2019 in Rizin Fighting Federation

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.

2019 in Rizin Fighting Federation
Information
First dateApril 21, 2019
Last dateDecember 31, 2019
Events
Total events6
Fights
Total fights79
Title fights6
Chronology
2018 in Rizin Fighting Federation 2019 in Rizin Fighting Federation 2020 in Rizin Fighting Federation

Rizin events are broadcast through a television agreement with Fuji Television. In North America and Europe, Rizin events are available via PPV on FITE TV.[1]

Background

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Nobuyuki Sakakibara announced that Rizin will do 6 events in 2019: April, June, July, August, October, and the usual December 31 show.

He also announced that they will do a lightweight Grand Prix this year. Bellator MMA CEO Scott Coker has announced that he will be sending Patricky Freire to participate in the opening round.

Rizin's Lightweight grand prix will begin on October 12 at the Osaka-jo Hall, with the four opening rounds bouts of the tournament bracket. The semifinals and finals will be held on Dec. 31, at Saitama Super Arena.

List of events

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# Event Date Venue Location Attendance
1 Rizin 15 - Yokohama April 21, 2019 Yokohama Arena   Yokohama, Japan 12,914
2 Rizin 16 - Kobe June 2, 2019 World Memorial Hall   Kobe, Japan 8,107
3 Rizin 17 - Saitama July 28, 2019 Saitama Super Arena   Saitama, Japan 16,930
4 Rizin 18 - Nagoya August 18, 2019 Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium   Nagoya, Japan 6,281
5 Rizin 19 - Osaka October 12, 2019 Edion Arena   Osaka, Japan 5,098
6 Rizin 20 - Saitama December 31, 2019 Saitama Super Arena   Saitama, Japan 29,315[2]

Title fights

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Title fights in 2019
# Weight Class Method Round Time Event Notes
1 Light Heavyweight 93 kg   Jiří Procházka def.   Muhammed Lawal TKO (Punches) 3 13:02 Rizin 15 For the inaugural Rizin Light Heavyweight Championship
2 Super Atomweight 49 kg   Ayaka Hamasaki (c) def.   Jinh Yu Frey Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00 Rizin 16 For the Rizin Super Atomweight Championship
3 Featherweight 57 kg   Tenshin Nasukawa def.   Martin Blanco KO (Knee to the Body) 2 5:19 Rizin 16 For the ISKA Featherweight Championship
4 Light Heavyweight 93 kg   Jiří Procházka (c) def.   C. B. Dollaway KO (Punches) 1 1:55 Rizin 20 For the Rizin Light Heavyweight Championship
5 Super Atomweight 49 kg   Seo Hee Ham def.   Ayaka Hamasaki (c) Decision (Split) 3 15:00 Rizin 20 For the Rizin Super Atomweight Championship
6 Bantamweight 61 kg   Manel Kape def.   Kai Asakura TKO (Punches) 2 5:38 Rizin 20 For the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship

Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix

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8-Man Lightweight Grand Prix Participant

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Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix bracket

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1st Round
Semifinals
Final
         
  Tofiq Musayev TKO
  Damien Brown 1R.
  Tofiq Musayev TKO
  Johnny Case 1R.
  Johnny Case TKO
  Roberto de Souza 1R.
  Tofiq Musayev UD
  Patricky Freire 3R.
  Patricky Freire TKO
  Tatsuya Kawajiri 1R.
  Patricky Freire TKO
  Luiz Gustavo 1R.
  Luiz Gustavo TKO
  Hiroto Uesako 1R.

Rizin 15 - Yokohama

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Rizin 15 - Yokohama
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateApril 21, 2019
VenueYokohama Arena
City  Yokohama, Japan

Rizin 15 - Yokohama was a Combat sport event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on April 21, 2019 at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan.

Background

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A light heavyweight bout between RIZIN top contender Jiří Procházka and former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight champion Muhammed Lawal will serve as the Rizin 15 - Yokohama main event. The bout will crown the inaugural RIZIN Light Heavyweight champion.[3]

Ulka Sasaki has been forced to withdraw from his schedule fight against Kai Asakura due to a visceral infection and Justin Scoggins has stepped in as a replacement.[4] Unfortunately, Scoggins has suffered a knee injury during training and has been unable to compete, that forced his fight against Kai Asakura to be cancelled.[5]

Shinju Nozawa-Auclair was supposed to face Saray Orozco. However, Nozawa-Auclair suffered an ankle injury during training and was forced to withdraw from the fight. Kanako Murata has stepped in on short notice against Orozco.[6]

Results

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Rizin 15
Weight Class Method Round T.Time Notes
Light Heavyweight 93 kg   Jiří Procházka def.   Muhammed Lawal TKO (Punches) 3 13:02 For the inaugural Rizin Light Heavyweight Championship
Catchweight 59 kg   Tenshin Nasukawa def.   Fritz Aldin Biagtan TKO (3 Knockdown Rule) 3 7:24 Kickboxing
Intermission
Catchweight 60 kg   Kyoji Horiguchi def.   Ben Nguyen TKO (Punches) 1 2:53
Catchweight 71 kg   Roberto de Souza def.   Satoru Kitaoka TKO (Punches) 2 8:56
Light Heavyweight 93 kg   Karl Albrektsson def.   Christiano Frohlich Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00
Catchweight 51 kg   Rena Kubota def.   Samantha Jean-Francois Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00
Catchweight 68 kg   Mikuru Asakura def.   Luiz Gustavo Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00
Flyweight 57 kg   Kana Watanabe def.   Justyna Haba Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00
Lightweight 70 kg   Damien Brown def.   Koji Takeda Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00
Flyweight 58 kg   Manel Kape def.   Seiichiro Ito TKO (Punches) 2 8:59
Flyweight 57 kg   Kanako Murata def.   Saray Orozco Submission (Von Flue choke) 2 7:12
Bantamweight 61 kg   Thalisson Gomes Ferreira def.   Taiga TKO (3 Knockdown Rule) 2 5:34 Kickboxing

[7]

Rizin 16 - Kobe

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Rizin 16 - Kobe
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateJune 2, 2019
VenueWorld Memorial Hall
City  Kobe, Japan

Rizin 16 - Kobe was a Combat sport event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on June 2, 2019 at the World Memorial Hall in Kobe, Japan.

Background

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ISKA Featherweight Ahmed Ferradji was scheduled to defend his title against Tenshin Nasukawa at RIZIN 16, but Ferradji withdrew from the scheduled fight. As a result, ISKA has stripped the title from Ferradji and ISKA Bantamweight Champion Martin Blanco has stepped in on short notice to face Nasukawa for the vacant ISKA Featherweight World Title.[8]

Kizaemon Saiga was scheduled to face Kunitaka Fujiwara at RIZIN 16, but was not medically cleared for the event due to vision issues. Stepping in on a few days' notice to fight Fujiwara was the former K-1 Krush champion Ryuji Horio.[9]

Results

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Rizin 16
Weight Class Method Round T.Time Notes
Featherweight 57 kg   Tenshin Nasukawa def.   Martin Blanco KO (Knee to the Body) 2 5:19 For the ISKA Featherweight Championship
Super Atomweight 49 kg   Ayaka Hamasaki (c) def.   Jinh Yu Frey Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00 For the Rizin Super Atomweight Championship
Super Atomweight 49 kg   Miyuu Yamamoto def.   Kanna Asakura Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00
Intermission
Heavyweight 120 kg   Jake Heun def.   Roque Martinez Decision (Split) 3 15:00
Flyweight 57 kg   Yusaku Nakamura def.   Topnoi Thanongsaklek Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00
Lightweight 71 kg   Tofiq Musayev def.   Daron Cruickshank Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00
Intermission
Bantamweight 61 kg   Mamoru Uoi def.   Kana Hayatt TKO (Punches and Soccer Kicks) 3 14:32
Catchweight 59 kg   Ryuji Horio def.   Kunitaka Fujiwara Decision (Unanimous) 3 9:00 Kickboxing
Bantamweight 61 kg   Erson Yamamoto def.   Tim Eschtruth KO (Elbow and Punches) 1 2:04
Catchweight 63 kg   Taiju Shiratori def.   Hiroto Yamaguchi Decision (Unanimous) 3 9:00 Kickboxing
Catchweight 59 kg   Takaki Soya def.   Namiki Kawahara KO (Punch and Soccer Kick) 1 4:05
Catchweight 60 kg   Kan Nakamura def.   Itto KO (Head Kick) 2 3:18 Kickboxing
Catchweight 56 kg   Seiki Ueyama def.   Kengo TKO (3 Knockdown Rule) 1 2:42 Kickboxing
Catchweight 69 kg   Yuya def.   Yuki Tanaka TKO (3 Knockdown Rule) 1 2:45 Kickboxing

Rizin 17 - Saitama

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Rizin 17 - Saitama
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateJuly 28, 2019
VenueSaitama Super Arena
City  Saitama, Japan

Rizin 17 - Saitama was a Combat sport event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on July 28, 2019 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Background

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Daiki Watabe was due to fight Kevin Ross in a kickboxing bout, but the American fighter withdrew due to a hand injury. Watabe instead faced the Bolivian fighter Hideki, who stepped in on 3 weeks notice for this encounter.[10]

Results

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Rizin 17
Weight Class Method Round T.Time Notes
Lightweight 70 kg   Mikuru Asakura def.   Yusuke Yachi Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00
Bantamweight 61 kg   Shintaro Ishiwatari def.   Ulka Sasaki Submission (North-South Choke 2 8:57
Bantamweight 61 kg   Hiromasa Ougikubo def.   Yuki Motoya Decision (Split) 3 15:00
Light Heavyweight 93 kg   Ivan Shtyrkov def.   Hoon Kim TKO (Punches) 2 9:05
Catchweight 62 kg   Taiga def.   Hikaru Machida Decision (Unanimous) 3 9:00 Kickboxing
Intermission
Lightweight 71 kg   Johnny Case def.   Satoru Kitaoka TKO (Retirement) 1 5:00 Lightweight GP Qualifying Round
Lightweight 71 kg   Tatsuya Kawajiri def.   Ali Abdulkhalikov Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00 Lightweight GP Qualifying Round
Lightweight 71 kg   Roberto de Souza def.   Mizuto Hirota KO (Punches) 1 3:04 Lightweight GP Qualifying Round
Light Heavyweight 93 kg   Jake Heun def.   Vitaly Shemetov TKO (Cut) 3 12:20
Super Atomweight 49 kg   Seo Hee Ham def.   Tomo Maesawa TKO (Knees) 1 3:12
Catchweight 63 kg   Stephanie Egger def.   Reina Miura Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00
Catchweight 67 kg   Hideki def.   Daiki Watabe Decision (Majority) 3 9:00 Kickboxing

Rizin 18 - Nagoya

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Rizin 18 - Nagoya
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateAugust 18, 2019
VenueAichi Prefectural Gymnasium
City  Nagoya, Japan

Rizin 18 - Nagoya was a Combat sport event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on August 18, 2019 at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, Japan.

Background

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Marcos de Souza, was set to fight at RIZIN 18, but his debut was pushed back because of an injury.[11]

Kazuma Sone was expected to face Erson Yamamoto, But plans have changed for undisclosed reasons. That forced the fight to be cancelled. Justin Scoggins has stepped in as a replacement.

Results

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Rizin 18
Weight Class Method Round T.Time Notes
Bantamweight 61 kg   Kai Asakura def.   Kyoji Horiguchi KO (Punches) 1 1:07
Super Atomweight 49 kg   Ayaka Hamasaki def.   Suwanan Boonsorn Submission (Armbar) 1 3:20
Bantamweight 61 kg   Victor Henry def.   Trent Girdham Submission (Inverted Triangle Choke) 3 12:14
Bantamweight 61 kg   Manel Kape def.   Takeya Mizugaki KO (punch) 2 6:35
Catchweight 75 kg   Danilo Zanolini def.   John Wayne Parr Decision (Split) 3 9:00 Kickboxing
Intermission
Super Atomweight 49 kg   Kanna Asakura def.   Alesha Zappitella Decision (Split) 3 15:00
Strawweight 53 kg   Haruo Ochi vs.   Jarred Brooks No Contest (Accidental Headbutt) 1 0:11
Lightweight 71 kg   Hiroto Uesako def.   Yves Landu TKO (Punches) 2 8:45 Lightweight GP Qualifying Round
Bantamweight 61 kg   Justin Scoggins def.   Kazuma Sone Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00
Catchweight 59 kg   Takaki Soya def.   Yutaro Muramoto TKO (Punches) 2 6:27
Super Atomweight 49 kg   Ai Shimizu def.   Tabatha Watkins Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00
Strawweight 53 kg   Kazuki Osaki def.   Shota Takiya Decision (Unanimous) 3 9:00 Kickboxing
Flyweight 57 kg   Ryuji Horio def.   Uchu Sakurai Decision (Unanimous) 3 9:00 Kickboxing

Rizin 19 - Osaka

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Rizin 19 - Osaka
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateOctober 12, 2019
VenueEdion Arena
City  Osaka, Japan

Rizin 19 - Osaka was a Combat sport event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on October 12, 2019 at the Edion Arena in Osaka, Japan.

Background

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Rena Kubota's original opponent, Shawna Ram suffered a concussion during training. Alexandra Alvare steps in to face Kubota.[12]

Shintaro Matsukura originally supposed to face Takuma Konishi but he suffered an eye injury. His teammate, Hiroya, will be the replacement to face Konishi.

Results

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Rizin 19
Weight Class Method Round T.Time Notes
Catchweight 100 kg   Jiří Procházka def.   Fábio Maldonado TKO (Punches) 1 1:49
Bantamweight 61 kg   Kai Asakura def.   Ulka Sasaki TKO (Doctor Stoppage) 1 0:54
Super Atomweight 49 kg   Seo Hee Ham def.   Miyuu Yamamoto TKO (Punches) 2 9:42
Catchweight 51 kg   Rena Kubota def.   Alexandra Alvare TKO (Punches) 1 0:20
Intermission
Lightweight 71 kg   Johnny Case def.   Roberto de Souza TKO (Punches) 1 1:15 Lightweight Grand Prix Quarter-Finals
Lightweight 71 kg   Patricky Freire def.   Tatsuya Kawajiri TKO (Knee and Punches) 1 1:10 Lightweight Grand Prix Quarter-Finals
Lightweight 71 kg   Luiz Gustavo def.   Hiroto Uesako TKO (Doctor Stoppage) 1 3:55 Lightweight Grand Prix Quarter-Finals
Lightweight 71 kg   Tofiq Musayev def.   Damien Brown TKO (Punches) 1 4:14 Lightweight Grand Prix Quarter-Finals
Welterweight 77 kg   Keita Nakamura def.   Marcos de Souza TKO (Punches) 1 1:18
Catchweight 62 kg   Taiju Shiratori def.   Taiga Decision (Unanimous) 3 9:00 Kickboxing
Welterweight 77 kg   Takuma Konishi def.   Hiroya TKO (Knee) 1 1:20 Kickboxing
Openweight   Shoma Shibisai def.   Chang Hee Kim Submission (Kimura) 1 1:09
Catchweight 56 kg   Seiki Ueyama def.   Taisei Umei Decision (Unanimous) 3 9:00 Kickboxing

Rizin 20 - Saitama

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Rizin 20 - Saitama
PromotionRizin Fighting Federation
DateDecember 31, 2019
VenueSaitama Super Arena
City  Saitama, Japan

Rizin 20 - Saitama was a Combat sport event by Rizin Fighting Federation that took place on December 31, 2019 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Background

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Kyoji Horiguchi was scheduled to defend his RIZIN Bantamweight Championship against Kai Asakura on this card. However, Horoguchi pulled out of the fight in mid-November citing a knee injury that is expected to keep him out of action for approximately 10 – 12 months. In turn, his bantamweight title has been vacated.[13]

Results

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Rizin 20
Weight Class Method Round T.Time Notes
Bantamweight 61 kg   Manel Kape def.   Kai Asakura TKO (Punches) 2 5:38 For the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship
Catchweight 56 kg   Tenshin Nasukawa def.   Rui Ebata TKO (3 Knockdown Rule) 1 2:44 Kickboxing
Super Atomweight 49 kg   Seo Hee Ham def.   Ayaka Hamasaki (c) Decision (Split) 3 15:00 For the Rizin Super Atomweight Championship
Featherweight 66 kg   Mikuru Asakura def.   John Teixeira Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00
Catchweight 50.8 kg   Rena Kubota def.   Lindsey VanZandt TKO (Corner Stopage) 3 14:42
Intermission
Lightweight 71 kg   Tofiq Musayev def.   Patricky Freire Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00 Lightweight Grand Prix Final
Light Heavyweight 93 kg   Jiří Procházka (c) def.   C. B. Dollaway KO (Punches) 1 1:55 For the Rizin Light Heavyweight Championship
Light Heavyweight 93 kg   Simon Biyong def.   Vitaly Shemetov TKO (Elbows and Punches) 2 0:58
Bantamweight 61 kg   Hiromasa Ougikubo def.   Shintaro Ishiwatari Decision (Split) 3 15:00
Intermission
Catchweight 105 kg   Jake Heun def.   Satoshi Ishii TKO (Punches) 1 1:12
Bantamweight 61 kg   Patchy Mix def.   Yuki Motoya Submission (Guillotine Choke) 1 1:36
Catchweight 62 kg   Taiju Shiratori def.   Taiga TKO (Cut) 2 6:00 Kickboxing
Super Atomweight 49 kg   Miyuu Yamamoto def.   Suwanan Boonsorn Decision (Unanimous) 3 15:00
Lightweight 71 kg   Patricky Freire def.   Luiz Gustavo TKO (Punches and Soccer Kick) 1 0:28 Lightweight Grand Prix Semi-Finals
Lightweight 71 kg   Tofiq Musayev def.   Johnny Case TKO (Punches) 1 2:46 Lightweight Grand Prix Semi-Finals

References

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  1. ^ "Rizin FF Partners with FITE TV". sherdog.com.
  2. ^ "Bruno Massami on Twitter 31-12-2019". gazetaesportiva.com.
  3. ^ "Scott Coker explains 'King Mo' Lawal's move to Rizin FF for Jiri Prochazka title rematch". mmajunkie.com. 31 January 2019.
  4. ^ "Rizin 15 fight roundup: Justin Scoggins replaces Ulka Sasaki". mmafighting.com. 3 April 2019.
  5. ^ "Justin Scoggins Suffers Knee Injury, Rizin 15 Bout vs. Kai Asakura Canceled". sherdog.com.
  6. ^ "RIZIN 15 bout order announced, Kanako Murata replaces Shinju on short-notice". mmasucka.com. 17 April 2019.
  7. ^ "Rizin FF 15 results and video: Prochazka TKO's King Mo to win title, Horiguchi bombs on Nguyen". bloodyelbow.com.
  8. ^ "Kizaemon Saiga Out of Rizin 16, Replaced by Ryuji Horio against Kunitaka". mmafighting.com. 27 May 2019.
  9. ^ "Tenshin Nasukawa gets new opponent for Rizin 16". sherdog.com.
  10. ^ "RIZIN debuts of Kevin Ross, Marcos de Souza postponed". thebodylockmma.com. 10 July 2019.
  11. ^ "RIZIN debuts of Kevin Ross, Marcos de Souza postponed". thebodylockmma.com. 10 July 2019.
  12. ^ "Rena Kubota gets new opponent for Rizin 19". mmafighting.com. 7 October 2019.
  13. ^ Nolan King (2019-11-14). "Kyoji Horiguchi withdraws from Rizin FF 20 due to knee injury, subsequently vacates title". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
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