2018 in Rizin Fighting Federation

The year 2018 is the 4th year in the history of the Rizin Fighting Federation, a mixed martial arts promotion based in Japan. The season started with Rizin Fighting Federation in Fukuoka. It started broadcasting through a television agreement with Fuji Television. In North America and Europe Rizin FF is available on PPV all over the world and on FITE TV.[1]

2018 in Rizin Fighting Federation
Information
First date	May 6, 2018
Last date	December 31, 2018
Events
Total events	6
Fights
Total fights	66
Title fights	2
Chronology
2017 in Rizin Fighting Federation 2018 in Rizin Fighting Federation 2019 in Rizin Fighting Federation

Background

Nobuyuki Sakakibara announced that Rizin will do 5 events in 2018: May, July, August, September and the December 31st show.[2]

List of events

Title fights

Title fights in 2018
#	Weight Class				Method	Round	T.Time	Event	Notes
1	Super Atomweight 49 kg	Ayaka Hamasaki	def.	Kanna Asakura	Submission (Armbar)	2	9:34	Rizin 14 - Saitama	For the inaugural Rizin Women's Super Atomweight Championship
2	Bantamweight 61 kg	Kyoji Horiguchi	def.	Darrion Caldwell	Submission (Guillotine Choke)	3	11:13	Rizin 14 - Saitama	For the inaugural Rizin Bantamweight Championship

Rizin 10 - Fukuoka

Rizin 10 - Fukuoka
Information
Promotion	Rizin Fighting Federation
Date	May 6, 2018
Venue	Marine Messe Fukuoka
City	Fukuoka, Japan

Rizin 10 - Fukuoka was a mixed martial arts event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on May 6, 2018 at the Marine Messe Fukuoka in Fukuoka, Japan.

Background

Bantamweight Grand Prix Champion Kyoji Horiguchi was announced to take on fellow veteran Ian McCall in a much anticipated bout that failed to materialize during the New Years Event.[5] Rounding off the marquee match-ups were the kickboxing phenomenon, Tenshin Nasukawa, taking on DEEP flyweight champion Yusaku Nakamura, and newly-crowned atomweight queen Kanna Asakura, who will face former King of the Cage atomweight champion Melissa Karagianis.

Yachi Yusuke will face off against UFC-vet Diego Nunes, and the Kunlun Fight strawweight champion Weili Zhang was supposed to face Kanako Murata. However, Zhang suffered an injury on her left shoulder during training and was forced to withdraw from the fight. She was replaced by the former TUF 23 cast member Lanchana Green.[6] This event also saw the return of the former Invicta atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki, as well as up-and-coming prospects Manel Kape and Kai Asakura.[7]

Results

Rizin 10
Weight Class				Method	Round	T.Time	Notes
Bantamweight 61 kg	Kyoji Horiguchi	def.	Ian McCall	KO (Punch)	1	0:09
Flyweight 57 kg	Tenshin Nasukawa	def.	Yusaku Nakamura	TKO (3 Knockdowns Rules)	2	4:42	Kickboxing bout
Super Atomweight 49 kg	Kanna Asakura	def.	Melissa Karagianis	Decision (Unanimous)	3	15:00
Lightweight 70 kg	Yusuke Yachi	def.	Diego Nunes	Decision (Split)	3	15:00
Lightweight 70 kg	Daron Cruickshank	def.	Koshi Matsumoto	KO (Head Kick)	1	3:52
Strawweight 51.5 kg	Issei Ishii	def.	Daishin Sakai	Decision (Unanimous)	3	9:00	Kickboxing bout
Catchweight 59 kg	Kai Asakura	def.	Manel Kape	Decision (Split)	3	15:00
Super Atomweight 49 kg	Ayaka Hamasaki	def.	Alyssa Garcia	Decision (Unanimous)	3	15:00
Heavyweight 120 kg	Ante Delija	def.	Ricardo Prasel	Decision (Unanimous)	3	15:00
Heavyweight 120 kg	Jairzinho Rozenstruik	def.	Andrey Kovalev	Decision (Split)	3	15:00
Strawweight 53 kg	Kanako Murata	def.	Lanchana Green	Submission (Anaconda Choke)	1	4:54
Bantamweight 61 kg	Tomohiro Kitai	vs.	Kurogi Darvish	Draw (Split)	3	9:00	Kickboxing bout

Rizin 11 - Saitama

Rizin 11 - Saitama
Information
Promotion	Rizin Fighting Federation
Date	July 29, 2018
Venue	Saitama Super Arena
City	Saitama, Japan

Rizin 11 - Saitama was a mixed martial arts event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on July 29, 2018 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Background

After a 9-second knockout victory, Kyoji Horiguchi made a quick turnaround, in a long-awaited rematch against fellow Japanese champion Hiromasa Ogikubo.[8] Ogikubo, the current Shooto bantamweight champion, has not lost since he last faced Horiguchi in 2013. Another rematch took place with Kanna Asakura taking on RENA, who she defeated in the final of the Atomweight Grand Prix.

Originally Mirko Cro Cop was scheduled for this event, however on May 21, 2018, while training for a bout in Bellator MMA against Roy Nelson, Crocop suffered multiple injuries to his left leg including an ACL tear, a partial MCL tear, and a LCL sprain. It was revealed that the recovery for these injuries would take a minimum of 5 months, and so he was ruled out of the event.[9]

Originally a fight was set between Takanori Gomi and Andy Souwer. However, Souwer was forced to withdrawal due to signing a exclusive contract with ONE Championship. He was replaced by UFC veteran Melvin Guillard at a weight limit of 73.0kg. Guillard weighed in at 73.95kg, forcing the bout to be contested at a catchweight.

Originally a fight was set between Kai Asakura and Topnoi Tiger Muay Thai. However, Asakura was pulled from the event due to a knee injury and replaced by former Tenkaichi Champion Tadaaki Yamamoto

Originally a fight was set between Rin Nakai and Shizuka Sugiyama. However, Nakai was pulled from the event due to acute nephritis, and the bout was cancelled all together.

Results

Rizin 11
Weight Class				Method	Round	T.Time	Notes
Super Atomweight 49 kg	Kanna Asakura	def.	Rena Kubota	Decision (unanimous)	3	15:00
Catchweight 60 kg	Kyoji Horiguchi	def.	Hiromasa Ougikubo	Decision (Unanimous)	2	15:00
Light Heavyweight 93 kg	Jiří Procházka	def.	Bruno Cappelozza	KO (Punches)	1	1:41
Catchweight 74 kg	Takanori Gomi	def.	Melvin Guillard	KO (Punches)	1	2:33
Lightweight 70 kg	Diego Brandao	def.	Satoru Kitaoka	KO (Punches)	1	1:30
Openweight	Unurjargal Boldpurev	def.	Shoma Shibisai	Decision (Unanimous)	3	15:00
Lightweight 70 kg	Kaito Ono	def.	Yoshiya Uzatsuyo	KO (knee)	2	4:22	Kickboxing bout
Super Atomweight 49 kg	Miyuu Yamamoto	def.	Saori Ishioka	Decision (split)	3	15:00
Catchweight 59 kg	Topnoi Thanongsaklek	def.	Tadaaki Yamamoto	KO (Punch)	1	1:06
Lightweight 70 kg	Daron Cruickshank	def.	Tom Santos	TKO (Elbows)	3	14:11

Rizin 12 - Nagoya

Rizin 12 - Nagoya
Information
Promotion	Rizin Fighting Federation
Date	August 12, 2018
Venue	Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium
City	Nagoya, Japan

Rizin 12 - Nagoya was a mixed martial arts event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on August 12, 2018 at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, Japan.

Background

Former Jungle Fight Lightweight Champion Bruno Carvalho was expected to headline this event against Yusuke Yachi, but was forced off the card due to an injury.[10] Carvalho was replaced by the undefeated Luiz Gustavo.

King Reina takes on veteran Kaitlin Young in a women's featherweight bout. Kiichi Kunimoto will face DEEP Welterweight Champion Ryuichiro Sumimura. Mikuru Asakura (who is Kai Asakura's older brother) is expected to face all-time great, Hatsu Hioki. Former UFC competitor Angela Magana makes her promotional debut against Kanako Murata.[11]

Results

Rizin 12
Weight Class				Method	Round	T.Time	Notes
Lightweight 70 kg	Luiz Gustavo	def.	Yusuke Yachi	KO (Punch)	2	7:32
Bantamweight 61 kg	Yuki Motoya	def.	Kazuma Sone	Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)	2	9:31
Welterweight 77 kg	Kiichi Kunimoto	def.	Ryuichiro Sumimura	Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)	1	4:59
Featherweight 65 kg	Kaitlin Young	def.	Reina Miura	Decision (Unanimous)	3	15:00
Catchweight 59 kg	Daiki Naito	def.	Hannya Hashimoto	TKO (Leg Kicks)	2	4:53	Kickboxing bout
Featherweight 66 kg	Mikuru Asakura	def.	Hatsu Hioki	KO (Head Kick and Punches)	1	3:45
Heavyweight 120 kg	Roque Martinez	def.	Kiyoshi Kuwabara	TKO (Punches)	1	4:37
Featherweight 65 kg	Kaito Ono	def.	Sho Ogawa	Decision (Unanimous)	3	9:00	Kickboxing bout
Strawweight 53 kg	Kanako Murata	def.	Angela Magana	Submission (Von Flue Choke)	2	8:52
Catchweight 59 kg	Ryuki	def.	NAOYA	Decision (Unanimous)	3	9:00	Kickboxing bout.
Lightweight 70 kg	Shintaro Matsukura	def.	Takahiro Okuyama	KO (Punch)	2	5:30	Kickboxing bout
Catchweight 53 kg	Shota Takiya	def.	Syuto Sato	Decision (Unanimous)	3	9:00	Kickboxing bout

Rizin 13 - Saitama

Rizin 13 - Saitama
Information
Promotion	Rizin Fighting Federation
Date	September 30, 2018
Venue	Saitama Super Arena
City	Saitama, Japan

Rizin 13 - Saitama was a mixed martial arts event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on September 30, 2018 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Background

A champion versus champion affair kicked off the card, as current Pancrase Strawweight Champion Mitsuhisa Sunabe took on reigning DEEP Strawweight Champion Haruo Ochi. Jiri Prochazka looked to continue his winning streak against WSOF/PFL veteran Jake Heun. Brothers Mikuru and Kai Asakura fought Karshyga Dautbek and Topnoi Thanongsaklek, respectively. 4-time K-1 champion Taiga Kawabe made his RIZIN debut against fellow debutant Kento Haraguchi.

Miyuu Yamamoto rematched former King of the Cage Atomweight Champion Andy Nguyen; Nguyen defeated Yamamoto at RIZIN's 2016 New Year Eve card. Manel Kape returned to the RIZIN ring for a 5th time, and faced DEEP Flyweight Champion Yusaku Nakamura. Former Invicta Atomweight Champion Ayaka Hamasaki made her second appearance for RIZIN, this time fighting the current DEEP Jewels Atomweight Champion, Mina Kurobe. UFC veterans Daron Cruickshank and Diego Brandao faced off in a lightweight bout.

Mirko Cro Cop returned after a 4-month injury lay-off against DEEP Megaton Champion, Roque Martinez. The first African professional sumo wrestler, Osunaarashi, fought fan-favorite Bob Sapp. The card was headlined by kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa and Bantamweight Grand Prix Champion Kyoji Horiguchi, in a kickboxing rules bout.[12]

Results

Rizin 13
Weight Class				Method	Round	T.Time	Notes
Light Heavyweight 93 kg	Jiří Procházka	def.	Jake Heun	TKO (Punches)	1	4:29
Featherweight 66 kg	Mikuru Asakura	def.	Karshyga Dautbek	Decision (Unanimous)	3	15:00
Lightweight 70 kg	Daron Cruickshank	def.	Diego Brandao	KO (Flying Knee)	2	5:17
Flyweight 57 kg	Tenshin Nasukawa	def.	Kyoji Horiguchi	Decision (Unanimous)	3	9:00	Kickboxing bout
Super Atomweight 49 kg	Miyuu Yamamoto	def.	Andy Nguyen	Decision (Unanimous)	3	15:00
Heavyweight 120 kg	Mirko Filipovic	def.	Roque Martinez	TKO (Cut)	1	4:58
Openweight	Bob Sapp	def.	Osunaarashi	Decision (Unanimous)	3	9:00	Special Rules bout
Strawweight 53 kg	Haruo Ochi	def.	Mitsuhisa Sunabe	KO (Soccer Kicks)	3	12:51
Catchweight 59 kg	Kai Asakura	def.	Topnoi Thanongsaklek	Decision (Unanimous)	3	15:00
Super Atomweight 49 kg	Ayaka Hamasaki	def.	Mina Kurobe	Submission (Kimura)	1	4:45
Catchweight 59 kg	Taiga		Kento Haraguchi	Draw (Majority)	3	9:00	Kickboxing bout
Catchweight 58 kg	Manel Kape	def.	Yusaku Nakamura	Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)	3	14:27

Rizin - Heisei's Last Yarennoka!

Rizin - Heisei's Last Yarennoka!
Information
Promotion	Rizin Fighting Federation
Date	December 31, 2018
Venue	Saitama Super Arena
City	Saitama, Japan

Rizin - Heisei's Last Yarennoka! was a mixed martial arts event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on December 31, 2018 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Background

The card was headlined by former Sengoku, Deep and Pancrase champion Satoru Kitaoka who takes on former Shooto champion Tatsuya Kawajiri in a three-round Lightweight match.

Results

Rizin Heisei's Last Yarennoka!
Weight Class				Method	Round	T.Time	Notes
Lightweight 70 kg	Satoru Kitaoka	def.	Tatsuya Kawajiri	Decision (Split)	3	15:00
Catchweight 68 kg	Mikuru Asakura	def.	Takeshi Inoue	TKO (Flying Knee and Punch)	2	7:39
Flyweight 57 kg	Kana Watanabe	def.	Shizuka Sugiyama	TKO (Punch)	1	0:11
Bantamweight 61 kg	Kai Asakura	def.	Jae Hoon Moon	Decision (Unanimous)	3	15:00
Catchweight 64 kg	Taiju Shiratori	def.	Yoshiya Uzatsuyo	TKO (Flying Knee)	3	7:43	Kickboxing bout
Catchweight 92 kg	Yuta Uchida	def.	Takuma Konishi	Decision (Unanimous)	3	9:00	Kickboxing bout
Super Atomweight 49 kg	Ai	def.	Nanaka Kawamura	TKO (Punches)	1	3:01

Rizin 14 - Saitama

Rizin 14 - Saitama
Information
Promotion	Rizin Fighting Federation
Date	December 31, 2018
Venue	Saitama Super Arena
City	Saitama, Japan

Rizin 14 - Saitama was a mixed martial arts event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on December 31, 2018 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Background

The card was headlined by kickboxing sensation Tenshin Nasukawa, who took on multiple weight world boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a three-round exhibition boxing match.[13] The match was controversial and drew accusations of match-fixing from both fans and pundits alike.[14][15]

Emanuel Newton was to face Jiří Procházka at this event, but had to withdraw due to an injury. He was replaced by Brandon Halsey.

Rena Kubota was to face Samantha Jean-Francois at this event, but had to withdraw due to Anemia and dehydration. The fight was canceled.

Results

Rizin 14
Weight Class				Method	Round	T.Time	Notes
Catchweight 66.6 kg	Floyd Mayweather Jr.	def.	Tenshin Nasukawa	TKO (Corner Stoppage)	1	2:19	Exhibition boxing match
Bantamweight 61 kg	Kyoji Horiguchi	def.	Darrion Caldwell	Submission (Guillotine Choke)	3	11:13	For the inaugural Rizin Bantamweight Championship
Super Atomweight 49 kg	Ayaka Hamasaki	def.	Kanna Asakura	Submission (Armbar)	2	9:34	For the inaugural Rizin Super Atomweight Championship
Light Heavyweight 93 kg	Jiří Procházka	def.	Brandon Halsey	Submission (Punches)	1	6:30
Catchweight 102.5 kg	Gabi Garcia	def.	Barbara Nepomuceno	Submission (Keylock)	1	2:35
Lightweight 70 kg	Damien Brown	def.	Daron Cruickshank	Submission (Guillotine Choke)	1	4:10
Catchweight 51 kg	Miyuu Yamamoto	def.	Mika Nagano	Decision (Unanimous)	3	15:00
Featherweight 65 kg	Kazuyuki Miyata	def.	Erson Yamamoto	Submission (Hammerlock)	2	8:23
Lightweight 70 kg	Johnny Case	def.	Yusuke Yachi	TKO (Cut)	2	9:47
Catchweight 60 kg	Yuki Motoya	def.	Justin Scoggins	Submission (Teepee Choke)	1	3:28
Catchweight 59 kg	Ulka Sasaki	def.	Manel Kape	Decision (Unanimous)	3	15:00
Flyweight 57 kg	Justyna Haba	def.	Shinju Nozawa Auclair	Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)	2	8:41
Lightweight 70 kg	Tofiq Musaev	def.	Nobumitsu Osawa	TKO (Punches)	2	6:19

References

1. "Rizin FF Partners with FITE TV". sherdog.com.
2. "Sakakibara Revealed Plan for 2018". adcombat.com. 2018-01-01. Archived from the original on 2018-01-06. Retrieved 2018-01-05.
3. "Rizin Heisei's Last Yarennoka! and RIZIN 14 official results and post fight backstage interviews". fightbookmma.com.
4. "Floyd Mayweather dominates Tenshin Nasukawa in exhibition". japantimes.co.jp.
5. Raimondi, Marc (2018-02-13). "Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Ian McCall set for Rizin FF 9". mmafighting.com.
6. Skytte, Mike (2018-05-03). "Kanako Murata gets new opponent for RIZIN 10 after Zhang injures shoulder". mmasucka.com.
7. Carroll, Peter (2018-05-06). "RIZIN FF 10: Kyoji Horiguchi KOs Ian McCall in nine seconds". mmafighting.com.
8. Raimondi, Marc (2018-05-16). "Kyoji Horiguchi gets quick turnaround, faces TUF alum Hiromasa Ogikubo at Rizin 11". mmafighting.com.
9. Al-Shatti, Shaun (2018-05-22). "Mirko Cro Cop details extent of knee injury, targeted date for return". mmafighting.com.
10. Guilherme Cruz (July 12, 2018). "Rizin 12 headliner Bruno Carvalho injured, out of Yusuke Yachi fight". mmafighting.com.
11. Guilherme Cruz (June 28, 2018). "Angela Magana vs. Kanako Murata, Daron Cruickshank vs. Tom Santos official for upcoming Rizin cards". mmafighting.com.
12. Guilherme Cruz (August 24, 2018). "Rizin 13 card complete with Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Tenshin Nasukawa in kickboxing, Mirko Cro Cop's return". mmafighting.com.
13. Dan Rafael (December 6, 2018). "Floyd Mayweather: Exhibition will be 'nine minutes of entertainment'". espn.com.
14. Nicolas Atkin (January 2, 2019). "Floyd Mayweather v Tenshin Nasukawa 'fake'? Rigged or not, farcical fight spits in face of fans".
15. "Twitter accuses Floyd Mayweather of fixing fight against Tenshin Nasukawa". Fox Sports Asia. January 1, 2019.

External links

• http://www.rizinff.com/en/
• http://www.tapology.com/search?term=rizin&mainSearchFilter=events