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 dateMay 6, 2018
Last dateDecember 31, 2018
Events
Total events6
Fights
Total fights66
Title fights2
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
# Event Date Venue Location Attendance
1 Rizin 10 - Fukuoka May 6, 2018 Marine Messe Fukuoka Fukuoka, Japan 7,910
2 Rizin 11 - Saitama July 29, 2018 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 17,912
3 Rizin 12 - Aichi - Ken August 12, 2018 Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium Nagoya, Japan 5,567
4 Rizin 13 - Saitama September 30, 2018 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 27,208
5 Rizin - Heisei's Last Yarennoka December 31, 2018 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 7,498[3]
6 Rizin 14 - Saitama December 31, 2018 Saitama Super Arena Saitama, Japan 29,105[4]

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
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateMay 6, 2018
VenueMarine 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
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateJuly 29, 2018
VenueSaitama 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
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateAugust 12, 2018
VenueAichi 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
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateSeptember 30, 2018
VenueSaitama 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
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateDecember 31, 2018
VenueSaitama 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
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateDecember 31, 2018
VenueSaitama 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.
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