Topped by former featherweight champ Juntaro Ushiku taking on former Rings champ Mikuru Asakura (notable to western fans perhaps for his exhibition boxing bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr.), there were a number of recognizable names on the card. In addition to ex-champ Ushiku, Yutaka Saito, another former feather champ (who had actually lost his title to Ushiku) was also in action.

Mei Yamaguchi was returning to Japan for the first time since 2019, meanwhile, and moving to RIZIN from ONE Championship in a fight with Super Atomweight staple Kanna Asakura. UFC veterans Masanori Kanehara and Roque Martinez were also set to compete, with Martinez returning to RIZIN, where he had last competed in 2020.

RIZIN Landmark 5 takes place on Saturday, April 29, 2023 with an English-language broadcast available via Fite.tv. Full results from the event, which kicks off at 3AM ET, can be found below.

RIZIN Landmark 5 Results

Mikuru Asakura def. Juntaro Ushiku by unanimous decision
Yutaka Saito def. Ren Hiramoto by split decision
Shinobu Ota def. Kazuma Kuramoto by KO, Round 1, 0:27

Intermission

Luiz Gustavo def. Koji Takeda by split decision
Kanna Asakura def. Mei Yamaguchi by unanimous decision
Claire Lopez def. Rena by submission (kneebar), Round 3, 4:21
Tsuyoshi Sudario def. Roque Martinez by unanimous decision
Masanori Kanehara def. Sora Yamamoto by unanimous decision
Ali Abdulkhalikov def. Tatsuya Saika by KO, Round 1, 3:30

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That was a question, of course, that would be answered Saturday. The big men were the third fight in on the Fight Night card, back at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Both men took the center of the octagon off the opening bell, and Martinez came out swinging. Martinez put Parisian against the fence, landing body shots. Parisian got away and landed a punch, but Marinez put him against the fence yet against. A hard quick elbow by Martinez followed. Two minutes into the fight, Martinez opened up Parisian with an elbow. Parisian landed a knee, and Martinez landed a hard hook. A front kick was fired off by Parisian. Parisian looked for the clinch and put Martinez against the fence. He landed a calf kick and a body kick. With one minute left, Martinez landed a hook and uppercut that hurt Parisian. Martinez then put Parisian against the fence again. Martinez landed an elbow, and the fight was halted as Parisian lost his mouthpiece. Round one ended with both fighters swinging.

Martinez came out to fight in round two, walking down Parisian. Parisian landed a front kick, and Martinez put him against the fence. Parisian reversed Martinez and put him against the fence. Parisian just held Martinez against the fence for a minute while Martinez was landing quick punches. Parisian then landed a low blow on Martinez that halted the action at 2:25. After a break, Martinez pushed Parisian against the fence as the fight restarted. Parisian threw a high kick, but it was blocked. Parisian landed a right hand and front kick. With just over a minute left, Parisian landed a nasty knee from the clinch. Parisian tried for a trip takedown, and Martinez grabbed a guillotine. Martinez dropped with the guillotine locked up, but Parisian escaped. Round two ended with both men on their feet.

Martinez came out swinging in round three, landing a few combos. Parisian landed a quick and heavy jab. Parisian landed another jab, and Martinez whiffed on a 1-2. Martinez landed a leaping hook that appeared to hurt Parisian, but he didn’t realize it. Parisian put him against the fence, and once they got off, Parisian ate an elbow. Parisian put Martinez against the fence again. With two minutes left in the fight, Parisian tried for a takedown, but Martinez defended. Parisian disengaged, and Martinez came out swinging again. Parisian hit Martinez below the belt again with just over a minute remaining. Martinez backed Parisian against the cage as the fight restarted and Parisian reversed again. Parisian disengaged and in the last 10 seconds, and both fighters threw punches to end it.

In a split decision that may not prove to be very popular, Parisian earned his long-awaited first UFC win. Martinez in turn loses his third straight and might be on his way back to the regional scene, or RIZIN.

Official Result: Josh Parisian defeated Roque Martinez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

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MMA DNA was first to report that two-time Dana White Contender Series vet and Ultimate Fighter alumni Josh Parisian will fight Roque Martinez at a yet-to-be-announced UFC event on June 19. Sources subsequently confirmed the fight to Cageside Press, and Parisian would later confirm the fight on his Instagram.

Parisian (13-4) was unsuccessful in his UFC debut in November when he lost a unanimous decision to Parker Porter at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Clark. Before his loss to Porter, Parisian was on a six-fight win streak. Two of those wins came in 2020, prior to his octagon his debut. He would knock out Marcus Maulding in the first round to earn another invite to Dana White’s Contender Series, where he would again win in the first round and earn a UFC contract that had long avoided him.

Martinez (15-7-2) may be fighting for his job when he faces Parisian. He lost twice in 2020, although both defeats were on short notice. Martinez, a RIZIN alum, fought Alexander Romanov in his UFC debut and two months later would face Don’Tale Mayes. The Guam fighter will finally have a full training camp and will be looking to get his first win in the big show.

The only other fights reported so far for the UFC’s June 19 card are Virna Jandiroba vs. Kanako Murata and Matt Brown vs. Dhiego Lima.

The post Josh Parisian vs. Roque Martinez Set For June 19 UFC Event appeared first on Cageside Press.

The first two of those suspensions in the night came courtesy of knee injuries. In the opening bout of the evening Roque Williams dropped a decision to Don’Tale Mayes and took some damage to his left knee in the process. Later on during the prelims, Alex Morono picked up a win over a very tough Rhys McKee. In doing so, he saw his right knee take a hit. Both will need MRI’s and will face 180 days off if those don’t come back clean.

Later on in the night, Cory McKenna picked up an unanimous decision victory over Kay Hansen. However, she left with an apparent ankle injury that saw her being carried out of the cage. That will need to be cleared by the orthopedic doctor or she too will be on the shelf until May.

Lastly, Paul Felder joins the long layoff group with damage to his elbow. It wasn’t immediately clear if the damage was structural or ligament based, so he’ll need to be cleared by either an MRI or an x-ray.

Complete list of UFC Vegas 14 medical suspensions:

Rafael dos Anjos – 30 days
Paul Felder – 180 days or unless cleared by x-ray or MRI of right elbow.
Abdul Razak Alhassan – 60 days
Ashley Yoder – 21 days
Sean Strickland – 30 days
Brenden Allen – 45 days
Cory McKenna – 180 days or unless left ankle is cleared by orthopedic doctor.
Kay Hansen – 21 days
Kanako Murata – 21 days
Randa Markos – 60 days
Tony Gravely – 30 days
Geraldo de Freitas – 30 days
Alex Morono – 180 days or until cleared by MRI of right knee.
Rhys McKee – 45 days
Don’Tale Mayes – 30 days
Roque Martinez – 180 days or until cleared by MRI of left knee.

Suspensions originally reported by Kirik Jenness.

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Mayes and Martinez, at least, made it to the party. Both fighters were coming off losses. In the case of Mayes, the Contender Series 2019 winner had lost both his UFC bouts to date.

Martinez opened up with a leg kick on the much larger Mayes. Mayes was happy to answer back with more than one of his own. Roque moved in with an overhand that landed, and would go back to that well again moments later. Martinez would struggle a bit with the size and reach advantage with Mayes, who was able to keep the shorter fighter on the outside. When Martinez did close the distance, however, he was able to land more than once. Say what you will about his physique, but Martinez also pulled off a nifty kick combo ending in a spinning kick. However, he was taken down at the end of the frame, with Mayes working from half-guard.

The second round saw Mayes warned for having his fingers extended. The ref had warned him several times in the opening round as well. Mayes later landed a step-in knee, but he was in danger of losing a point due to his lack of finger control. Undeterred, Mayes began picking up steam as the round wore on, laying into Martinez with a number of punches, which Martinez ate while covering up. Martinez would later work for his own takedown, but Mayes pulled free — then jumped into a flying knee that Martinez survived. Martinez would connect with an uppercut, but finished the round under siege.

The third round saw Martinez in need of a finish. With that in mind, he managed to get Mayes in a guillotine, but wasn’t in position, and Mayes was able to escape. Martinez would have his moments in the third, but tied up and controlled Mayes when he needed to be looking for a finish. Mayes would fire off another jump knee late in the round, but Martinez couldn’t be stopped.

Solid start!

How does your scorecard look? ⤵️ #UFCVegas14 pic.twitter.com/0zQtUGIc61

— UFC (@ufc) November 14, 2020

Plenty of heart and a solid chin on the part of Roque Martinez — but the winner was clearly Don’Tale Mayes, who finally picked up his first UFC victory.

Official Result: Don’Tale Mayes def. Roque Martinez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

The post UFC Vegas 14 Results: Don’Tale Mayes Takes Roque Martinez the Distance appeared first on Cageside Press.

For 15-year MMA veteran Roque Martinez, that wasn’t the case at all. In fact, Martinez found his way to the UFC by chance and an unfortunate circumstance.

“I would say that the whole COVID situation played a huge part [of why I’m in the UFC],” Martinez revealed. “I was in Rizin, of course all of their events are in Japan. Since COVID started they have a travel ban for the foreigners going into Japan.”

Martinez was set to wait through that travel ban until they started booking shows again. However, after a few months, it began to look like that time wasn’t going to come soon enough.

“Basically I was kind of on standby to see what the deal was with them. My last fight in Rizin was my last fight on contact with them, but I was thinking most likely we’re going to renew with them,” he said. “I was thinking it was time to look at fighting elsewhere to stay active because I didn’t want to just wait to see how long until they lift their travel ban.”

That’s when Martinez got in touch with the Iridium Agency led by Jason House, who started to get feelers out for him with the UFC. It didn’t take long and Martinez had an offer for his debut.

Looking back at the whole ordeal now, he feels that without Japan’s travel ban, he would likely have never been here in the UFC.

“I can’t say that it wouldn’t have happened, but chances are that I would have probably continued to fight in Rizin,” he admitted. “The way it all played out for this year and COVID — me getting to the UFC is a direct result of everything that happened.”

And it’s not that Martinez doesn’t appreciate what it means to be in the UFC, it’s just that Rizin spoke to something deep inside of him — something he loved from his childhood and early training days.

“I grew up watching Pride… so for me it was a lot of that feel of that Pride nostalgia,” he explained fondly. “Those entrances and all the lights and the show, the production and everything like that — it just brings me back to that old Pride feel and that’s what stands out the most to me. I really loved the atmosphere.”

Martinez’s sophomore effort in the UFC goes down this Saturday at UFC Vegas 14, where he fights Don’Tale Mayes.

You can listen to our complete audio interview with Roque Martinez here.

The post How A Travel Ban Led UFC Vegas 14’s Roque Martinez to the Octagon appeared first on Cageside Press.

It was a clash of heavyweights at UFC Vegas 10 as Alexander Romanov took on Roque Martinez. Romanov has had three opportunities to make his promotional debut this year, but all three fights fell through due to COVID-19. The most recent one was just last week against Marcos Rogerio de Lima. Romanov, who is Moldovan, was 11-0 with all of his wins coming by stoppage.

Martinez is a RIZIN veteran from Guam who had won three of his last four fights. He holds wins over Jerome LeBanner and Da Un Jung, and shared the ring with Mirko Cro Cop in RIZIN. He was making his UFC debut.

Roque Martinez started the fight with a few leg kicks, then ate a body kick from Alexander Romanov. Romanov dragged Martinez to the ground, then had to avoid a heel hook. Romanov got to his feet, then dropped some heavy punches on Martinez. Martinez scrambled to get back up, but Romanov hit a suplex and got back in top position. Romanov tried a scarf hold, but Martinez popped out, so Romanov slid into mount and started pounding away. Plenty of hammerfists were raining down, but Martinez’s guard held strong. Romanov moved to knee on belly and kept pounding away, but couldn’t get the finish. He tried a straight armbar at the very end of the round and Martinez grimaced his way to the bell.

Oh my! 😱 Someone check on the integrity of the Octagon! #UFCVegas10 pic.twitter.com/7fFMYZULcV

— UFC (@ufc) September 12, 2020

Martinez started the round with a right hand then a leg kick. Another body kick landed for Romanov then he drove in for a takedown right into half guard. Romanov was working on getting position rather than throwing leather, then eventually got mount. He elected to move to side control, then back to mount. He postured up and the hammerfists started flying again. Martinez held strong yet again, as Romanov stopped punching. Martinez nearly worked his way to his feet, but Romanov got right back to mount. This time, he went for an arm-triangle choke and forced the tap from Martinez.

Alexander Romanov def. Roque Martinez by Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in Round 2 (4:22)

The post UFC Vegas 10 Results: Alexander Romanov Runs Through Roque Martinez appeared first on Cageside Press.

Alexander “King Kong” Romanov
6’2″
Heavyweight
29-years-old
Comrat, Moldova
Lion Comrat
11-0
4 KO/TKOs
7 Submissions

How will Romanov fare in the UFC:

Alexander Romanov is a former Sumo wrestler which you can see in right away when he fights in MMA. Simply put, he’s a wrestler first and foremost. Once “King Kong” closes the distance he has the ability to just muscle opponents to the mat with the upper body lock.

Romanov will elevate foes and slam them does in emphatic fashion. He has almost no striking at all as he’s very sloppy and telegraphed. To close the distance he simply bull rushes the opposition, being very aggressive. What he does do well on the feet is throw heavy kicks. It’s a good weapon but one that would be far more effective if he set it up.

On the mat, Romanov is a problem — and a big one at that. He uses his weight to smother guys in top position and once he’s on top, especially in mount, he’s hard to shake off. His top position is reminiscent of Derrick Lewis. For a big man Romanov moves well on top and once he lets loose on the ground and pound he will rain down heavy strikes until the ref steps in. Romanov is a submission threat but it’s sort of white belt level, submitting opponents with neck cranks and forearm chokes. Nonetheless it shows how strong the Moldovan really is. His striking would be his biggest weakness and it’s important to note that the longer the fight goes on, the bigger a problem his cardio becomes.

Roque Martinez
5’10″
Heavyweight
34-years-old
Tamuning, Guam
Spike 22
15-5-2
8 KO/TKOs
3 Submissions

How will Martinez fare in the UFC:

Martinez is a hard-headed tough dude always going out on his shield. From start to finish, Martinez is constantly coming forward. He doesn’t have the biggest power but his volume and forward pressure breaks opponents. He throws a lot of nice uppercuts and will throw combinations ripping to the body as well. Martinez also will throw a lot of kicks really going after that lead leg mainly. He likes to throw in the clinch as well with short strikes and lead elbows.

What makes Martinez excel is his ability to take a shot. The ability to take a shot also hinders him however, as he does get hit way too often.

While toughness is an excellent quality to have, an even better one is cardio — and Martinez has that. The ability to dig deep for three hard rounds and stay on the gas is such a nice quality to possess, especially for a heavyweight. Martinez has a lot of tools to excel as a heavyweight but I do worry about him just getting picked apart by strikers with good movement.

How do these two match up:

It’s a tough fight to pick as it’s striker vs grappler. I haven’t really seen Martinez have to defend firm takedowns. Although I really don’t think Romanov is a good wrestler he is the bigger guy with a five-inch height advantage and throwing guys around is what he does. I feel if Romanov doesn’t get it done in the first, Martinez could take over with a superior gas tank. I’m leaning with Romanov because of the big physical advantage but I won’t be surprised either way.

The post Welcome to the UFC: Alexander Romanov and Roque Martinez appeared first on Cageside Press.

It was easy enough a card for fans in the west to miss (or sleep through), but RIZIN 21 offered some pleasant surprises for fight fans around the globe. The Japanese MMA outfit, known for cards that can best be described as excruciatingly long, managed to quicken the pace in Hamamatsu, with just one intermission, and a short one at that.

In the main event, Mikuru Asakura continued his push to star status with a TKO of Daniel Salas. Albeit an opponent Asakura was expected to defeat, the method in which he sealed the deal — set up via a head kick — proved that the Japanese fighter can be relied upon to entertain.

After the bout, an apparent match with Kotetsu Boku, a former ONE Championship lightweight champ, was lined up.

Also on the card, DEEP and RIZIN regular Roque Martinez finished off another ONE alum, Hideki Seine, at heavyweight — sealing the deal with soccer kicks.

Full results from the card, and a gallery of highlights, can be found below.

RIZIN 21 Results:

Main Card

Mikuru Asakura def. Daniel Salas by TKO (head kick and punches), Round 2, 2:34
Victor Henry def. Masanori Kanehara by TKO, Round 2, 0:45
Roque Martinez def. Hideki “Shrek” Sekine by TKO (soccer kicks and punches), Round 1, 3:57
Marcos Yoshio Souza def. Falco Neto by TKO, Round 1, 1:27
Kintaro def. Kenji Kato by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 4:21

Jiu-Jitsu Gauntlet Exhibition Match

Roberto Satoshi def.

Yuki Nakai by submission (Triangle Choke) in 3:35
Hiroshi Shinagawa by submission (Triangle Choke) in 1:27
Edison Kagohara by submission (Choke) in 1:23
Koji Shigemizu by submission (Armbar) in 0:51
Yuna Kimura by submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in 0:46

Naoki Inoue def. Trent Girdham by unanimous decision
Vugar Karamov def. Kyle Aguon by unanimous decision
Kousuke Jitsukata def. Ryo Sakai by knockout (punches), Round 1, 1:28 – Kickboxing bout
Kenichi Takeuchi def. NAOYA by unanimous decision – Kickboxing bout
Henrry Cejas def. SEIDO by unanimous decision – Kickboxing bout
YUYA def. KOUKI by knockout (punch), Round 1, 2:30 – Kickboxing bout
Masaji Tozuka vs. Masahiro Ozawa ended in a majority draw – Kickboxing bout

The post RIZIN 21: Hamamatsu Photo Highlights appeared first on Cageside Press.

It also offered a soccer kick finish that would no doubt please the old school PRIDE fans among us.

Roque Martinez was the author of said finish. The heavyweight, who has become a RIZIN regular, was facing off with Shrek himself — Japan’s Hideki Seine. Martinez, who exited the evening with a record of 15-5-2, had been expected to have the edge on the feet. And he did, catching ONE Championship alum Seine with a number of blows. A right hand sent the Japanese fighter down.

Then, as Seine tried to secure a leg, the soccer kicks came. First one, then a second, and a third. Seine (7-4) was left laying over the ropes, perhaps trying to put his nose back in place. Martinez came in with a hammer fist to seal the deal, and after briefly halting the action to get Seine back inside the ropes, the ref waved it off.

Watch a clip of the action below. For full results from RIZIN 21, head here.

Shrek is mush. Shrek is death. #RIZIN21 pic.twitter.com/C2ZOY58OK7

— Kyle Johnson (@VonPreux) February 22, 2020

Official Result: Roque Martinez def. Hideki Seine by TKO (soccer kicks and punches), Round 1, 3:57

The post Roque Martinez Breaks Out the Soccer Kicks to Finish “Shrek” at RIZIN 21 appeared first on Cageside Press.