Rizin FF 27: Ayaka Hamasaki edges split-decision verdict to retain super atomweight title in Nagoya

Super atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki held on to her title by the slimmest of margins after earning a split-decision win at Rizin FF 27.

[autotag]Ayaka Hamasaki[/autotag] was pushed to the limit in her rematch against [autotag]Kanna Asakura[/autotag], but did just enough to earn the split-decision verdict from the ringside judges as she retained her Rizin FF super atomweight title by the slimmest of margins in Nagoya, Japan.

Hamasaki’s title bout with Asakura was the main event of Rizin FF 27, and saw the champion hang on to title after a grueling three round battle at Nippongaishi Hall.

After the fight was paused in the opening seconds for an accidental low blow, the action resumed with both women engaging in a wild exchange that eventually saw the action move to the canvas, with the champion on top.

Hamasaki (22-3) landed a pair of powerful knees to her downed opponent, but Asakura (18-5) showed her grit by battling to her feet, before picking up the champion and slamming her powerfully into the canvas.

Round 2 saw Asakura push the pace as she forced Hamasaki onto her back and set to work from the champion’s guard. But Hamasaki defended well and threatened with an armbar off her back before eventually escaping and returning to her feet. Asakura wouldn’t be denied, however, and after taking Hamasaki to the mat again, the challenger moved into mount and rained down a salvo of strikes as the bell sounded to save the champion from a TKO defeat.

After a cagey start to the final round, Asakura landed a takedown and pushed for a finish, but Hamasaki had successes of her own through the final stanza, as she attempted to snatch a final-round submission from the challenger with a standing armbar in the corner.

Neither athlete could make the crucial breakthrough, however, as the bout went to the judges, with Hamasaki hanging on to her title via split decision.

Rizin FF 27: Sumo wrestler throws hands, scores fastest knockout in promotional history

Sumo wrestler-turned-MMA fighter Tsuyoshi Sudario delivered a thunderous right hand to claim the fastest knockout in Rizin FF history.

The fight card at Rizin FF 27 produced a feast of finishes in Nagoya, Japan, but the fighter who stole the show was heavyweight sumo wrestler [autotag]Tsuyoshi Sudario[/autotag], who registered his third straight win in MMA competition with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it knockout of debutant [autotag]Kazushi Miyamoto[/autotag].

Sudario (3-0) probably wasn’t looking to score such a fast KO, but Miyamoto (0-1) forced his hand by charging across the ring from the opening bell. Sudario swung with a big right hand that slowed his opponent’s charge, then wound up and unloaded another that landed flush on Miyamoto’s chin and dropped him to the canvas. Miyamoto quickly bounced back up, but was met by another thunderous right that starched him instantly as the referee dived in.

The on-screen clock was only at eight seconds when the official dived in to stop the fight, but Rizin’s official social media account stated the win was timed at six seconds, securing Sudario the record for the fastest knockout in promotional history.

Check out Sudario’s finish here as the big man scored a big knockout to claim his third first-round finish in three fights.

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Rizin FF 27 live results

The women’s super atomweight title is on the line as Ayaka Hamasaki looks to defend her title at Rizin FF 27 in Nagoya, Japan.

The women’s super atomweight title is on the line as Japanese promotion Rizin FF returns for Rizin FF 27 in Nagoya, Japan.

Defending champion [autotag]Ayaka Hamasaki [/autotag]wil take center stage in the main event when she puts her title on the line against challenger [autotag]Kanna Asakura[/autotag]. Two-time champ Hamasaki (21-3) captured the promotion’s vacant 108-pound title by defeating Asakura at Rizin FF 14 on New Year’s Eve, 2018, but lost her title to South Korea’s Seo Hee Ham in her third title defense at Rizin FF 20 a year later.

Hamasaki bounced back with a submission victory over Tomo Maesawa at Rizin FF 22 to set up another shot at the vacant title at Rizin FF 26, where she submitted Miyuu Yamamoto in the first round via leg scissors to reclaim the title.

Now Hamasaki will take on Asakura (18-4) once again, with the challenger heading into the rematch riding a four-fight winning streak.

Since her defeat to Hamasaki in 2018, Asakura has defeated Alesha Zappitella, Jayme Hinshaw, Mizuki Furuse and Ai Shimizu to push her back to the top of the contender list at 108 pounds.

The co-main event features Japan-based Brazilian grappler [autotag]Roberto de Souza[/autotag] (10-1), who will take on Japanese veteran and former lightweight King of Pancrase [autotag]Kazuki Tokudome[/autotag] (20-10-1).

Rizin FF 27 results include:

  • Champ Ayaka Hamasaki vs. Kanna Asakura – for women’s super atomweight title
  • Roberto de Souza vs. Kazuki Tokudome
  • Takasuke Kume vs. Koji Takeda
  • Kleber Koike Erbst def. Kazumasa Majima via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 3:02
  • Tsuyoshi Sudario def. Kazushi Miyamoto via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:08
  • Yoshinori Horie def. Tetsuya Seki via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:16
  • Hiroki Yamashita def. Kazuma Sone via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:27
  • Shooto Watanabe def. Takumi Tamaru via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 4:13
  • Yutaro Muramoto def. Seigo Yamamoto via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:37
  • Yuki Ito def. Kohei Sugiyama via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:33

Rizin FF 27: Ayaka Hamasaki, Kanna Asakura set for title rematch in Nagoya

A battle for the women’s super atomweight title tops the list of confirmed fights at Rizin FF 27 in Nagoya, Japan.

Japanese promotion Rizin FF has announced eight bouts for its next event, with a battle for the women’s super atomweight title at the top of the card.

Rizin FF 27 takes place Sunday, March 21 at Nippon Gaishi Hall in Nagoya, Japan. The event streams live via Rizin Live PPV.

Topping the list of confirmed bouts is a super atomweight title rematch between defending champion [autotag]Ayaka Hamasaki[/autotag] and former foe [autotag]Kanna Asakura[/autotag].

Two-time champ Hamasaki (21-3) captured the promotion’s vacant 108-pound title by defeating Asakura at Rizin FF 14 on New Year’s Eve, 2018, but lost her title to South Korea’s Seo Hee Ham in her third title defense at Rizin FF 20 a year later.

Hamasaki bounced back with a submission victory over Tomo Maesawa at Rizin FF 22 to set up another shot at the vacant title at Rizin FF 26, where she submitted Miyuu Yamamoto in the first round via leg scissors to reclaim the title.

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Now Hamasaki will take on Asakura (18-4) once again, with the challenger heading into the rematch riding a four-fight winning streak.

Since her defeat to Hamasaki in 2018, Asakura has defeated Alesha Zappitella, Jayme Hinshaw, Mizuki Furuse and Ai Shimizu to push her back to the top of the contenders list at 108 pounds.

Also set for action on the card include Japan-based Brazilian grappler [autotag]Roberto de Souza[/autotag] (10-1), who will take on Japanese veteran and former lightweight King of Pancrase [autotag]Kazuki Tokudome[/autotag] (20-10-1).

Confirmed bouts for Rizin FF 27 include:

  • Champ Ayaka Hamasaki vs. Kanna Asakura – for super atomweight title
  • Roberto Souza vs. Kazuki Tokudome
  • Takasuke Kume vs. Koji Takeda
  • Kleber Koike vs. Kazumasa Majima
  • Yutaro Muramoto vs. Seigo Yamamoto
  • Kazushi Miramoto vs. Tsuyoshi Sudario
  • Keisuke Horie vs. Tetsuya Seki
  • Takumi Tamaru vs. Shooto Watanabe
  • Kazuma Sone vs. Hiroki Yamashita
  • Yuki Ito vs. Kohei Sugiyama

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