RIZIN FF has announced a trio of fights for July’s RIZIN 17 card. Among them, ROAD FC atomweight champ Seo Hee Ham will take on Japan’s own Tomo Maesawa. The bout once again sees RIZIN sharing talent with a competing organization, though it’s unclear if any RIZIN fighters might eventually go back the other way.

Also booked for RIZIN 17 is BJJ star Roberto Satoshi, who is set to face Mizuto Hirota. Jake Heun, meanwhile, has been pitted up against Vitaly Shemetov.

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‟真夏の男祭り”
RIZIN.17 チケット好評発売中！！
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全国のプレイガイド、コンビニエンスストアでチケットが発売中です。熱き闘いを会場でご観戦下さい。

🏳会場：さいたまスーパーアリーナ
📅日時：7/28(日)12:30開場 / 14:00開始
🎟チケット：https://t.co/lMEiElqfjr#RIZINFF #RIZIN17 pic.twitter.com/k9QAH146Dq

— RIZIN FF OFFICIAL (@rizin_PR) June 22, 2019

It’s the reigning ROAD FC champ Ham (20-8) who is likely to turn heads however. The South Korean star has won all three of her fights since leaving the UFC, where she competed at strawweight. Returning to her natural weight class of atomweight, the former DEEP Jewels champion is 3-0, with a win over current Invicta FC champ Jinh Yu Frey.

Tomo Maesawa (12-9) has competed mainly for DEEP Jewels throughout her career. She’ll enter the fight off a loss, and was most recently competing in the grappling realm. A former DEEP title holder herself, she’ll be making her RIZIN debut.

Satoshi (8-0) made his first appearance back in August, earning a win against Satoru Kitaoka, a tenured veteran of mixed martial arts. He’ll get another solid test against Hirota (18-10-2), who has had two runs in the UFC to date.

Finally, Jake Heun (13-9) will look to build off his win over Roque Martinez and make it two in a row against Shemetov (23-9, 1NC). ‘The Dancing Russian’ has not lost a fight since 2010, and has won 10 straight (with an eleventh fight, his most recent, ending in a no contest). However, he has not competed since 2017.

RIZIN 17 takes place July 28 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, just a short train ride outside Tokyo.

The post Seo Hee Ham, ROAD FC Atomweight Champ, Will Appear at RIZIN 17 appeared first on Cageside Press.

As the saying goes, it’s better to have bad luck than no luck at all. Whether or not you agree, perhaps that little bit of wisdom shouldn’t be applied to combat sports at all. For whatever reason, some fighters tend to have better luck than others when it comes to opponents pulling out of fights, and they themselves having to do the same. Enter UFC featherweight Charles Rosa. ‘Boston Strong’ is ready to put his recent string of bad luck behind him, post-haste.

Cageside Press had a chance to speak with the proud Bostonian about getting through his recent rough patch, the new UFC 3 video game, and more.

Keeping a positive mental outlook in MMA in not an option, it’s mandatory. This is something that Rosa is very familiar with. “Yea, I was supposed to fight [Mizuto] Hirota in Japan, but he had weight issues. Luckily the UFC took care of me, its not cheap flying your family out to Japan.”

Rosa added, “Its not just about the money, I was bummed. I came all the way to Japan, I wanted that fight. Even when he was five pounds over [weight] I still said yes.”

The string of bad luck didn’t stop there, “The UFC was going to give me a quick turnaround [fight],” said Rosa. “But I was having some muscle atrophy problems in my upper body, turned out I had some neck issues I had to get taken care of, so there’s two months.”

All bad things come in threes. “Then I had to pull out of my fight with [Dan] Ige,” Rosa explained. “I was upset, this was going to be the third time I won in Boston, at the Garden. That was the first time I ever had to pull out of a fight because of an injury.”

Again, a positive mental outlook goes along way. That run of bad luck may have broken lesser fighters. How did Rosa manage to get through the tough times? “I actually played a lot of UFC 3,” Rosa half-joked.

“That’s something that kept me sane, I’m a new character in the new UFC game that just came out February 2, so when I was laid up with the injury and I could only do real light work outs I got mine in. It’s kind of like training your mind for fighting,” Rosa said.

Whether he is training his mind or training his body, ‘Boston Strong’ is back and he is ready to compete, but does he have an opponent in mind? “I’d love another fight with [Shane] Burgos,” Rosa said quickly.

“I got the judge’s score cards after that fight. I was winning the first two rounds, and probably the third [round] too,” said Rosa. He added that “I got caught in the third [round], I was getting back to my feet, and then the ref jumps in and the fight is over. I was unbelievably upset.”

“That fight was in New York, I still have my conspiracy theories,” Rosa added.

Burgos has turned out to be a pretty good fighter in his own right, so a rematch between these two would be welcome to any fan of the sport no doubt.

While it’s not clear what the immediate future holds for ‘Boston Strong’, the run of bad luck is in his past, and he is ready to go now. A healthy and ready to go Charles Rosa is a scary fighter. Just ask any UFC 3 video gamer!

The post UFC Featherweight Charles Rosa: ‘Boston Strong’ Says “I Still Have My Conspiracy Theories” About Burgos Fight appeared first on Cageside Press.

UFC 221 took place Saturday night in Perth, Australia at the Perth Arena (that’s Sunday morning local time). The event was capped by a last-minute interim title fight between Luke Rockhold, originally scheduled to face middleweight champ Robert Whittaker, and Yoel Romero. The card wound up with a curve ball thrown at it Friday, however, as Romero failed to make weight for the short notice fight.

The end result, only Rockhold could claim the interim title with a win. That said, it mattered little to the fighters on the preliminary card, who were getting to the cage much, much earlier than the main event. Among those appearing on the UFC 221 Fight Pass prelims were Ross Pearson and Mizuto Hirtoa, in the lightweight featured preliminary bout. ‘The Real Deal’ was looking to snap a four-fight losing streak against the Japanese fighter, who was himself coming off a loss to Alexander Volkanovski.

Also on the early prelims on UFC Fight Pass, Hirota’s countryman Teruto Ishihara, training with Urijah Faber’s Team Alpha Male, took on Mexico’s Jose Quinonez. Opening the action, meanwhile, was a welterweight scrap between New Zealand’s Luke Jumeau and Japan’s Daichi Abe.

The action kicks off at 6:30 PM ET exclusively on UFC Fight Pass — check back come fight time for full results and a recap! Also check out our UFC 221 Live Stream & Results page!

Luke Jumeau vs. Daichi Abe

At welterweight, ‘The Jedi’ took on Darth… make that Daichi Abe to kick off the UFC Perth card. A bit of back-and-forth action opened the affair, with Japan’s Abe a little more aggressive. He utilized a lead leg kick, but a left hand by Jumeau knocked Abe down and quickly changed the pace. Daichi would later land a right off a leg kick that was caught by Jumeau, doing some damage of his own. Moments later another right hand landed for Abe, and he began firing off combinations with Jumeau covering up with his back against the cage. Jumeau survived the swarm, but a right counter later dropped him, with Abe firing off hammer fists. Somehow, the dropped Jumeau made it back to his feet, only to take more damage and a big knee. It was back and forth from there, with the biggest surprise being Jumeau surviving the round.

Round two saw a slightly more reserved pace early. Jumeau connected with a solid right over the top a number of times, while Abe was mixing in kicks, uppercuts, and a number of other strikes. Abe, however, was looking a little tired by the midway point of the round. Abe switched to a southpaw stance, while Jumeau looked for a way around the Japanese fighter’s counter-punches. The second, however, was a much stronger round for ‘The Jedi.’

The final sound saw Abe on the attack early with a body kick. A second one followed. Jumeau answered back with a heavy leg kick. Later in the frame, Jumeau would go upstairs with a head kick that landed, causing some swelling. Abe was still looking tired, and while Jumeau finished strong looking to end the fight, it went to the scorecards.

Luke Jumeau def. Daichi Abe by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 28-27)

Teruto Ishihara vs. Jose Alberto Quinonez

Both Teruto Ishihara and Jose Quinonez came out southpaw. Quinonez immediately got the fight to the ground, but Ishihara was quickly back to his feet. From there, however, Quinonez stayed on him, grinding him up against the fence, and later taking the back and dragging him down. Ishihara would survive a rear-naked choke attempt, and they’d finish off the first frame on the feet, with Ishihara scoring with a right hand in a late flurry.

Round two saw the Japanese fighter come out strong, looking to build on the momentum he had going at the end of the first. Ishihara launched a high kick, and later another. Quinonez had his hands up, obviously aware of Teruto’s striking. Quinonez nearly kicked his opponent’s leg out from under him, but Ishihara stayed upright. Needing to answer back after his leg was continually chopped at, Ishihara fired off a leg kick of his own. Surprisingly, Quinonez hadn’t looked for a takedown in the first four minutes, and Ishihara was the clear aggressor in the second.

In the third, Teruto Ishihara stayed on the offensive early. He displayed some solid cardio and continued walking down his opponent. While a number of combinations were exchanged, the remainder of the bout seemed paint-by-numbers, but Quinonez stayed active, and when it went to the scorecards, the judges awarded him a unanimous decision — with one listing a questionable at best 30-27.

Jose Quinonez def. Teruto Ishihara by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Ross Pearson vs. Mizuto Hirota

In the featured Fight Pass prelim, Ross Pearson was looking to snap a four-fight slump.

Pearson vs. Hirota started out tentative, with a lengthy feeling out period to start the first round. The pair then began trading, with neither doing noticeable damage, though the Japanese fighter added in a number of leg kicks that could become a factor later in the fight. In the rare clinches, Pearson was able to shake Hirota off and remain on his feet. At the end of the first, Pearson finally got active with a jump knee attempt and late flurry.

Round two saw Hirota going to the body while continuing to work in leg kicks. Pearson was leading with a jab, and had bloodied his opponent around the nose/mouth area. A left hook over the top landed next for Pearson, and the action was starting to pick up. Hirota would fire off a high kick, and kept on attacking the lead leg; Pearson flashed level change, and continued to be successful with his left hook. A short right hand rocked Pearson in the closing seconds of the round, however

The third was crucial, as there was no telling how rocked Pearson was at the end of the first. Pearson’s jab continued to fly, but he was also showing some damage of his own in the final frame. Pearson changed things up a bit, launching a head kick of his own, and coming to the final minute, it felt like a big finish might sway the judges. Pearson would come on strong in the final thirty seconds, and for the third time in three fights, the judges were required.

Ross Pearson def. Mizuto Hirota by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

UFC 221: Romero vs. Rockhold Fight Pass Preliminary Results:

Ross Pearson def. Mizuto Hirota by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Jose Quinonez def. Teruto Ishihara by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Luke Jumeau def. Daichi Abe by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 28-27)

The post UFC 221: Romero vs. Rockhold Fight Pass Recap and Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

Ross Pearson, winner of the Ultimate Fighter 9 lightweight tournament, is set to return at February’s UFC 221. ‘The Real Deal’ will be looking to put an end to a four fight losing streak at the event. Opposite Pearson in the octagon will be Japan’s Mizuto Hirota.

Pearson (19–14 (1)) last appeared at UFC Fight Night 110 in June, where Dan Hooker finished him with a knee. Prior to that, he’d dropped fights to Stevie Ray, Jorge Masvidal, and and ‘Ill’ Will Brooks. His last victory came in 2016, a split decision win over fellow TUF winner Chad Laprise.

The UFC announced the fight on Saturday, following an earlier report by MMA Junkie.

We go Down Under!@RossTheRealDeal vs. Mizuto Hirota official for #UFC221 pic.twitter.com/n5HPNkyByU

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) December 23, 2017

Mizuto Hirota (18–8–2) enters the night off a loss to Alexander Volkanovski, also at UFC Fight Night 110. Prior to that, however, the Japanese fighter had been on a five fight undefeated streak. The aforementioned streak includes a 2015 draw against Teruto Ishihara in the Road to UFC: Japan tournament final. That punched his ticket back to the UFC after Hirota went 0-2 in the promotion in 2013.

The action takes place February 11 at the Perth Arena in Perth, Australia. Robert Whittaker faces Luke Rockhold for the UFC middleweight championship in the UFC 221 main event.

The post Ross Pearson to Face Mizuto Hirota at UFC 221 appeared first on Cageside Press.

The UFC Auckland main card opener did not get off to a quick start, with the first strikes being attempted 30 seconds in by Mizuto Hirota. Hirota pushed forward with strikes again, but Volkanovski answered with a combo stamped by a head kick.

Volkanovski pushed Hirota against the cage but could not score a takedown. He did score with a right hook on the exit that dropped Hirota, and Volkanovski pounced for the finish. Volkanovski delivered heavy ground and pound, but somehow kept his wits, even in the crucifix. Hirota dove for a heel hook, but Volkanovski escaped and stood up.

Volkanovski landed a takedown, but Hirota bounced back up quickly. Hirota was completely recovered from the early onslaught, and began to land some of his own shots. Volkanovski kept momentum on his side with another successful takedown, but Hirota used the fence to stand up. Volkanovski did not let him rest, landing a crisp spinning elbow. Volkanovski consistently landed a few more overhand rights before the round closed, a testament to Hirota’s chin.

Volkanovski came out fast in the second round, landing another knockdown with a spinning back elbow against the fence. Hirota bounced back to his feet quickly, but found himself on his back soon after following a takedown. Hirota landed a two-punch combination, but Volkanovski’s pressure was great, scoring a takedown after a head kick.

Hirota again stood up quickly, then nearly got Volkanovski to his back before a nice sweep from the Australian. Volkanovski landed yet another overhand right, but Hirota took it like a champ.

Volkanovski’s round three kept his momentum going. More overhand rights landed with consistency, including a takedown. Volkanovski slipped after a Hirota punch, but bounced back to his feet without an issue. Hirota was able to withstand the third round strikes and then came back with a combination of his own late. He pulled out all the stops to make a late comeback, but Volkanovski shut it down with takedown defense and more strong punches.

Alex Volkanovski pushed his record to 15-1 with a dominant 30-27 score from each three judges. He also offered to fight “all the bad boys” for Dana White and Sean Shelby.

The post UFC Auckland Results: Alex Volkanovski Outclasses Mizuto Hirota appeared first on Cageside Press.