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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