2020 in Rizin Fighting Federation#Rizin 24 - Saitama

{{short description|Rizin Fighting Federation in 2020}}

{{Year in UFC

|name = 2020 in Rizin Fighting Federation

|image =

|image_size =

|first_date = February 22, 2020

|last_date = December 31, 2020

|total_events = 6

|total_fights = 67

|title_fights = 4

|preceded_by = 2019 in Rizin Fighting Federation

|followed_by = 2021 in Rizin Fighting Federation

}}

The year 2020 was the sixth year in the history of the Rizin Fighting Federation, a mixed martial arts promotion based in Japan. The year began with

Rizin 21 in Hamamatsu on February 22, 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic would put the promotion on hiatus until Rizin 22 on August 9.

Rizin events are broadcast through a television agreement with Fuji Television. In North America and Europe, Rizin events were available via PPV on FITE TV.{{Cite web|title = Rizin FF Partners with FITE TV|url = http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Rizin-FF-Partners-with-FITE-TV-to-Stream-April-16-Event-in-Yokohama-on-PPV-119563|website=sherdog.com}} Beginning with Rizin 26, events have been streaming on LIVENow in North America and Europe.{{Cite web|title = Rizin FF Partners with Live-now|url = https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/12/24/22197954/rizin-26-full-card-announced|website=mmafighting.com| date=24 December 2020 }}{{Cite web|title = LIVENOW AND RIZIN FIGHTING FEDERATION STRIKE DEAL TO BRING MMA CONTEST TO A GLOBAL AUDIENCE|url=https://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/LIVENow/view/238884/|website=pressparty.com}}

List of events

class="sortable wikitable succession-box" style="margin:1.0em auto; font-size:90%;"
scope="col" | #

! scope="col" | Event

! scope="col" | Date

! scope="col" | Venue

! scope="col" | Location

! scope="col" | Attendance

align=center| 1

| Rizin 21 – Hamamatsu

| {{dts|2020|February|22}}

| Hamamatsu Arena

| {{flagicon|JPN}} Hamamatsu, Japan

| 6,832

align=center| 2

| Rizin 22 – Starting Over

| {{dts|2020|August|9}}

| Pia Arena MM

| {{flagicon|JPN}} Yokohama, Japan

| 2,805

align=center| 3

| Rizin 23 – Calling Over

| {{dts|2020|August|10}}

| Pia Arena MM

| {{flagicon|JPN}} Yokohama, Japan

| 4,410

align=center| 4

| Rizin 24 – Saitama

| {{dts|2020|September|27}}

| Saitama Super Arena

| {{flagicon|JPN}} Saitama, Japan

| 5,000

align=center| 5

| Rizin 25 – Osaka

| {{dts|2020|November|21}}

| Osaka-jō Hall

| {{flagicon|JPN}} Osaka, Japan

| 5,487

align=center| 6

| Rizin 26 – Saitama

| {{dts|2020|December|31}}

| Saitama Super Arena

| {{flagicon|JPN}} Saitama, Japan

| 9,978

Rizin 21 – Hamamatsu

{{Infobox MMA event

|promotion= Rizin Fighting Federation

| name= Rizin 21 – Hamamatsu

|date= February 22, 2020

|venue=Hamamatsu Arena

| city= {{flagicon|JPN}} Hamamatsu, Japan

|attendance= 6,832

|gate=

|previousevent= Rizin 20

|followingevent=

}}

Rizin 21 – Hamamatsu was a Combat sport event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on February 22, 2020 at the Hamamatsu Arena in Hamamatsu, Japan.

=Results=

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 80%;"
colspan="8" style="background-color: #ccf; color: #000080; text-align: center;" | Rizin 21
colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Weight Class

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Method

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Round

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | T.Time

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Notes

Catchweight 68 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Mikuru Asakura

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|MEX}} Daniel Salas

|TKO (Head Kick and Punches)

|align=center|2

|align=center|7:34

|

Bantamweight 61 kg

|{{flagicon|USA}} Victor Henry

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Masanori Kanehara

|TKO (Punches)

|align=center|2

|align=center|5:45

|

Heavyweight 120 kg

|{{flagicon|GUM}} Roque Martinez

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Hideki Sekine

|TKO (Soccer Kicks)

|align=center|1

|align=center|4:04

|

Catchweight 79 kg

|{{flagicon|BRA}} Marcos de Souza

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|POR}} Falco Neto

|TKO (Punches)

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:27

|

colspan="8" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000080; text-align: center;" | Intermission
Bantamweight 61 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuto Hokamura

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kenji Kato

|Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

|align=center|1

|align=center|4:21

|

rowspan=5|Exhibition

|rowspan=5|{{flagicon|BRA}} Roberto de Souza

|rowspan=5|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuki Nakai

|Submission (Triangle Choke)

|rowspan=5 align=center|1

|rowspan=5 align=center|8:05

|rowspan=5|Jiu Jitsu Elimination Match

{{flagicon|JPN}} Hiroshi Shinagawa

|Submission (Triangle Choke)

{{flagicon|JPN}} Edison Kagohara

|Submission (Choke)

{{flagicon|JPN}} Koji Shigemizu

|Submission (Armbar)

{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuna Kimura

|Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Bantamweight 61 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Naoki Inoue

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|AUS}} Trent Girdham

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|15:00

|

Featherweight 66 kg

|{{flagicon| AZE}} Vugar Karamov

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|GUM}} Kyle Aguon

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|15:00

|

Heavyweight 120 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kousuke Jitukata

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Ryo Sakai

|KO (Punches)

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:28

|Kickboxing

Flyweight 57 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kenichi Takeuchi

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Naoya

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|9:00

|Kickboxing

colspan="8" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000080; text-align: center;" | Opening Fight
Catchweight 60 kg

|{{flagicon|BOL}} Henrry Cejas

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Seido

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|9:00

|Kickboxing

Lightweight 70 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuya

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kouki

|KO (Punch)

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:30

|Kickboxing

Catchweight 59 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Masaji Tozuka

|align=center| -

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Masahiro Ozawa

|Draw (Majority)

|align=center|3

|align=center|9:00

|Kickboxing

Rizin 22 – Starting Over

{{Infobox MMA event

|promotion= Rizin Fighting Federation

| name= Rizin 22 – Starting Over

|date= August 9, 2020

|venue=Pia Arena MM

|city= {{flagicon|JPN}} Yokohama, Japan

|attendance= 2,805

|gate=

|previousevent=

|followingevent=

}}

Rizin 22 – Starting Over was a Combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on August 9, 2020 at the Pia Arena MM in Yokohama, Japan.

=Background=

The event was initially planned to be held on April 19, 2020 at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan However, the event was cancelled on April 2, 2020, due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/4/2/21204263/covid-19-outbreak-rizin-cancel-event-mma-japan|title=RIZIN 22 canceled in Japan|date=April 2, 2020|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Guilherme Cruz}}

=Results=

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 80%;"
colspan="8" style="background-color: #ccf; color: #000080; text-align: center;" | Rizin 22
colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Weight Class

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Method

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Round

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | T.Time

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Notes

Lightweight 71 kg

|{{flagicon|BRA}} Roberto de Souza

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yusuke Yachi

|TKO (Punches)

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:52

|

W.Strawweight 52 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Ayaka Hamasaki

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Tomo Maesawa

|Submission (Kimura)

|align=center|2

|align=center|6:26

|

W.Super Atomweight 49 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kanna Asakura

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Mizuki Furuse

|TKO (Punches)

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:35

|

Bantamweight 61 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Naoki Inoue

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Shooto Watanabe

|Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:40

|

Catchweight 56 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Rui Ebata

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Seiki Ueyama

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|9:00

|Kickboxing

Catchweight 50.8 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Nadaka Yoshinari

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuushin

|TKO (Referee Stoppage)

|align=center|2

|align=center|8:08

|Kickboxing

Featherweight 66 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Tetsuya Seki

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kouya Kanda

|TKO (Punches)

|align=center|2

|align=center|8:47

|

Featherweight 66 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kyohei Hagiwara

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Rikuto Shirakawa

|TKO (Punches)

|align=center|3

|align=center|14:40

|

Bantamweight 61 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kenji Kato

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Erson Yamamoto

|KO (Punch)

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:32

|

Rizin 23 – Calling Over

{{Infobox MMA event

|promotion= Rizin Fighting Federation

| name= Rizin 23 – Calling Over

|date= August 10, 2020

|venue=Pia Arena MM

|city= {{flagicon|JPN}} Yokohama, Japan

|attendance= 4,410

|gate=

|previousevent=

|followingevent=

}}

Rizin 23 – Calling Over was a Combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on August 10, 2020 at the Pia Arena MM in Yokohama, Japan.

=Background=

A Rizin Bantamweight Championship bout for the vacant title between former title challenger Kai Asakura and Hiromasa Ougikubo served as the event headliner.{{cite web |title=Hiromasa Ogikubo and Kai Asakura fight for vacant title at RIZIN 23 |url=https://thebodylockmma.com/rizin/hiromasa-ogikubo-and-kai-asakura-fight-for-vacant-title-at-rizin-23/ |website=thebodylockmma.com |date=31 July 2020 |accessdate=19 October 2020}} Former Rizin Bantamweight champion Manel Kape announced on March 30, 2020 that he would be relinquishing the bantamweight title and announce he has signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC.{{cite web |title=UFC signs RIZIN bantamweight sensation Manel Kape |url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2020/3/31/21201755/ufc-signs-rizin-bantamweight-sensation-manel-kape-champion-mma-news |website=bloodyelbow.com |date=31 March 2020 |accessdate=19 October 2020}}

=Results=

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 80%;"
colspan="8" style="background-color: #ccf; color: #000080; text-align: center;" | Rizin 23
colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Weight Class

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Method

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Round

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | T.Time

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Notes

Bantamweight 61 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kai Asakura

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Hiromasa Ougikubo

|TKO (Soccer Kicks)

|align=center|1

|align=center|4:31

|For the vacant Rizin Bantamweight Championship

Bantamweight 61 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuki Motoya

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Mamoru Uoi

|Submission (Guillotine Choke)

|align=center|3

|align=center|12:19

|

Featherweight 66 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yutaka Saito

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kazumasa Majima

|TKO (Knees and Elbow)

|align=center|2

|align=center|5:24

|

Bantamweight 61 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kento Haraguchi

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Taiga Kawabe

|TKO (Punches)

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:50

|Kickboxing

Featherweight 66 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Jin Aoi

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kotetsu Boku

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|15:00

|

Catchweight 59 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Makoto Shinryu

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Seiichiro Ito

|Submission (Guillotine Choke)

|align=center|2

|align=center|9:30

|

Catchweight 73 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kaito Ono

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|DRC}} Daryl Lokoku

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|9:00

|Kickboxing

Flyweight 58 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Tatsuki Saomoto

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yusaku Nakamura

|KO (Punches)

|align=center|1

|align=center|4:06

|

Catchweight 73 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Shintaro Matsukura

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Koji Mori

|KO (Punches)

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:28

|Kickboxing

Rizin 24 – Saitama

{{Infobox MMA event

|promotion= Rizin Fighting Federation

| name= Rizin 24 - Saitama

|date= September 27, 2020

|venue=Saitama Super Arena

|city= {{flagicon|JPN}} Saitama, Japan

|attendance= 5,000

|gate=

|previousevent=

|followingevent=

}}

Rizin 24 – Saitama was a Combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on September 27, 2020 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

=Background=

The first two fights announced for Rizin 24 was a bantamweight bout between Kai Asakura and Shoji Maruyama, as well as a women's strawweight bout between Rena Kubota and Emi Tomimatsu. A fight between two MMA veterans was announced as well, as Takasuke Kume took on Satoru Kitaoka.{{cite web |title=Kai Asakura-Shoji Maruyama, Rena-Emi Tomimatsu Added to RIZIN 24 |url=https://mymmanews.com/kai-asakura-shoji-maruyama-rena-emi-tomimatsu-added-to-rizin-24/ |website=mymmanews.com |date=15 September 2020 |accessdate=19 October 2020}} The main event was a kickboxing fight between Tenshin Nasukawa and Koji.{{cite web |title=Two Bouts Added to Sept. 27 Rizin 24 Lineup in Saitama |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Two-Bouts-Added-to-Sept-27-Rizin-24-Lineup-in-Saitama-175165 |website=sherdog.com |accessdate=19 October 2020}}

=Results=

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 80%;"
colspan="8" style="background-color: #ccf; color: #000080; text-align: center;" | Rizin 24
colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Weight Class

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Method

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Round

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | T.Time

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Notes

Catchweight 58.5 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Tenshin Nasukawa

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Koji

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|9:00

|Kickboxing

Bantamweight 61 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kai Asakura

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Shoji Maruyama

|TKO (Punches and Soccer Kick)

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:37

|Non-title bout.

Lightweight 71 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Koji Takeda

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuki Kawana

|Decision (Split)

|align=center|3

|align=center|15:00

|

Lightweight 71 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Takasuke Kume

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Satoru Kitaoka

|Decision (Split)

|align=center|3

|align=center|15:00

|

Catchweight 60 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Taishi Hiratsuka

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuuki Kitagawa

|KO (Punch)

|align=center|2

|align=center|3:27

|Kickboxing

Bantamweight 61 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kenta Takizawa

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuto Hokamura

|Decision (Split)

|align=center|3

|align=center|15:00

|

W. Strawweight 52 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Rena Kubota

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Emi Tomimatsu

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|15:00

|

Featherweight 66 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Takahiro Ashida

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kyohei Hagiwara

|Submission (Triangle Choke)

|align=center|2

|align=center|9:25

|

Heavyweight 120 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Sudario Tsuyoshi

|align=center|Def.

|{{flagicon|NZL}} Dylan James

|TKO (Doctor Stoppage)

|align=center|1

|align=center|5:00

|

Catchweight 55 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Mutsuki Ebata

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Rasta

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|9:00

|Kickboxing

Lightweight 71 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Juri Ohara

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yusuke Yachi

|Decision (Split)

|align=center|3

|align=center|15:00

|

Rizin 25 – Osaka

{{Infobox MMA event

|promotion= Rizin Fighting Federation

| name= Rizin 25 – Osaka

|date= November 21, 2020

|venue=Osaka-jō Hall

|city= {{flagicon|JPN}} Osaka, Japan

|attendance= 5,487

|gate=

|previousevent=

|followingevent=

}}

Rizin 25 – Osaka was a Combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on November 21, 2020 at the Osaka-jō Hall in Osaka, Japan.

=Background=

During the press conference prior to Rizin 25,{{cite web |title=【RIZIN】年末前にもう1大会か、10月19日(月)に『RIZIN.25』開催発表会見 |url=https://gonkaku.jp/articles/5090 |website=gonkaku.jp |accessdate=19 October 2020}} Rizin CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara confirmed that nine fights were finalized for the card.

Rizin standout Mikuru Asakura will fight the former Shooto Lightweight champion Yutaka Saito for the inaugural featherweight title.{{cite web |title=【RIZIN】朝倉未来が初王座戦に余裕「相手じゃない」対する修斗世界王者の斎藤「チャンスは必ずある」 |url=https://efight.jp/news-20201019_474757 |website=efight.jp |date=19 October 2020 |accessdate=19 October 2020}} Former Bantamweight title challenger Hiromasa Ougikubo is scheduled to fight Kenta Takizawa.{{cite web |title=【RIZIN】扇久保博正が再起戦、金太郎下したストライカー・瀧澤謙太と激突「蹴りの勝負でも僕が上」(扇久保) |url=https://efight.jp/news-20201019_474841 |website=efight.jp |date=19 October 2020 |accessdate=19 October 2020}} Former strawweight King of Pancrase Daichi Kitakata is scheduled to face the ZST Flyweight champion Tatsuki Saomoto.{{cite web |title=Mikuru Asakura faces Yutaka Saito in featherweight title fight at Rizin 25 |url=https://asianmma.com/mikuru-asakura-faces-yutaka-saito-in-featherweight-title-fight-at-rizin-25/ |website=asianmma.com |date=19 October 2020 |accessdate=19 October 2020}}

Two additional MMA bouts were announced: Yojiro Uchimura vs. Kyohei Hagiwara in the featherweight division and Ryuichiro Sumimura vs. Gota Yamashita in the welterweight division. The remaining four fights are kickboxing bouts: Taiga Kawabe will fight Yuma Yamahata, Yuma Yamaguchi is scheduled to fight Shohei Asahara, Hidenori Ebata will take on Isami Sano and Jin Mandokoro is set to go up against Syuto Sato.{{cite web |title=【RIZIN】11.21大阪大会決定、朝倉未来ら9カード発表「後半巻き返しをしていきたい」(榊原CEO) |url=https://efight.jp/news-20201019_474759 |website=efight.jp |date=19 October 2020 |accessdate=19 October 2020}} A fight between Kotetsu Boku and Rikuto Shirakawa was later added to the card.{{cite web |title=Kotetsu Boku faces Rikuto Shirakawa at Rizin 25 |url=https://asianmma.com/kotetsu-boku-faces-rikuto-shirakawa-at-rizin-25/ |website=asianmma.com |date=5 November 2020 |accessdate=5 November 2020}}

=Results=

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 80%;"
colspan="8" style="background-color: #ccf; color: #000080; text-align: center;" | Rizin 25
colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Weight Class

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Method

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Round

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | T.Time

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Notes

Featherweight 66 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yutaka Saito

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Mikuru Asakura

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|15:00

|For the inaugural Rizin Featherweight Championship

Bantamweight 61 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Hiromasa Ougikubo

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kenta Takizawa

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|15:00

|

Welterweight 77 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Ryuichiro Sumimura

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Gota Yamashita

|Decision (Split)

|align=center|3

|align=center|15:00

|

Flyweight 57 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Tatsuki Saomoto

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Daichi Kitakata

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|15:00

|

Exhibition

|{{flagicon|BRA}} Roberto de Souza
{{flagicon|JPN}} Kleber Koike Erbst

|

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Hari Sakamoto
{{flagicon|JPN}} Misaki Akita

|

|align=center|

|align=center|

|Grappling Demonstration

colspan="8" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000080; text-align: center;" | Intermission
Featherweight 66 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kyohei Hagiwara

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yojiro Uchimura

|KO (Punches and Foot Stomp)

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:22

|

Catchweight 60.5 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Taiga Kawabe

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuma Yamahata

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|9:00

|Kickboxing

Catchweight 83 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Isami Sano

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Hidenori Ebata

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|9:00

|Kickboxing

Featherweight 66 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Rikuto Shirakawa

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kotetsu Boku

|TKO (Punches and Soccer Kick)

|align=center|3

|align=center|14:19

|

Catchweight 53 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Jin Mandokoro

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Syuto Sato

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|9:00

|Kickboxing

Catchweight 63 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Shohei Asahara

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuma Yamaguchi

|TKO (Punches)

|align=center|3

|align=center|8:59

|Kickboxing

Rizin 26 – Saitama

{{Infobox MMA event

|promotion= Rizin Fighting Federation

| name= Rizin 26 – Saitama

|date= December 31, 2020

|venue=Saitama Super Arena

|city= {{flagicon|JPN}} Saitama, Japan

|attendance= 9,978

|gate=

|previousevent=

|followingevent= Rizin 27

}}

Rizin 26 – Saitama was a combat sport event held by Rizin Fighting Federation on December 31, 2020 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

=Background=

The card was headlined by a rematch for the Rizin bantamweight championship, in his first title defense the reigning bantamweight champion Kai Asakura has met the former champion Kyoji Horiguchi. The two met previously in a non-title bout, with Asakura winning by knockout.{{cite web |title=Kyoji Horiguchi to rematch Kai Asakura at Rizin 26 |url=https://asianmma.com/kyoji-horiguchi-to-rematch-kai-asakura-at-rizin-26/ |website=asianmma.com |date=13 November 2020 |accessdate=13 November 2020}}

Olympic silver medalist Shinobu Ota, has signed with Rizin Fighting Championship, he made his MMA debut against the veteran Hideo Tokoro.{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/2d024d3869f8ca64771164d25523a4f5ae24d86c|title=Shinobu Ota will make his New Year's Eve debut against hideo Tokoro|publisher=yahoo.co.jp}}

Former RIZIN Super Atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki was set to fight Miyuu Yamamoto for the vacant Super Atomweight title.{{cite web |title=Ayaka Hamasaki and Miyuu Yamamoto face off in super atomweight title fight at Rizin 26 |url=https://asianmma.com/ayaka-hamasaki-and-miyuu-yamamoto-face-off-in-super-atomweight-title-fight-at-rizin-26/ |website=asianmma.com |date=2 December 2020 |access-date=2 December 2020}}

Tenshin Nasukawa was scheduled to fight Kumandoi Phetjaroenvit, while Takanori Gomi was scheduled to fight Koji under special standup rules.{{cite web |title=Tenshin Nasukawa, Takanori Gomi to compete at Rizin 26 |url=https://asianmma.com/tenshin-nasukawa-takanori-gomi-to-compete-at-rizin-26/ |website=asianmma.com |date=22 December 2020 |access-date=22 December 2020}} Gomi's weight limit was 75 kg and Koji's 65 kg. The rules of the bout forbid grappling and kicking, while both fighters wore 12oz gloves.{{cite web |title=Ruleset for Rizin 26 bout between Takanori Gomi and Kouzi confirmed |url=https://asianmma.com/ruleset-for-rizin-26-bout-between-takanori-gomi-and-kouzi-confirmed/ |website=asianmma.com |date=28 December 2020 |access-date=31 December 2020}}

Sakura Mori missed weight for her atomweight bout with Eru Takebayashi by 1.7 kg.{{cite web |title=Kai Asakura, Kyoji Horiguchi on point ahead of Rizin 26 |url=https://asianmma.com/kai-asakura-kyoji-horiguchi-on-point-ahead-of-rizin-26/ |website=asianmma.com |date=30 December 2020 |access-date=31 December 2020}}

=Results=

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 80%;"
colspan="8" style="background-color: #ccf; color: #000080; text-align: center;" | Rizin 26
colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Weight Class

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" |

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Method

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Round

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | T.Time

! colspan="1" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000000; text-align: center;" | Notes

Bantamweight 61 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kyoji Horiguchi

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kai Asakura (c)

|TKO (Punches)

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:48

|For the Rizin Bantamweight Championship

Catchweight 57 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Tenshin Nasukawa

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|THA}} Kumandoi Petcharoenvit

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|9:00

|Kickboxing

Catchweight 68 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Mikuru Asakura

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Satoshi Yamasu

|KO (Head Kick and Punches)

|align=center|1

|align=center|4:20

|

Catchweight 75 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Takanori Gomi

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Koji Tanaka

|Decision (Majority)

|align=center|3

|align=center|9:00

|Special Standing Bout Rules

W.Super Atomweight 49 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Ayaka Hamasaki

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Miyuu Yamamoto

|Submission (Head Scissors Choke)

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:42

|For the Vacant Rizin Super Atomweight Championship

colspan="8" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000080; text-align: center;" | Intermission
Bantamweight 61 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Naoki Inoue

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuki Motoya

|Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:00

|

Catchweight 67 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kleber Koike Erbst

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|USA}} Kyle Aguon

|Technical Submission (Brabo Choke)

|align=center|1

|align=center|4:21

|

Catchweight 68 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kyohei Hagiwara

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Ren Hiramoto

|TKO (Corner Stoppage)

|align=center|2

|align=center|1:29

|

Bantamweight 61 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Hideo Tokoro

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Shinobu Ota

|Submission (Armbar)

|align=center|2

|align=center|2:23

|

colspan="8" style="background-color: #E6E8FA; color: #000080; text-align: center;" | Intermission
Catchweight 50 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Nadaka Yoshinari

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|THA}} Phetmalai Phetjaroenvit

|KO (Elbow)

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:19

|Kickboxing

Bantamweight 61 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Ulka Sasaki

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kenta Takizawa

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|

W.Super Atomweight 49 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kanna Asakura

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Ai Shimizu

|Decision (Unanimous)

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|

Openweight

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Atsushi Saito

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Hiroya Kawabe

|Submission (Armbar)

|align=center|2

|align=center|6:00

|Special Rules
originally a draw was overturned by Rizin officials

Catchweight 63 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kazuma Kuramoto

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Taiyo Nakahara

|KO (Soccer Kicks)

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:12

|

Heavyweight 120 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Tsuyoshi Sudario

|align=center|def.

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Ikuhisa Minowa

|TKO (Leg Injury)

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:17

|

W.Catchweight 52.7 kg

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Sakura Mori

|align=center| -

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Eru Takebayashi

|Submission (Armbar)

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:37

|No Contest due to Mori missing weight by 1.7 kg.

See also

References

{{Reflist}}