Mere hours after RIZIN: Heisei’s Last Yarennnoka!, the New Year’s Eve spectacle that was RIZIN 14 offered up Bellator champ Darrion Caldwell facing Kyoji Horiguchi for RIZIN’s bantamweight title, in an interesting partnership between two promotions who had collaborated in the past, but not to such an extent.

For those in the west, that was the main event. However, the much ballyhooed exhibition boxing match between kickboxing wunderkind Tenshin Nasukawa and forty-something Floyd Mayweather Jr. was the real headliner. That, however, was left off the North American PPV broadcast on FITE.tv, no doubt at the behest of Mayweather, who wouldn’t want to hurt his numbers if western fans scoffed at paying top dollar for a three round sparring session.

Still, the fact that RIZIN was even able to land Mayweather remains impressive, and garnered attention from major news networks around the world. Could Tenshin pull off a surprise in the nine minutes allotted to them?

Mika Nagano vs. Miyuu Yamamoto

After witnessing her son fall to a rarely seen hammerlock submission in the final fight of the RIZIN 14 prelims, Miyuu Yamamoto opened up the main card. And she did so in style, dropping a number of heavy blows on opponent Mika Nagano early. On the ground, she trapped an arm, controlled, and finished the first frame strong. The second saw her work from guard, again controlling the bout.

In the end, Yamamoto walks away with a unanimous decision victory after dominating Nagano all three rounds. Yamamoto showed improved patience and grappling defense. Her superior striking forced Nagano to take several ill-timed shots which lead to brutal ground and pound for most of the fight.

Miyuu Yamamoto def. Mika Nagano by unanimous decision

Daron Cruickshank vs. Damien Brown

Daron Cruickshank was his usual aggressive self in the opening round against Damien Brown. Spinngin attacks, knees. Brown was more than happy to score a few knees of his own; later in the frame a pair of kicks put Brown on the ground briefly. However, things quickly took a turn for the worse for Cruickshank. Brown caught Cruickshank with a guillotine during a takedown. It was deep, and before long, Cruickshank was forced to tap.

Post-fight, Brown called for a shot at the lightweight grand prix, or former UFC star Takanori Gomi.

Damien Brown def. Daron Cruickshank by submission (guillotine choke), Round 1

Gabi Garcia vs. Barbara Nepomuceno

The size advantage was clear in Garcia vs. Nepomuceno, with Garcia dwarfing her opponent. That, despite Nepomuceno being one of her larger foes. While the RIZIN newcomer would get off a few overhand rights early, the power advantage allowed Garcia to get the fight to the ground. A clinch led to a throw, and once down, Garcia moved to side control then grabbed an arm. With her corner yelling “break it” it was as good as over.

https://twitter.com/Jolassanda/status/1079687455761223680

After the fight ended Shinobu Kandori stormed the ring, screaming at Garcia. The pair were previously scheduled to fight, with Kandori being injured prior to their first booking, at Garcia missing weight by a humiliating twenty-eight pounds at their second. Could Kandori, who is 54 years old, face Garcia next?

Only in Japan.

Gabi Garcia def. Barbara Nepomuceno by submission (americana), Round 1

Brandon Halsey vs. Jiri Prochazka

In a fight that saw the ring ropes in play more than once, and Brandon Halsey fall out of the ring and hit the mat, only to receive a yellow card, it was Jiri Prochazka pulling off a first round TKO for the win. That, almost immediately after a close call that saw Halsey sneak in a rear-naked choke attempt. Prochazka was looking for a flying knee early in the fight, while Halsey stayed in it early but soon began to gas, especially toward the final sequence that saw him roll over and cover up while Prochazka landed some nasty strikes that slipped through his defenses.

"Hey Brandon, suck this shit up right now." #RIZIN14 pic.twitter.com/HZ5PMakBFg

— inxxane (@inxxane) December 31, 2018

Prochazka called out Mirko Cro-Cop after the fight.

Jiri Prochazka def. Brandon Halsey by TKO, Round 1

Kanna Asakura vs. Ayaka Hamasaki

After what felt like the longest intermission in history, RIZIN 14 resumed, with Kanna Asakura looking to claim the super atomweight title against Ayaka Hamasaki. It was Hamasaki connecting first, mixing in some leg kicks as well. An eye poke halted her attack, however. After a break to allow Hamasaki some time to adjust to a visibly damaged eye, they went right back at it with a flurry of strikes in an exchange. A throw gave Hamasaki the upper hand on the ground, though Asakura would escape and fire off a kick. More quick striking exchanges as the two fighters went right after it.

Hamasaki landed a knee to start the second, and was in control the first half of the round. Asakura would shoot for a takedown near the halfway point only to be stuffed. Hamasaki would then get the fight to the ground with a throw, and land in side control. She set up the arm bar with ease, and using one foot to push off of Aakura, who was clutching her hands together for dear life. Once her grip was broken, Hamasaki wrenched the limb. Asakura tried to spin out, but was trapped, and forced to tap! The former Invicta FC atomweight title had a new crown.

Ayaka Hamasaki def. Kanna Asakura by submission (arm-bar), Round 2  – for RIZIN FF women’s super atomweight title

Darrion Caldwell vs. Kyoji Horiguchi

A champ vs. champ battle between Bellator’s Darrion Caldwell and RIZIN’s Kyoji Horiguchi topped the card (prior to Floyd Mayweather, reportedly late getting to the arena). Caldwell had the size and reach advantage. Not to mention a power advantage, nearly putting Horiguchi through the ropes early. Caldwell was able to fire off some kicks, but it was Horiguchi getting his attention with a right hand. A takedown attempt saw Caldwell looking to isolate an arm but the ropes got in the way. A late knockdown by a kick from Horiguchi may have secured him the round.

Caldwell landed an early takedown in the second, with Horiguchi working his way back up just to be taken down again. The story of the round was the control time from Caldwell, as Horiguchi spent far too much time with Caldwell keeping him on the ground.

In the third (and final round in this case despite it being a title fight) Horiguchi would be taken down again, with Caldwell shooting under a punch from the Japanese fighter. Horiguchi would then lock in a guillotine, and force the tap in a flash!

Kyoji Horiguchi def. Darrion Caldwell by submission (guillotine choke), Round 3

Tenshin Nasukawa vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.

After what felt like an eternity, Japanese kickboxing star Tenshin Nasukawa and Floyd Mayweather finally faced off in the main event of the evening. From the outset, Mayweather was toying with the 20-year old. Smiling as he bobbed and moved. Nasukawa fired off a punch, but Mayweather had the clear size, power, and speed advantage. Before long, Mayweather had knocked Nasukawa down. He staggered up, but was knocked down again moments later. Stumbling, wobbly on his legs, a third knockdown, the check hook doing it, dropped Nasukawa a third time.

After three knockdowns in two minutes, Nasukawa’s corner had seen enough, and threw in the towel.

End result: Basically Floyd being Floyd but with a smaller opponent. After the fight Mayweather reiterated that he was retired, the fight would go on neither man’s record, and that Tenshin was a great champion.

RIZIN 14 Main Card Results:

Floyd Mayweather Jr. def. Tenshin Nasukawa by TKO, Round 1  – exhibition boxing match
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Darrion Caldwell by submission (guillotine choke), Round 3 – for RIZIN FF bantamweight title
Ayaka Hamasaki def. Kanna Asakura by submission (arm-bar), Round 2  – for RIZIN FF women’s super atomweight title
Jiri Prochazka def. Brandon Halsey by TKO, Round 1
Gabi Garcia def. Barbara Nepomuceno by submission (americana), Round 1
Damien Brown def. Daron Cruickshank by submission (guillotine choke), Round 1
Miyuu Yamamoto def. Mika Nagano by unanimous decision

Preliminary Card:

Kazuyuki Miyata def. Erson Yamamoto by submission (hammerlock), Round 2
Johnny Case def. Yusuke Yachi by TKO (doctor’s stoppage), Round 2
Yuki Motoya def. Justin Scoggins by submission (modified triangle), Round 1
Ulka Sasaki def. Manel Kape by unanimous decision
Justyna Zofia Haba def. Shinju Nozawa-Auclair by technical submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2
Tofik Musaev def. Nobumitsu Osawa by TKO, Round 2
Samantha Jean-Francois vs. Rena Kubota – cancelled due to Kubota illness

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Once again, RIZIN will hold two New Year’s Eve events spaced over two days beginning December 29th at 1 AM EST. The first card will feature fighters like UFC vets Ian McCall and Cindy Dandois. Dandois will be fighting the very popular King Reina, while McCall will be participating in the Bantamweight Grand Prix. Another featured bout that night has Gabi Garcia fighting retired pro wrestler Shinobu Kandori. However, that bout is in danger of being canceled with Garci coming in vastly over the contracted weight allotment.

In a press release distributed Thursday, McCall said that he’s “the healthiest physically and mentally than I have ever been in the past three years.” He then turned up the heat on opponent Manel Kape. “Manel is an immature child and needs to be taught a lesson” said Uncle Creepy. Referring to his sadistic side, he added that “I am going to put my heel in his face, break his face. He’s no good for the sport. He says things… trash talk is one thing, but what he says is inappropriate, so I’m gonna hurt him real bad.”

A much more reserved Kyoji Horiguchi, meanwhile, said of his opening round foe that “Gabriel Oliveira is a south paw with a good left cross. But I have worked with taller, lankier opponents so I will be ready.” Horiguchi also stated a preference for meeting McCall in the semi-finals.

More than just a bantamweight grand prix

The Second night of fights will be on December 31st beginning at 1 AM. This card will have bouts from three different tournaments. We’ll see the completion of the Bantamweight tournament, a one night Super Atomweight GP, and a -57kg kickboxing GP. Mirko Cro-cop continues to be one of the promotion’s main draws. He’ll be there as well, in something of a surprise addition. The Pride and UFC vet will be facing Tsuyoshi Kosaka on the card. Kosaka has competed in many promotions, including Rings, Pride, Pancrase, and NJPW. Yes, he has two legitimate fights under a pro wrestling promotion.

Additionally, Takanori Gomi will be making his RIZIN debut against Yusuke Yachi.

The Super Atomweight tournament will definitely draw a live audience because it features the promotion’s most promoted fighter; Rena Kubota. She’s the obvious favorite for this tournament, but they were smart to put her and Maria Oliveira in opposite brackets. Oliveira has the best shot at beating Kubota, but you don’t want your most exciting fighting of the tournament to be the first one.

The one night kickboxing tournament will probably have the most exciting finishes of the two card event. And the fighter to look out for is Tenshin Nasukawa. Nasukawa is only 19 years old and has one of the most impressive records in combat sports. 20-0 professional kickboxing record with with 16 knockouts. Undefeated in 4 MMA bouts with only one going to decision. And an amatuer kickboxing record of 99-5-1. He began his fighting career when most kids his age were in middle school. He has some of the most spectacular finishes in the RIZIN’s short history and will certainly put on a show to close out the year. Don’t miss it.

Where to watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfQZu927Caw

You can use this link to purchase each RIZIN World Grand Prix 2017 fight card stream for $20 bucks or buy both nights for $30. The cards are offered as online PPVs by Fite.tv

The post RIZIN World Grand Prix 2017: Preview, Where To Watch and More appeared first on Cageside Press.

On Wednesday, Japanese MMA promotion RIZIN announced that BJJ expert Gabi Garcia has once again been booked against Shinobu Kandori. This is not a repeat from last year. After a proposed 2016 bout fell through, RIZIN has apparently decided to give it another go.

Kandori, a 53-year old former pro wrestler and politician, was set to meet Garcia on the card which wound up witnessing Mirko Cro-Cop winning the promotion’s Openweight Grand Prix. However, while training for the fight, Kandori suffered a rib injury. She was eventually replaced by Yumiko Hotta. Hotta, a fellow pro wrestler, was 49 years old at the time. Now, Kandori gets another crack at Garcia, a dominant force in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu with only a handful of losses (including one to notable MMA prospect Mackenzie Dern).

Garcia has had a strange 2017 thus far, with both an MMA bout and shootboxing fight ending in No Contests. In July, at the RIZIN World Grand Prix 2017 Opening Round card, she faced Oksana Gagloeva, only to have the bout come to a premature end after an accidental eye poke on Gagloeva. That came just weeks after Garcia appeared at the Shoot Boxing Girl’s S-Cup 2017. There, her bout against Megumi Yabushita was halted after Garcia connected with illegal soccer kicks.

Garcia (4–0 (1)), who walks around north of 200lbs, will have the advantage in pretty much all areas over Kandori (4-1), who has not fought in MMA since 2000. The fight is being contested at a 95kb (209.439lb) catchweight. A former judoka, Kandori’s first three MMA bouts came on a single night in 1995, under the Ladies Legend Pro Wrestling Banner. That night, she made it to the finals of the promotion’s Ultimate L-1 Tournament (a legit MMA contest), winning her first two bouts by submission before losing in the finals to Svetlana Goundarenko, a European Judo champion who outweighed her by roughly 100lbs.

Three years later, Kandori would face Goundarenko again. At LLPW – Ultimate L-1 Challenge in 1998, she wound avenging her one and only professional loss. She would win her final MMA fight in 2000 against Yumiko Hotta. All four of her professional wins came via submission.

RIZIN FF’s World Grand Prix 2017 Second Round takes place December 29 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, just outside Tokyo.

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The win marked Horiguchi’s second since leaving the UFC earlier this year, despite being on a three-fight win streak in the promotion at the time. He’s now a perfect 5-0 since losing to flyweight king Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson back at UFC 186 in April 2015. He also moved forward in the bantamweight Grand Prix, which also saw Takafumi Otsuka and Khalid Taha score victories.

Anthony Birchak, who was released from the UFC in February despite coming off a win, fell to 0-2 since joining RIZIN after dropping a split decision to Otsuka. Birchak went 2-2 over the course of his brief UFC run, including scoring a KO of bantamweight title challenger Joe Soto.

In another notable bout on the RIZIN FF 6 card, Brazilian monster Gabi Garcia saw her bout end in a no contest for the second straight fight, and second time in the month of July. An eye poke off the first exchange against Oksana Gagloeva resulted in Gagloeva being unable to continue, with the fight waved off just 16 seconds in. That result comes after a No Contest was ruled Garcia’s kickboxing debut against Megumi Yabushita earlier this month due to illegal soccer kicks.

https://twitter.com/Jonnyboy_6969/status/891591528438693889

In heavyweight action, Amir Aliakbari defeated American Tyler King by TKO, making short work of his opponent and sending him crashing into the ropes at 1:39 of the first round.

RIZIN World Grand Prix 2017 Opening Round Results:

Kyoji Horiguchi def. Hideo Tokoro by KO (punches), Round 1, 3:49 Bantamweight Grand-Prix 1st Round
Amir Aliakbari def. Tyler King by TKO (punches), Round 1, 1:39
Gabrielle Garcia vs. Oksana Gagloeva ended in a No Contest (eye poke), Round 1, 0:16
Reina Miura def. Lei’D Tapa by unanimous decision
Tenshin Nasukawa def. Kizaemon Saiga by KO (punch), Round 1, 1:36 Mixed Rules
Yusuke Yachi def. Satoru Kitaoka by TKO (Punches), Round 2, 4:46
Miyuu Yamamoto def. Cassie Robb by unanimous decision
Takafumi Otsuka def. Anthony Birchak by split decision Bantamweight Grand-Prix 1st Round
Khalid Taha def. Keita Ishibashi by KO (Grounded Knees and Punches), Round 1, 4:51 Bantamweight Grand-Prix 1st Round
Shinju Nozawa-Auclair def. Sheena Brandenburg by submission (arm bar), Round 1, 1:40
Karl Abrektsson def. Teodoras Aukstuolis by submission (Arm-Triangle Choke), Round 1, 8:02

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