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Rizin Fighting Federation

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For the 2024 season, see 2024 in Rizin Fighting Federation.
Rizin Fighting Federation
Company typePrivate
IndustryMixed martial arts promotion
Founded2015; 9 years ago (2015)
FounderNobuyuki Sakakibara
Headquarters
Minato-ku, Tokyo
,
Japan
Key people
Nobuyuki Sakakibara
Nobuhiko Takada
ParentDream Factory Worldwide
Websiterizin.tv

Rizin Fighting Federation (stylised in all caps and also known as Rizin FF) is a Japanese mixed martial arts organization created in 2015 by the former Pride Fighting Championships and Dream Stage Entertainment president Nobuyuki Sakakibara.[1][2]

Founded to be the spiritual successor of Pride FC and Dream, Rizin carries much of the philosophy and ambition of its two predecessors: its events are promoted as larger-than-life events with elaborate opening ceremonies and fighter entrances, its matches are fought in a roped ring and it has a ruleset inherited from Pride and Dream. The organization also promotes "Grand Prix", single-elimination tournaments where fighters have to fight multiple opponents in the same night.[3][4] Rizin is considered Japan's top MMA promotion.[5]

Rizin has also promoted kickboxing matches, with two "Grand Prix" tournaments in 2017[6] and 2021.[7]

The promotion's name is a combination of "Raijin", the Japanese god of lightning; the word "rising", meaning "to prosper and thrive"; and the letter, 'Z', meaning "ultimate".[8]

History

[edit]

Background and formation

[edit]

In 1997, Pride Fighting Championships was founded in Japan, promoted by Dream Stage Entertainment. The organization quickly rose up to become the world's most popular MMA promotion and helped to popularize the sport in Japan and in the world. Pride differentiated itself from the UFC with its focus on spectacle and entertainment, as well a more permissive ruleset.[9] By 2007, a scandal alleging its ties to the yakuza caused a financial decline that lead to the promotion folding. Dream Stage Entertainment was bought by Zuffa—UFC's holding company—which initially promised to keep the event running. However, Zuffa would lay off most of Pride's staff with several Pride fighters moving to the UFC.[9]

After Pride folded, most of DSE's former staff, fighters and executives joined Fighting and Entertainment Group, the promoters of K-1, to organize a successor, which became known as Dream.[10] However, FEG would have its own financial issues and went bankrupt in 2012. As a result, Dream became defunct.[11]

Three years after Dream folded, rumors began circulating that Pride and Dream founder Nobuyuki Sakakibara would return to the industry after an interview with Bellator MMA President Scott Coker was released.[12] On September 19, 2015, during Bellator MMA & Glory: Dynamite 1, it was announced that Sakakibara had signed former Pride Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko to headline a New Year's Eve Show in Tokyo for his new MMA promotion.[13] Sakakibara held a press conference on October 8, 2015, with Nobuhiko Takada and other former Pride FC employees to formally announce the launch of "Rizin Fighting Federation".[14] Initial signees included Kazushi Sakuraba, Shinya Aoki, as well as female competitors Gabi Garcia and Rena Kubota.[15]

A Grand Prix tournament was announced (held at 100 kg or roughly 220 lbs), with champions and competitors from Bellator, KSW, Jungle Fight,[16] BAMMA, and King of Kings. Most notably, King Mo was announced to represent Bellator in the tournament.[17] The 8-man bracket was officially finalized on November 30, 2015, with other bouts also being announced shortly thereafter.[18][19][20][21] Kron Gracie (whose father Rickson competed at the inaugural PRIDE event) was announced to participate against Asen Yamamoto.[22] Amongst the veterans in the Japanese scene, Tsuyoshi Kosaka would face James Thompson,[23] and Akebono Tarō would face Bob Sapp.[24]

Initial plans were to do at least four events per year, as opposed to the more frequent scheduling of other promotions, in order to build up the excitement and anticipation.[25] Rizin's presentation is modeled after major sporting events, such as the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup.[26]

2018–present

[edit]

In 2018, it was announced that the main event for the traditional New Year's Eve card (Rizin 14) was going to be a boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and undefeated Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa.[27] The match ended up with Nasukawa knocked out two minutes into the first round.[28]

Rizin Trigger 1st, on November 11, 2021, would be Rizin's first event in which matches would take place inside a cage, instead of the traditional roped ring.[29]

In Summer 2022, Sakakibara would produce the Tenshin Nasukawa vs. Takeru PPV broadcast (known as "THE MATCH 2022"), with the broadcast using Rizin's on-air graphics and visual presentation.[30] Mayweather would return to Rizin that September to co-promote (via The Money Team) and headline the inaugural Super Rizin card.[31][32]

On December 31, 2022, as the traditional New Year's Eve event, Rizin hosted a crossover Bellator vs Rizin card with Bellator MMA as part of Rizin 40.[33] The card saw fighters from each promotion fight each other.[34] The card saw Bellator MMA fighters Gadzhi Rabadanov, former champions A.J. McKee, Juan Archuleta and Kyoji Horiguchi, and current champion Patricio Freire, fighting against Rizin representatives Koji Takeda, Soo Chul Kim, Hiromasa Ougikubo and champions Kleber Koike Erbst and Roberto de Souza. All five Bellator representatives would win their matches in a clean sweep.[35] During the event, former boxing world champion Manny Pacquiao made a public announcement that he had signed with Rizin for a boxing exhibition match against a yet-unannounced opponent.[36]

During the Super Rizin 2 card on July 30, 2023, the promotion announced their first international event, Rizin Landmark 7, to take place in Azerbaijan on November 4.[37] It will also be the first major MMA event to take place in the country.[38]

Broadcasting and coverage

[edit]

Rizin's inaugural event was broadcast in North America on Spike TV.[39] Other broadcasters have included SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, Fuji Television, Fox Sports Brazil, Kix and Match TV.[40] From 2017 to 2020, Rizin events have been streaming on FITE TV in North America and Europe.[41] Rizin 26 to Rizin 37 would stream on LIVENow in Europe and North America.[42]

In 2022, due to several controversies, Rizin would be dropped by Fuji by May of that year.[43][44] Rizin would since begin broadcasting on events via PPV on their streaming service, RIZIN STREAM PASS, and various other streaming platforms in Japan.[45]

Starting with Super Rizin & Rizin 38 in 2022,[46][47] Integrated Sports would produce English-language PPVs of Rizin events for FITE.[48]

In February 2024, Rizin announced the launch of a new international service, RIZIN.tv. From March, the service will be subscription-based, and will include past events.[49]

Weight classes

[edit]
Weight class name Upper limit Gender
Atomweight 47 kg (103.6 lb) Female
Super Atomweight 49 kg (108.0 lb) Female
Light Flyweight 53 kg (116.8 lb) Female
Flyweight 57 kg (125.7 lb) Male
Bantamweight 61 kg (134.5 lb) Male
Featherweight 66 kg (145.5 lb) Male
Lightweight 71 kg (156.5 lb) Male
Welterweight 77 kg (169.8 lb) Male
Middleweight 85 kg (187.4 lb) Male
Light Heavyweight 95 kg (209.4 lb) Male
Heavyweight 120 kg (264.6 lb) Male
Openweight No weight restriction Male / Female

Rules

[edit]

Mixed martial arts

[edit]

The rules in Rizin FF have been adopted from Pride FC with some slight modifications over the years. Matches are three rounds in length. Prior to May 2018, the first round of men's matches spanned 10 minutes, while the final two rounds lasted five minutes each. Since then matches have been three rounds of five minutes each. Victory can be attained by knockout, submission, technical knockout by referee stoppage, or by judges' decision.

All strikes, throws and chokes are permitted, with the exception of headbutts and strikes to the back of the head, medulla oblongata, spinal cord or genitals.[50] Soccer kicks, knees and stomps to grounded opponents are also permitted. However, if there is a weight discrepancy of 15 kg (33 lb) or more, the lighter fighter is allowed to choose if such ground attacks are permitted.[50] Unlike Pride, Rizin allows the use of elbow strikes, including the 12–6 elbow.[51]

Judging criteria

[edit]

Fights are judged on the following criteria:[50]

  • Damage: when assessing damage, both striking and grappling are given the same weight. The judges will place value on the extent to which the effective striking or grappling 'influences the match' - in other words, whether there was such damage/advantage to the fighter which would have led to the fight being ended by the opponent tapping out or being knocked out.
  • Aggressiveness: the judges will consider which fighter was more effective in delivering attacks which may end the fight in a finish. Note this element does not take into consideration the actual impact of damage caused by the fighter's strikes, throws or submission. Rather, the judges will place value on whether fighters were aggressive and proactive in their approach during the fight.
  • Generalship: the judges will consider which fighter was more effective in dominating the pace, place and position of the fight. Judges will also consider the amount of time spent in a ground position or the standing position.

Although not outlined in the Rizin rules, scorecards published on the JMOC website suggest that damage, aggressiveness and generalship are scored 50, 30 and 20 points respectively. Where the fighter has not fulfilled the element, they are given a score of zero - there are no in-betweens.[51]

Kickboxing

[edit]

Rizin kickboxing matches are three rounds of three minutes each. Victory can be attained by knockout, technical knockout by referee stoppage, or by judges' decision. If the match goes the distance, a 10-point system is used to judge.[50] Three knockdowns in a single round will result in a technical knockout.[50] All forms of elbow strikes are illegal.[50]

List of Rizin FF events

[edit]
Main articles: 2024 in Rizin Fighting Federation, 2023 in Rizin Fighting Federation, 2022 in Rizin Fighting Federation, 2021 in Rizin Fighting Federation, 2020 in Rizin Fighting Federation, 2019 in Rizin Fighting Federation, 2018 in Rizin Fighting Federation, 2017 in Rizin Fighting Federation, 2016 in Rizin Fighting Federation, and 2015 in Rizin Fighting Federation
# Event Date Venue Location Attendance
63 Super Rizn 3 July 28, 2024 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Japan
62 Rizin Landmark 9 March 23, 2024 World Memorial Hall Japan Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan
61 Rizin Landmark 8 February 24, 2024 Saga Arena Japan Saga, Japan 7,758
60 Rizin 45 December 31, 2023 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Japan 23,013
59 Rizin Landmark 7 November 4, 2023 National Gymnastics Arena Azerbaijan Baku, Azerbaijan
58 Rizin Landmark 6 October 1, 2023 Dolphins Arena Japan Nagoya, Aichi, Japan 7,017
57 Rizin 44 September 24, 2023 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Japan 11,681
56 Super Rizin 2: Rizin X Bellator July 30, 2023 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Japan 24,264
55 Rizin 43 – Sapporo June 24, 2023 Makomanai Ice Arena Japan Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan 8,510
54 Rizin 42 May 6, 2023 Ariake Arena Japan Tokyo, Japan 14,930
53 Rizin Landmark 5 April 29, 2023 Yoyogi National Gymnasium Japan Tokyo, Japan 13,837
52 Rizin 41 – Osaka April 1, 2023 Maruzen Intec Arena Japan Osaka, Japan 9,987
51 Rizin 40 & Rizin vs Bellator December 31, 2022 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Japan 23,661
50 Rizin Landmark 4 November 6, 2022 Dolphins Arena Japan Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
49 Rizin 39 October 23, 2022 Marine Messe Fukuoka Japan Fukuoka, Japan
48 Super Rizin & Rizin 38 September 25, 2022 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Saitama, Japan
47 Rizin 37 - Saitama July 31, 2022 11,166
46 Rizin 36 - Okinawa July 7, 2022 Okinawa Arena Japan Okinawa, Japan 7,264
45 The Match 2022 June 19, 2022 Tokyo Dome Japan Tokyo, Japan 56,399
44 Rizin Landmark 3 May 5, 2022 — Japan Japan —
43 Rizin 35 April 17, 2022 Musashino Forest Sport Plaza Japan Chōfu, Tokyo, Japan 8,935
42 Rizin Trigger 3 April 16, 2022 6,515
41 Rizin 34 – Osaka March 20, 2022 Maruzen Intec Arena Japan Osaka, Japan 22,449
40 Rizin Landmark 2 March 6, 2022 — Japan Japan —
39 Rizin Trigger 2 February 23, 2022 Ecopa Arena Japan Fukuroi, Shizuoka, Japan —
38 Rizin 33 - Saitama December 31, 2021 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Japan 22,499
37 Rizin Trigger 1 November 28, 2021 World Memorial Hall Japan Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan 4,025
36 Rizin 32 - Okinawa November 20, 2021 Okinawa Arena Japan Okinawa, Japan 4,771
35 Rizin 31 - Yokohama October 24, 2021 Pia Arena MM Japan Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan 7,580
34 Rizin Landmark Vol. 1 October 2, 2021 — Japan Tokyo, Japan ~90
33 Rizin 30 – Saitama September 19, 2021 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Japan 7,580
32 Rizin 29 – Osaka June 27, 2021 Maruzen Intec Arena Japan Osaka, Japan 4,796
31 Rizin 28 – Tokyo June 13, 2021 Tokyo Dome Japan Tokyo, Japan 9,317
30 Rizin 27 – Nagoya March 21, 2021 Nippon Gaishi Hall Japan Nagoya, Aichi, Japan 4,558
29 Rizin 26 – Saitama December 31, 2020 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Japan 9,978
28 Rizin 25 – Osaka November 21, 2020 Osaka-jō Hall Japan Osaka, Japan 5,487
27 Rizin 24 – Saitama September 27, 2020 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Japan 5,000
26 Rizin 23 - Calling Over August 10, 2020 Pia Arena MM Japan Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan 4,410
25 Rizin 22 - Starting Over August 9, 2020 2,805
24 Rizin 21 - Hamamatsu February 22, 2020 Hamamatsu Arena Japan Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan 6,832
23 Rizin 20 - Saitama December 31, 2019 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Japan 29,315[52]
22 Rizin 19 - Osaka October 12, 2019 Edion Arena Japan Osaka, Japan 5,098
21 Rizin 18 - Nagoya August 18, 2019 Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium Japan Nagoya, Aichi, Japan 6,281
20 Rizin 17 - Saitama July 28, 2019 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Saitama, Japan 16,930
19 Rizin 16 - Kobe June 2, 2019 World Memorial Hall Japan Kobe, Hyōgo, Japan 8,107
18 Rizin 15 - Yokohama April 21, 2019 Yokohama Arena Japan Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan 12,914
17 Rizin 14 - Saitama December 31, 2018 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Japan 29,105[53]
16 Rizin - Heisei's Last Yarennoka! December 31, 2018 7,498[54]
15 Rizin 13 - Saitama September 30, 2018 27,208
14 Rizin 12 - Aichi - Ken August 12, 2018 Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium Japan Nagoya, Aichi, Japan 5,567
13 Rizin 11 - Saitama July 29, 2018 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Japan 17,912
12 Rizin 10 - Fukuoka May 6, 2018 Marine Messe Fukuoka Japan Fukuoka, Japan 7,910
11 Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Final Round December 31, 2017 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Japan 18,316
10 Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round December 29, 2017 15,539
9 Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Opening Round - Part 2 October 15, 2017 Marine Messe Fukuoka Japan Fukuoka, Japan 7,732
8 Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Opening Round - Part 1 July 30, 2017 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Japan 17,730
7 Rizin 2017 in Yokohama: Sakura April 16, 2017 Yokohama Arena Japan Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan 12,729
6 Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: Final Round December 31, 2016 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Japan 19,357
5 Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 2nd Round December 29, 2016 16,642
4 Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: 1st Round September 25, 2016 15,011
3 Rizin 1 April 17, 2016 Nippon Gaishi Hall Japan Nagoya, Aichi, Japan 7,291
2 Rizin World Grand Prix 2015: Part 2 - Iza December 31, 2015 Saitama Super Arena Japan Saitama, Japan 18,365
1 Rizin World Grand Prix 2015: Part 1 - Saraba December 29, 2015 12,214

Current champions

[edit]
Division Champion Since Defenses
Lightweight Brazil Roberto de Souza June 13, 2021 3
Featherweight Japan Chihiro Suzuki November 4, 2023 0
Bantamweight Japan Naoki Inoue September 29, 2024 0
Flyweight Japan Kyoji Horiguchi December 31, 2023 0
Women's Super Atomweight Japan Seika Izawa April 17, 2022 1

Championship history

[edit]

Light Heavyweight Championship

[edit]
Weight limit: 95 kg (209.4 lb)
No. Name Event Date Reign
(total) 		Defenses
1 Czech Republic Jiří Procházka
def. Muhammed Lawal 		Rizin 15
Yokohama, Japan 		Apr 21, 2019 269 days

1. def. C. B. Dollaway at Rizin 20 on Dec 31, 2019

Procházka vacated the title on January 15, 2020 after he signed with UFC.[55]

Lightweight Championship

[edit]
Weight limit: 71 kg (156.5 lb)
No. Name Event Date Reign
(total) 		Defenses
1 Brazil Roberto de Souza
def. Tofiq Musayev 		Rizin 28
Tokyo, Japan 		Jun 13, 2021 1,287 days
(incumbent)

1. def. Yusuke Yachi at Rizin 33 on Dec 31, 2021
2. def. Johnny Case at Rizin 35 on Apr 17, 2022
3. def. Luiz Gustavo at Rizin 48 on Sep 29, 2024

Featherweight Championship

[edit]
Weight limit: 66 kg (145.5 lb)
No. Name Event Date Reign
(total) 		Defenses
1 Japan Yutaka Saito
def. Mikuru Asakura 		Rizin 25
Osaka, Japan 		Nov 21, 2020 337 days
2 Japan Juntaro Ushiku Rizin 31
Yokohama, Japan 		Oct 24, 2021 364 days

1. def. Yutaka Saito at Rizin 35 on April 17, 2022

3 Japan Kleber Koike Erbst Rizin 39
Fukuoka, Japan 		Oct 23, 2022 243 days
Koike was stripped of the title on June 23, 2023 after failing to make weight for his title defense against Chihiro Suzuki at Rizin 43.[56]
4 Azerbaijan Vugar Karamov
def. Mikuru Asakura 		Super Rizin 2
Saitama, Japan 		Jul 30, 2023 97 days
5 Japan Chihiro Suzuki Rizin Landmark 7
Baku, Azerbaijan 		Nov 4, 2023 413 days
(incumbent)

1. def. Masanori Kanehara at Rizin 46 on Apr 29, 2024

Bantamweight Championship

[edit]
Weight limit: 61 kg (134.5 lb)
No. Name Event Date Reign
(total) 		Defenses
1 Japan Kyoji Horiguchi
def. Darrion Caldwell 		Rizin 14
Saitama, Japan 		Dec 31, 2018 318 days
Horiguchi vacated the title on November 14, 2019 after he was unable to defend the title due to injury.[57]
2 Angola Manel Kape
def. Kai Asakura 		Rizin 20
Saitama, Japan 		Dec 31, 2019 92 days
Kape vacated the title on April 1, 2020 after he signed with the UFC.[58]
3 Japan Kai Asakura
def. Hiromasa Ougikubo 		Rizin 23
Yokohama, Japan 		Aug 10, 2020 143 days
4 Japan Kyoji Horiguchi (2) Rizin 26
Saitama, Japan 		Dec 31, 2020 730 days
Horiguchi vacated the title on December 31, 2022 after he moved down to Flyweight.
5 United States Juan Archuleta
def. Hiromasa Ougikubo 		Super Rizin 2
Saitama, Japan 		Jul 30, 2023 154 days
Archuleta was stripped of the title on December 31, 2023 after failing to make weight for his title defense against Kai Asakura at Rizin 45.[59]
6 Japan Kai Asakura (2)
def. Juan Archuleta 		Rizin 45
Saitama, Japan 		Dec 31, 2023 161 days
Asakura vacated the title on June 9, 2024 after he signed with the UFC.[60]
7 Japan Naoki Inoue
def. Kim Soo-chul 		Rizin 48
Saitama, Japan 		Sep 29, 2024 83 days
(incumbent)

Flyweight Championship

[edit]
Weight limit: 57 kg (125.7 lb)
No. Name Event Date Reign
(total) 		Defenses
1 Japan Kyoji Horiguchi
def. Makoto Takahashi 		Rizin 45
Saitama, Japan 		Dec 31, 2023 356 days
(incumbent)

Women's Super Atomweight Championship

[edit]
Weight limit: 49 kg (108.0 lb)
No. Name Event Date Reign
(total) 		Defenses
1 Japan Ayaka Hamasaki
def. Kanna Asakura 		Rizin 14
Saitama, Japan 		Dec 31, 2018 365 days

1. def. Jinh Yu Frey at Rizin 16 on Jun 2, 2019

2 South Korea Ham Seo-hee Rizin 20
Saitama, Japan 		Dec 31, 2019 293 days
On October 19, Seo Hee Ham vacated her title after being unable to agree on her next fight with the organization and signed with ONE Championship.[61]
3 Japan Ayaka Hamasaki (2)
def. Miyuu Yamamoto 		Rizin 26
Saitama, Japan 		Dec 31, 2020 1,451 days

1. def. Kanna Asakura at Rizin 27 on Mar 21, 2021

4 Japan Seika Izawa Rizin 35
Chōfu, Japan 		Apr 17, 2022 979 days
(incumbent)

1. def. Claire Lopez at Super Rizin 2 on Jul 30, 2023

Grand-Prix Champions

[edit]

Mixed martial arts

[edit]
Event Date Division Winner Runner-up
Rizin World Grand Prix 2015: Part 2 - Iza Dec 31, 2015 Heavyweight United States Muhammed Lawal Czech Republic Jiří Procházka
Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: Final Round Dec 31, 2016 Openweight Croatia Mirko Cro Cop Iran Amir Aliakbari
Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Final Round Dec 31, 2017 Bantamweight Japan Kyoji Horiguchi Japan Shintaro Ishiwatari
Women's Super Atomweight Japan Kanna Asakura Japan Rena Kubota
Rizin 20 Dec 31, 2019 Lightweight Azerbaijan Tofiq Musayev Brazil Patricky Pitbull
Rizin 33 Dec 31, 2021 Bantamweight Japan Hiromasa Ougikubo Japan Kai Asakura
Rizin 40 Dec 31, 2022 Women's Super Atomweight Japan Seika Izawa South Korea Park Si-woo

Kickboxing

[edit]
Event Date Division Winner Runner-up
Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Final Round Dec 31, 2017 Flyweight Japan Tenshin Nasukawa Japan Yamato Fujita
Rizin 29 Jun 27, 2021 Bantamweight Japan Taiju Shiratori Japan Kouzi

Records

[edit]

Most wins in title bouts

[edit]
Title wins Champion Division W D NC L
4 Japan Ayaka Hamasaki Super Atomweight 4 0 0 2
3 Brazil Roberto de Souza Lightweight 3 0 0 0
Japan Kyoji Horiguchi Bantamweight
Flyweight 		2
1 		0
0 		0
0 		0
0
2 Japan Kai Asakura Bantamweight 2 0 0 2
Japan Juntaro Ushiku Featherweight 2 0 0 1
Japan Seika Izawa Super Atomweight 2 0 0 0

Most consecutive title defenses

[edit]
Defenses Champion Division Period
2 Brazil Roberto de Souza Lightweight June 13, 2021 – present
1 Japan Ayaka Hamasaki Women's Super Atomweight December 31, 2018 – December 31, 2019
Czech Republic Jiří Procházka Light Heavyweight April 21, 2019 – January 15, 2020
Japan Ayaka Hamasaki Women's Super Atomweight December 31, 2020 – April 17, 2022
Japan Juntaro Ushiku Featherweight October 24, 2021 – October 23, 2022
Japan Seika Izawa Women's Super Atomweight April 17, 2022 – present

Multi-division champions

[edit]
Interim title
No. Champion Division Won Lost Defenses Reign Total Reign
1 Japan Kyoji Horiguchi Bantamweight Dec 31, 2018
(Rizin 14) 		Nov 14, 2019
(vacated) 		0 318 days 1404 days
Dec 31, 2020
(Rizin 26) 		Dec 31, 2022
(vacated) 		0 730 days
Flyweight Dec 31, 2023
(Rizin 45) 		present 0 356 days

Champions by nationality

[edit]

The division champions include only linear and true champions. Interim champions who have never become linear champions will be listed as interim champions. Fighters with multiple title reigns in a specific division will also be counted once. Runners-up are not included in tournaments champions.

Country Division
champions		 Interim
champions		 Tournaments
champions		 Total
 Japan 9 - 4 13
 Azerbaijan 1 - 1 2
 United States 1 - 1 2
 Angola 1 - - 1
 Brazil 1 - - 1
 Czech Republic 1 - - 1
 South Korea 1 - - 1
 Croatia - - 1 1

Notable fighters

[edit]
Main article: List of current Rizin FF fighters

Affiliated organizations

[edit]

Rizin FF is affiliated with the following organizations:[62]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Nobuyuki Sakakibara discusses Rizin FF plans for 2016, Fedor Emelianenko's opponent, drug testing and more". MMA Fighting. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-25.
  2. ^ "Former Pride FC boss: Fedor's opponent will mean something for future of MMA". Bloody Elbow. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-25.
  3. ^ "'New PRIDE' to be called Rizin Fighting Federation » MixedMartialArts.com". Mma Underground. 2015-10-08. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  4. ^ Rondina, Steven. "Pride Never Die: Rizin FF Instantly Becomes Compelling UFC Alternative". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  5. ^ Zivanovic, Tomislav (2020-11-11). "Best MMA Promotions Outside the UFC (Top 7)". Martial Arts Unleashed. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  6. ^ "RIZIN Fighting World Grand Prix 2017: Final Round | MMA & Kickboxing Event". Tapology. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  7. ^ Bowker, Dylan (2021-05-03). "Rizin 29 Kickboxing Tournament: all participants announced". MyMMANews. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  8. ^ "Concept". rizinff.com. Retrieved 2020-10-06.
  9. ^ a b Snowden, Jonathan. "Sex, Drugs, Gangsters and MMA: Remembering Pride, UFC's Wild Predecessor". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  10. ^ "K-1's new Dream includes Cro Cop". Mma Weekly. February 13, 2008. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved February 25, 2009.
  11. ^ FEG's bankruptcy, May 17, 2012, Muay Thai TV
  12. ^ "Scott Coker: Former PRIDE boss Nobuyuki Sakakibara planning MMA return in 2015". mmafighting.com. 2 April 2015. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  13. ^ Fedor Emelianenko Returns To MMA On New Year's Eve
  14. ^ RIZIN Japan - What We Can Expect From The Newcomer
  15. ^ "Long after his prime, Kazushi Sakuraba is in the position to save Japanese MMA". mmafighting.com. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  16. ^ "Newly crowned Jungle Fight champion enters Rizin FF heavyweight tournament". mmafighting.com. 25 October 2015. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  17. ^ "'King Mo' to represent Bellator in Rizin light heavyweight grand prix". mmafighting.com. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  18. ^ "Rizin announces heavyweight tournament bracket". mmafighting.com. 30 November 2015. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  19. ^ "Muhammed 'King Mo' Lawal lands opponent at RIZIN FF". mmafighting.com. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  20. ^ "Bellator fighter Brennan Ward, additional mixed-rules fight announced for Rizin debut". mmafighting.com. 10 December 2015. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  21. ^ "Jerome LeBanner returns to MMA at Rizin". mmafighting.com. 14 December 2015. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  22. ^ "Kron Gracie added to Rizin FF card in December". mmafighting.com. 9 November 2015. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  23. ^ "Fedor Emelianenko still without an opponent, Tsuyoshi Kosaka to face James Thompson at Rizin". mmafighting.com. 22 November 2015. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  24. ^ "Rizin signs Sapp vs. Akebono rematch for its debut". mmafighting.com. 28 November 2015. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  25. ^ "Nobuyuki Sakakibara discusses Rizin FF plans for 2016, Fedor Emelianenko's opponent, drug testing and more". mmafighting.com. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 2018-07-22.
  26. ^ "Concept". rizinff.com. 14 October 2015. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  27. ^ Brady, James (2018-11-04). "Floyd Mayweather Jr. says he never agreed to face undefeated kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa". SBNation.com. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  28. ^ "Mayweather-Nasukawa a laughable event". ESPN. 2018-12-31. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  29. ^ "Rizin to Stage First Event in Cage on Nov. 28 Titled Rizin 'Trigger 1st'". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  30. ^ 天心と武尊が改めて会見、ルール、テレビ中継ほか決定 eFIGHT 2022年4月7日
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  36. ^ "Manny Pacquiao assina com Rizin para luta de exibição em 2023". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). January 2023. Retrieved 2023-01-01.
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  39. ^ Video:Fedor: Return Of The Last Emperor
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  44. ^ MATCH】フジテレビが”放送中止”を発表「主催者側との契約に至らず」 - eFight【イーファイト】格闘技情報を毎日配信！; May 31, 2022
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