Tag: RIZIN FF 22

Rizin FF 22 live results

Follow the results as they happen with MMA Junkie’s live coverage of Rizin FF 22 in Yokohama, Japan.

Yokohama’s Pia Arena plays host to the first of two back-to-back events as Japanese promotion Rizin FF makes its return to action following the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Taglined “Starting Over,” the show boasts a nine-fight card, featuring seven MMA bouts.

The main event features a 157-pound battle between Brazilian fan-favorite [autotag]Roberto de Souza[/autotag] who is looking to bounce back to winning ways following his elimination from the promotion’s lightweight grand prix at Rizin FF 19 last October. He’ll face [autotag]Yusuke Yachi[/autotag], who snapped a three-fight losing run in Rizin FF when he defeated Hiroto Uesako at Bellator 237 last December.

The co-main event features the return of former Rizin FF women’s super atomweight champion [autotag]Ayaka Hamasaki[/autotag], who is looking to bounce straight back into title contention after losing her title to Seo Hee Ham at Rizin FF 20 on New Year’s Eve last year. She’s facing [autotag]Tomo Maesawa[/autotag], who is looking to mark her second appearance in the Rizin FF ring with a victory after capturing the Deep Jewels atomweight title in October last year.

Rizin FF 22 live results include:

  • Roberto de Souza vs. Yusuke Yachi
  • Ayaka Hamasaki vs. Tomo Maesawa
  • Kanna Kasakura vs. Mizuki Furuse
  • Naoki Inoue vs. Shooto Watanabe
  • Kouya Kanda vs. Tetsuya Seki
  • Kyohei Hagiwara vs. Rikuto Shirakawa
  • Kenji Kato vs. Erson Yamamoto

RIZIN FF announces arena return with August double-header in Yokohama

RIZIN FF 22 and 23 will take place in Yokohama with a half-filled arena as the Japanese promotion returns to fan-attended events.

Japanese promotion RIZIN FF is returning to action in August with a double-header in Yokohama and a pair of title fights already booked.

RIZIN FF 22 and RIZIN FF 23 – dubbed “Starting Over” and “Calling Over” respectively – will take place at the Pia Arena in Yokohoma. The events will take place with fans in attendance, with the arena operating at 50% capacity to allow for social distancing.

The headline fight of the weekend will see [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag] take on [autotag]Hiromasa Ogikubo[/autotag] for the vacant bantamweight title. The fight represents Asakura’s second consecutive shot at the bantamweight bout after he was knocked out by Manel Kape in their battle for the vacant belt at RIZIN FF 20. Kape has since departed RIZIN to join the UFC, leaving the title up for grabs once again, and Asakura is determined to take full advantage.

He’ll take on 33-year-old Ogikubo, who defeated Shintaro Ishiwatari via split decision in a thriller at RIZIN FF 20 to position himself for a shot at the title. The former Shooto flyweight champion and finalist of The Ultimate Fighter Season 24 “Tournament of Champions” is now competing 10 pounds heavier and hoping to capture the RIZIN title in only his third fight for the promotion.

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Set to star at RIZIN FF 22 is Brazilian grappler [autotag]Roberto Satoshi Souza[/autotag], who will take on the [autotag]Yachi Yusuke[/autotag] in a lightweight showcase bout.

Souza’s last MMA outing saw hm finished by America’s Johnny Case in the first round of their quarterfinal clash in the RIZIN lightweight grand prix. He has since showcased his submission skills in a one-versus-five elimination challenge at RIZIN FF 21.

Now he returns to action against Yusuke, who rebounded from a three-fight skid with a resounding soccer-kick KO victory over Hrito Uesako at the co-promoted Bellator 237 event in Saitama last December.

RIZIN FF 22 bouts include:

  • Robert Satoshi Souza vs. Yusuke Yachi
  • Kanna Asakura vs. Mizuki Furuse
  • Naokei Inoue vs. Shooto Watanabe
  • Tetsuya Seki vs. Yojiro Uchimura

RIZIN FF 23 bouts include:

  • Kai Asakura vs. Hromasa Ogikubo
  • Yuki Motoya vs. Mamoru Uoi
  • Kazumasa Majima vs. Yuyaka Saito
  • Seiichiro Ito vs. Makoto Takahashi