Founded to be the spiritual successor of Pride FC and Dream, Rizin carries much of the philosophy and ambition of its two predecessors: its events are promoted as larger-than-life events with elaborate opening ceremonies and fighter entrances, its matches are fought in a roped ring and it has a ruleset inherited from Pride and Dream. The organization also promotes "Grand Prix", single-elimination tournaments where fighters have to fight multiple opponents in the same night. [3] [4] Rizin is considered Japan's top MMA promotion. [5]

Rizin has also promoted kickboxing matches, with two "Grand Prix" tournaments in 2017 [6] and 2021. [7]

The promotion's name is a combination of "Raijin", the Japanese god of lightning; the word "rising", meaning "to prosper and thrive"; and the letter, 'Z', meaning "ultimate". [8]

History

Background and formation

In 1997, Pride Fighting Championships was founded in Japan, promoted by Dream Stage Entertainment. The organization quickly rose up to become the world's most popular MMA promotion and helped to popularize the sport in Japan and in the world. Pride differentiated itself from the UFC with its focus on spectacle and entertainment, as well a more permissive ruleset. [9] By 2007, a scandal alleging its ties to the yakuza caused a financial decline that lead to the promotion folding. Dream Stage Entertainment was bought by Zuffa—UFC's holding company—which initially promised to keep the event running. However, Zuffa would lay off most of Pride's staff with several Pride fighters moving to the UFC. [9]

After Pride folded, most of DSE's former staff, fighters and executives joined Fighting and Entertainment Group, the promoters of K-1, to organize a successor, which became known as Dream. [10] However, FEG would have its own financial issues and went bankrupt in 2012. As a result, Dream became defunct. [11]

Three years after Dream folded, rumors began circulating that Pride and Dream founder Nobuyuki Sakakibara would return to the industry after an interview with Bellator MMA President Scott Coker was released. [12] On September 19, 2015, during Bellator MMA & Glory: Dynamite 1, it was announced that Sakakibara had signed former Pride Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko to headline a New Year's Eve Show in Tokyo for his new MMA promotion. [13] Sakakibara held a press conference on October 8, 2015, with Nobuhiko Takada and other former Pride FC employees to formally announce the launch of "Rizin Fighting Federation". [14] Initial signees included Kazushi Sakuraba, Shinya Aoki, as well as female competitors Gabi Garcia and Rena Kubota. [15]

A Grand Prix tournament was announced (held at 100 kg or roughly 220 lbs), with champions and competitors from Bellator, KSW, Jungle Fight, [16] BAMMA, and King of Kings. Most notably, King Mo was announced to represent Bellator in the tournament. [17] The 8-man bracket was officially finalized on November 30, 2015, with other bouts also being announced shortly thereafter. [18] [19] [20] [21] Kron Gracie (whose father Rickson competed at the inaugural PRIDE event) was announced to participate against Asen Yamamoto. [22] Amongst the veterans in the Japanese scene, Tsuyoshi Kosaka would face James Thompson, [23] and Akebono Tarō would face Bob Sapp. [24]

Initial plans were to do at least four events per year, as opposed to the more frequent scheduling of other promotions, in order to build up the excitement and anticipation. [25] Rizin's presentation is modeled after major sporting events, such as the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup. [26]

2016–present

In 2018, it was announced that the main event for the traditional New Year's Eve card (Rizin 14) was going to be a boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and undefeated Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa. [27] The match ended up with Nasukawa knocked out two minutes into the first round. [28]

Rizin Trigger 1st, on November 11, 2021, would be Rizin's first event in which matches would take place inside a cage, instead of the traditional roped ring. [29]

On December 31, 2022, as the traditional New Year's Eve event, Rizin hosted a crossover Bellator vs Rizin card with Bellator MMA as part of Rizin 40. [30] The card saw fighters from each promotion fight each other. [31] The card saw Bellator MMA fighters Gadzhi Rabadanov, former champions A.J. McKee, Juan Archuleta and Kyoji Horiguchi, and current champion Patricio Freire, fighting against Rizin representatives Koji Takeda, Soo Chul Kim, Hiromasa Ougikubo and champions Kleber Koike Erbst and Roberto de Souza. All five Bellator representatives would win their matches in a clean sweep. [32] During the event, former boxing world champion Manny Pacquiao made a public announcement that he had signed with Rizin for a boxing exhibition match against an yet-unannounced opponent. [33]

During the Super Rizin 2 card on July 30, 2023, the promotion announced their first international event, Rizin Landmark 7, to take place in Azerbaijan on November 4. [34] It will also be the first major MMA event to take place in the country. [35]

Broadcasting and coverage

Rizin's inaugural event was broadcast in North America on Spike TV. [36] Other broadcasters have included SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, Fuji Television, Fox Sports Brazil, Kix and Match TV. [37] From 2017 to 2020, Rizin events have been streaming on FITE TV in North America and Europe. [38] Rizin 26 to Rizin 37 would stream on LIVENow in Europe and North America. [39]

In 2022, due to several controversies, Rizin would be dropped by Fuji by May of that year. [40] [41] Rizin would since begin broadcasting on events via PPV on their streaming service, RIZIN STREAM PASS, and various other streaming platforms in Japan. [42]

Starting with Super Rizin & Rizin 38 in 2022, [43] [44] Integrated Sports would produce English-language PPVs of Rizin events for FITE. [45]

In February 2024, Rizin announced the launch of a new international service, Rizin.tv. From March, the service will be subscription-based, and will include past events. [46]

Weight classes

Weight class nameUpper limitGender
Atomweight47 kg (104 lb)Female
Super Atomweight49 kg (108 lb)Female
Light Flyweight53 kg (117 lb)Female
Flyweight57 kg (126 lb)Male
Bantamweight61 kg (134 lb)Male
Featherweight66 kg (146 lb)Male
Lightweight71 kg (157 lb)Male
Welterweight77 kg (170 lb)Male
Middleweight85 kg (187 lb)Male
Light Heavyweight95 kg (209 lb)Male
Heavyweight120 kg (265 lb)Male
OpenweightNo weight restrictionMale / Female

Rules

Mixed martial arts

The rules in Rizin FF have been adopted from Pride FC with some slight modifications over the years. Matches are three rounds in length. Prior to May 2018, the first round of men's matches spanned 10 minutes, while the final two rounds lasted five minutes each. Since then matches have been three rounds of five minutes each. Victory can be attained by knockout, submission, technical knockout by referee stoppage, or by judges' decision.

All strikes, throws and chokes are permitted, with the exception of headbutts and strikes to the back of the head, medulla oblongata, spinal cord or genitals. [47] Soccer kicks, knees and stomps to grounded opponents are also permitted. However, if there is a weight discrepancy of 15 kg (33 lb) or more, the lighter fighter is allowed to choose if such ground attacks are permitted. [47] Unlike Pride, Rizin allows the use of elbow strikes, including the 12–6 elbow. [48]

Judging criteria

Fights are judged on the following criteria: [47]

  • Damage: when assessing damage, both striking and grappling are given the same weight. The judges will place value on the extent to which the effective striking or grappling 'influences the match' - in other words, whether there was such damage/advantage to the fighter which would have led to the fight being ended by the opponent tapping out or being knocked out.
  • Aggressiveness: the judges will consider which fighter was more effective in delivering attacks which may end the fight in a finish. Note this element does not take into consideration the actual impact of damage caused by the fighter's strikes, throws or submission. Rather, the judges will place value on whether fighters were aggressive and proactive in their approach during the fight.
  • Generalship: the judges will consider which fighter was more effective in dominating the pace, place and position of the fight. Judges will also consider the amount of time spent in a ground position or the standing position.

Although not outlined in the Rizin rules, scorecards published on the JMOC website suggest that damage, aggressiveness and generalship are scored 50, 30 and 20 points respectively. Where the fighter has not fulfilled the element, they are given a score of zero - there are no in-betweens. [48]

Kickboxing

Rizin kickboxing matches are three rounds of three minutes each. Victory can be attained by knockout, technical knockout by referee stoppage, or by judges' decision. If the match goes the distance, a 10-point system is used to judge. [47] Three knockdowns in a single round will result in a technical knockout. [47] All forms of elbow strikes are illegal. [47]

List of Rizin FF events

#EventDateVenueLocationAttendance
62 Rizin Landmark 9 March 23, 2024 World Memorial Hall Flag of Japan.svg Kobe, Japan
61 Rizin Landmark 8 February 24, 2024Saga Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saga, Japan 7,758
60 Rizin 45 December 31, 2023 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 23,013
59 Rizin Landmark 7 November 4, 2023 National Gymnastics Arena Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Baku, Azerbaijan
58 Rizin Landmark 6 October 1, 2023 Dolphins Arena Flag of Japan.svg Nagoya, Japan 7,017
57 Rizin 44 September 24, 2023 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 11,681
56 Super Rizin 2: Rizin X Bellator July 30, 2023 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 24,264
55 Rizin 43 – Sapporo June 24, 2023 Makomanai Ice Arena Flag of Japan.svg Sapporo, Japan 8,510
54 Rizin 42 May 6, 2023 Ariake Arena Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo, Japan 14,930
53 Rizin Landmark 5 April 29, 2023 Yoyogi National Gymnasium Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo, Japan 13,837
52 Rizin 41 – Osaka April 1, 2023Maruzen Intec Arena Flag of Japan.svg Osaka, Japan 9,987
51 Rizin 40 & Rizin vs Bellator December 31, 2022 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 23,661
50 Rizin Landmark 4 November 6, 2022 Dolphins Arena Flag of Japan.svg Nagoya, Japan
49 Rizin 39 October 23, 2022 Marine Messe Fukuoka Flag of Japan.svg Fukuoka, Japan
48 Super Rizin & Rizin 38 September 25, 2022 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan
47 Rizin 37 - Saitama July 31, 202211,166
46 Rizin 36 - Okinawa July 7, 2022 Okinawa Arena Flag of Japan.svg Okinawa, Japan 7,264
45 The Match 2022 June 19, 2022 Tokyo Dome Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo, Japan 56,399
44 Rizin Landmark 3 May 5, 2022— Flag of Japan.svg Japan —
43 Rizin 35 April 17, 2022 Musashino Forest Sport Plaza Flag of Japan.svg Chōfu, Japan 8,935
42 Rizin Trigger 3 April 16, 20226,515
41 Rizin 34 – Osaka March 20, 2022 Maruzen Intec Arena Flag of Japan.svg Osaka, Japan 22,449
40 Rizin Landmark 2 March 6, 2022— Flag of Japan.svg Japan —
39 Rizin Trigger 2 February 23, 2022 Ecopa Arena Flag of Japan.svg Fukuroi, Japan —
38 Rizin 33 - Saitama December 31, 2021 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 22,499
37 Rizin Trigger 1 November 28, 2021 World Memorial Hall Flag of Japan.svg Kobe, Japan 4,025
36 Rizin 32 - Okinawa November 20, 2021 Okinawa Arena Flag of Japan.svg Okinawa, Japan 4,771
35 Rizin 31 - Yokohama October 24, 2021 Pia Arena MM Flag of Japan.svg Yokohama, Japan 7,580
34 Rizin Landmark Vol. 1 October 2, 2021— Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo, Japan ~90
33 Rizin 30 – Saitama September 19, 2021 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 7,580
32 Rizin 29 – Osaka June 27, 2021 Maruzen Intec Arena Flag of Japan.svg Osaka, Japan 4,796
31 Rizin 28 – Tokyo June 13, 2021 Tokyo Dome Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo, Japan 9,317
30 Rizin 27 – Nagoya March 21, 2021 Nippon Gaishi Hall Flag of Japan.svg Nagoya, Japan 4,558
29 Rizin 26 – Saitama December 31, 2020 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 9,978
28 Rizin 25 – Osaka November 21, 2020 Osaka-jō Hall Flag of Japan.svg Osaka, Japan 5,487
27 Rizin 24 – Saitama September 27, 2020 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 5,000
26 Rizin 23 - Calling Over August 10, 2020Pia Arena MM Flag of Japan.svg Yokohama, Japan 4,410
25 Rizin 22 - Starting Over August 9, 20202,805
24 Rizin 21 - Hamamatsu February 22, 2020 Hamamatsu Arena Flag of Japan.svg Hamamatsu, Japan 6,832
23 Rizin 20 - Saitama December 31, 2019 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 29,315 [49]
22 Rizin 19 - Osaka October 12, 2019 Edion Arena Flag of Japan.svg Osaka, Japan 5,098
21 Rizin 18 - Nagoya August 18, 2019 Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium Flag of Japan.svg Nagoya, Japan 6,281
20 Rizin 17 - Saitama July 28, 2019 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 16,930
19 Rizin 16 - Kobe June 2, 2019 World Memorial Hall Flag of Japan.svg Kobe, Japan 8,107
18 Rizin 15 - Yokohama April 21, 2019 Yokohama Arena Flag of Japan.svg Yokohama, Japan 12,914
17 Rizin 14 - Saitama December 31, 2018 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 29,105 [50]
16 Rizin - Heisei's Last Yarennoka! December 31, 20187,498 [51]
15 Rizin 13 - Saitama September 30, 201827,208
14 Rizin 12 - Aichi - Ken August 12, 2018 Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium Flag of Japan.svg Nagoya, Japan 5,567
13 Rizin 11 - Saitama July 29, 2018 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 17,912
12 Rizin 10 - Fukuoka May 6, 2018 Marine Messe Fukuoka Flag of Japan.svg Fukuoka, Japan 7,910
11 Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Final Round December 31, 2017 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 18,316
10 Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round December 29, 201715,539
9 Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Opening Round - Part 2 October 15, 2017 Marine Messe Fukuoka Flag of Japan.svg Fukuoka, Japan 7,732
8 Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Opening Round - Part 1 July 30, 2017 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 17,730
7 Rizin 2017 in Yokohama: Sakura April 16, 2017 Yokohama Arena Flag of Japan.svg Yokohama, Japan 12,729
6 Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: Final Round December 31, 2016 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 19,357
5 Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 2nd Round December 29, 201616,642
4 Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 1st Round September 25, 201615,011
3 Rizin 1 April 17, 2016 Nippon Gaishi Hall Flag of Japan.svg Nagoya, Japan 7,291
2 Rizin World Grand Prix 2015: Part 2 - Iza December 31, 2015 Saitama Super Arena Flag of Japan.svg Saitama, Japan 18,365
1 Rizin World Grand Prix 2015: Part 1 - Saraba December 29, 201512,214

Current champions

DivisionChampionSinceDefenses
Light Heavyweight Vacant
Lightweight Flag of Brazil.svg Roberto de Souza June 13, 20212
Featherweight Flag of Japan.svg Chihiro Suzuki November 4, 20230
Bantamweight Flag of Japan.svg Kai Asakura December 31, 20230
Flyweight Flag of Japan.svg Kyoji Horiguchi December 31, 20230
Women's Super Atomweight Flag of Japan.svg Seika Izawa April 17, 20221

Championship history

Light Heavyweight Championship

Weight limit: 95 kg (209.4 lb)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Jiří Procházka
def. Muhammed Lawal 		Rizin 15
Yokohama, Japan		April 21, 2019269 days1. def. C. B. Dollaway at Rizin 20 on Dec 31, 2019
Procházka vacated the title on January 15, 2020 after he signed with UFC. [52]

Lightweight Championship

Weight limit: 71 kg (156.5 lb)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of Brazil.svg Roberto de Souza
def. Tofiq Musayev 		Rizin 28
Tokyo, Japan		June 13, 20211,018 days
(incumbent)

1. def. Yusuke Yachi at Rizin 33 on December 31, 2021
2. def. Johnny Case at Rizin 35 on April 17, 2022

Featherweight Championship

Weight limit: 66 kg (145.5 lb)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of Japan.svg Yutaka Saito
def. Mikuru Asakura 		Rizin 25
Osaka, Japan		November 21, 2020337 days
2 Flag of Japan.svg Juntaro Ushiku Rizin 31
Yokohama, Japan		October 24, 2021364 days1. def. Yutaka Saito at Rizin 35 on April 17, 2022
3 Flag of Japan.svg Kleber Koike Erbst Rizin 39
Fukuoka, Japan		October 23, 2022243 days
Koike was stripped of the title on June 23, 2023 after failing to make weight for his title defense against Chihiro Suzuki at Rizin 43. [53]
4 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Vugar Karamov
def. Mikuru Asakura 		Super Rizin 2
Saitama, Japan		July 30, 202397 days
5 Flag of Japan.svg Chihiro Suzuki Rizin Landmark 7
Baku, Azerbaijan		November 4, 2023144 days
(incumbent)

Bantamweight Championship

Weight limit: 61 kg (134.5 lb)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of Japan.svg Kyoji Horiguchi
def. Darrion Caldwell 		Rizin 14
Saitama, Japan		December 31, 2018318 days
Horiguchi vacated the title on November 14, 2019 after he was unable to defend the title due to injury. [54]
2 Flag of Portugal.svg Manel Kape
def. Kai Asakura 		Rizin 20
Saitama, Japan		December 31, 201992 days
Kape vacated the title on April 1, 2020 after he signed with the UFC. [55]
3 Flag of Japan.svg Kai Asakura
def. Hiromasa Ougikubo 		Rizin 23
Yokohama, Japan		August 10, 2020143 days
4 Flag of Japan.svg Kyoji Horiguchi (2) Rizin 26
Saitama, Japan		December 31, 2020730 days
Horiguchi vacated the title on December 31, 2022 after he moved down to Flyweight.
5 Flag of the United States.svg Juan Archuleta
def. Hiromasa Ougikubo 		Super Rizin 2
Saitama, Japan		July 30, 2023154 days
Archuleta was stripped of the title on December 31, 2023 after failing to make weight for his title defense against Kai Asakura at Rizin 45. [56]
6 Flag of Japan.svg Kai Asakura (2) Rizin 45
Saitama, Japan		December 31, 202387 days

Flyweight Championship

Weight limit: 57 kg (125.7 lb)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of Japan.svg Kyoji Horiguchi
def. Makoto Takahashi 		Rizin 45
Saitama, Japan		December 31, 202387 days

Women's Super Atomweight Championship

Weight limit: 49 kg (108.0 lb)
No.NameEventDateReignDefenses
1 Flag of Japan.svg Ayaka Hamasaki
def. Kanna Asakura 		Rizin 14
Saitama, Japan		December 31, 2018365 days1. def. Jinh Yu Frey at Rizin 16 on June 2, 2019
2 Flag of South Korea.svg Seo Hee Ham Rizin 20
Saitama, Japan		December 31, 2019293 days
On October 19, Seo Hee Ham vacated her title after being unable to agree on her next fight with the organization and signed with ONE Championship. [57]
3 Flag of Japan.svg Ayaka Hamasaki (2)
def. Miyuu Yamamoto 		Rizin 26
Saitama, Japan		December 31, 20201,182 days1. def. Kanna Asakura at Rizin 27 on March 21, 2021
4 Flag of Japan.svg Seika Izawa Rizin 35
Chōfu, Japan		April 17, 2022710 days1. def. Claire Lopez at Super Rizin 2 on July 30, 2023

Grand-Prix Champions

MMA

Weight ClassChampionRunner-upEventDateTournament Bracket
Rizin Heavyweight 100 kg 2015 Flag of the United States.svg Muhammed Lawal Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Jiří Procházka Rizin WGP 2015: Part 2 - Iza December 31, 2015 Rizin 100 Kg Grand-Prix bracket
Rizin Openweight 2016 Flag of Croatia.svg Mirko Filipović Flag of Iran.svg Amir Aliakbari Rizin WGP 2016: Final Round December 31, 2016 Rizin Openweight Grand Prix 2016 bracket
Rizin Bantamweight 61 kg 2017 Flag of Japan.svg Kyoji Horiguchi Flag of Japan.svg Shintaro Ishiwatari Rizin WGP 2017: Final Round December 31, 2017 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix 2017 bracket
Rizin Women's Super Atomweight 49 kg 2017 Flag of Japan.svg Kanna Asakura Flag of Japan.svg Rena Kubota Rizin WGP 2017: Final Round December 31, 2017 Rizin Women's Super Atomweight Grand Prix 2017 bracket
Rizin Lightweight 71 kg 2019 Flag of Azerbaijan.svg Tofiq Musayev Flag of Brazil.svg Patricky Pitbull Rizin 20 December 31, 2019 Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix bracket
Rizin Bantamweight 61 kg 2021 Flag of Japan.svg Hiromasa Ougikubo Flag of Japan.svg Kai Asakura Rizin 33 December 31, 2021 Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix bracket
Rizin Women's Super Atomweight 49 kg 2022 Flag of Japan.svg Seika Izawa Flag of South Korea.svg Si Woo Park Rizin 40 December 31, 2022 Rizin Women's Super Atomweight Grand Prix 2022 bracket

Kickboxing

Weight ClassChampionRunner-UpEventDateTournament Bracket
Rizin Kick Flyweight 57 kg 2017 Flag of Japan.svg Tenshin Nasukawa Flag of Japan.svg Yamato Fujita Rizin WGP 2017: Final Round December 31, 2017 Rizin Flyweight KB Tournament
Rizin Kick Bantamweight 61 kg 2021 Flag of Japan.svg Taiju Shiratori Flag of Japan.svg Kouzi Rizin 29 June 27, 2021

Records

Most wins in title bouts

Title winsChampionDivisionWDNCL
4 Flag of Japan.svg Ayaka Hamasaki Super Atomweight4002
3 Flag of Brazil.svg Roberto de Souza Lightweight3000
Flag of Japan.svg Kyoji Horiguchi Bantamweight
Flyweight		2
1		0
0		0
0		0
0
2 Flag of Japan.svg Kai Asakura Bantamweightt2002
Flag of Japan.svg Juntaro UshikuFeatherweight2001
Flag of Japan.svg Seika Izawa Super Atomweight2000

Most consecutive title defenses

DefensesChampionDivisionPeriod
2 Flag of Brazil.svg Roberto de Souza LightweightJune 13, 2021 – present
1 Flag of Japan.svg Ayaka Hamasaki Women's Super AtomweightDecember 31, 2018 – December 31, 2019
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Jiří Procházka Light HeavyweightApril 21, 2019 – January 15, 2020
Flag of Japan.svg Ayaka Hamasaki Women's Super AtomweightDecember 31, 2020 – April 17, 2022
Flag of Japan.svg Juntaro UshikuFeatherweightOctober 24, 2021 – October 23, 2022
Flag of Japan.svg Seika Izawa Women's Super AtomweightApril 17, 2022 – present

Multi-division champions

Interim title
No.ChampionDivisionWonLostDefensesReignTotal Reign
1 Flag of Japan.svg Kyoji Horiguchi BantamweightDec 31, 2018
(Rizin 14)		Nov 14, 2019
(vacated)		0318 days1135 days
Dec 31, 2020
(Rizin 26)		Dec 31, 2022
(vacated)		0730 days
FlyweightDec 31, 2023
(Rizin 45)		present087 days

Champions by nationality

The division champions include only linear and true champions. Interim champions who have never become linear champions will be listed as interim champions. Fighters with multiple title reigns in a specific division will also be counted once. Runners-up are not included in tournaments champions.

CountryDivision
champions		Interim
champions		Tournaments
champions		Total
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 9-413
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan 1-12
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 1-12
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 1--1
Flag of Angola.svg  Angola 1--1
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 1--1
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 1--1
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia --11

Notable fighters

Affiliated organizations

Rizin FF is affiliated with the following organizations: [58]

See also

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Kyoji Horiguchi is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in Bellator MMA and Rizin FF in the Flyweight division, where he is the current RIZIN Flyweight Champion. He is also the former bantamweight champion in both organizations. As of July 30, 2023, he is #5 in the Bellator Bantamweight Rankings.

The year 2015 was the first year in the history of the Rizin Fighting Federation, a mixed martial arts promotion based in Japan. Only two events were held this year, both consisting of the Rizin World Grand-Prix 2015. Rizin events are broadcast through a television agreement with Fuji Television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tenshin Nasukawa</span> Japanese professional kickboxer

Tenshin Nasukawa is a Japanese professional boxer, former professional kickboxer and mixed martial artist. A generational talent, Nasukawa was regarded as a pound for pound talent throughout most of his career as a professional kickboxer and is regarded as one of the greatest kickboxers in the modern history of the sport. Nasukawa became famous after his knockout victories over former IBF boxing world champion Amnat Ruenroeng in 2017 and Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai champion Wanchalong PK Saenchaigym in 2016.

The year 2018 was the fourth year in the history of the Rizin Fighting Federation, a mixed martial arts promotion based in Japan. The year began with Rizin 10 in Fukuoka on May 6, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vadim Nemkov</span> Russian sambist and mixed martial artist

Vadim Aleksandrovich Nemkov is a Russian professional mixed martial artist and a four-time Combat Sambo World Champion. He currently competes in the Heavyweight division of Bellator, where he is the former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion. As of June 20, 2023, he is #1 in the Bellator men's pound-for-pound rankings. Nemkov is the younger brother of Viktor Nemkov and is a protégé of the MMA Heavyweight and Sambo master Fedor Emelianenko. He is ranked #1 in the 205 division by sherdog.

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.

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 with Rizin 21 in Hamamatsu on February 22, 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic would put the promotion on hiatus until Rizin 22 on August 9.

The year 2022 was the eighth year in the history of the Rizin Fighting Federation, a mixed martial arts promotion based in Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tenshin Nasukawa vs. Takeru</span> Kickboxing match in Tokyo, Japan

Tenshin Nasukawa vs. Takeru was a professional kickboxing event held at The Tokyo Dome on June 19, 2022. Rizin Fighting Federation CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara was a general producer, and has stated that this would be a neutral event regardless of the organization.

Tofiq Musayev is an Azerbaijani professional mixed martial artist, competing in the Lightweight division of Bellator MMA. As of December 8, 2023, he is #2 in the Bellator Lightweight Rankings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bellator MMA vs. Rizin</span> Bellator and Rizin mixed martial arts event in 2022

Bellator MMA vs. Rizin FF and Rizin 40 was a mixed martial arts event being co-promoted by Bellator MMA and the Rizin Fighting Federation that took place on December 31, 2022, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bellator 290</span> Bellator mixed martial arts event in 2023

Bellator 290: Bader vs. Fedor 2 was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on February 4, 2023, at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, United States. The card aired live on CBS and Paramount Plus, the first time the promotion has aired live on the network and the first time MMA has been broadcast live on CBS since 2010.

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

References

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