20 Clams ^
Rizin: Otoko Matsuri just went down from the 45,000 seat Tokyo Dome in Japan and it was a quality afternoon of JMMA featuring a few surprising appearances from some of the UFC’s biggest stars.
Originally scheduled as The Match 2 before Mikuru Asakura vs. Ren Hiramoto fell through, the event was rebranded as Otoko Matsuri aka Man’s Festival. And boy was there a lot of man on display from the start, with Rizin president Nobuyuki Sakakibara kicking things off in a ceremonial thong, followed by former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka showing up — also in nothing but a thong — to bang on a taiko drum.
Prochazka rose to fame in Rizin Fighting Federation’s 2015 heavyweight grand prix before eventually capturing the Rizin light heavyweight title in 2019. He’d relinquish the belt and move to UFC two fights later, and the rest is history.
Also in attendance: fellow former light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. “Poatan” is usually the man stealing the show but this time he was relatively subdued, appearing in the ring wearing a smart kimono blazer.
Ryan Bader hasn’t fought since losing to Renan Ferreira in a February 2024 PFL vs. Bellator event, but has been making waves due to his acting role in the upcoming Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson film The Smashing Machine, where Bader plays Mark Coleman. “The Master” appeared in ring with Sakakibara to announce his signing to Rizin. He’ll fight the winner of the promotion’s current Heavyweight Grand Prix at the end of the year.
Last but not least, Mark Coleman himself was in the house to enjoy the festivities. It’s great to see Mark happy and healthy after all the trials and tribulations of the past few years.
Razhabali Shaydullaev def. Kleber Koike Erbst via KO (punches) R1 1:02 for the Rizin Featherweight Championship
Mikuru Asakura def. Chihiro Suzuki via TKO (doctor stoppage) R3 1:56
Kyoma Akimoto def. Ryo Takagi via Decision (unanimous)
Kyohei Hagiwara def. Taisei Nishitani via KO (punch) R1 3:36
Mikio Ueda def. Shoma Shibisai via TKO (leg kicks) R1 1:03 (2025 Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal)
José Augusto Azevedo def. Tsuyoshi Sudario via Decision (unanimous) (2025 Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal)
Marek Samociuk def. Daniel James via Decision (unanimous) (2025 Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal)
Kouzi vs. Sina Karimian ends via Draw (time limit) (Rizin Special Standing bout - 8oz gloves vs 12oz gloves)
Makoto Takahashi def. Yuki Ito via Decision (unanimous)
Daisuke Nakamura def. Taisei Sakuraba via Submission (armbar) R2 2:01
Danny Sabatello def. Shinobu Ota via KO (punches) R3 0:20
Hiroya Kondo def. Tatsuki Shinotsuka via TKO (corner stoppage) R1 2:11
Takaki Soya def. John Dodson via Decision (unanimous)
Taio Asahisa def. Yoshiya Uzatsuyo via KO (head kick) R2 1:15 (Kickboxing bout)
Erson Yamamoto def. Daichi Tomizawa via Submission (face crank) R2 1:24
Joe Hiramoto def. Toki Tamaru via Decision (unanimous)
Yuga Nakaya def. Hiro Sasaki via Decision (unanimous) (Rizin MMA Special Rules — 2 5min rounds)
Vinicius Tsuchihashi Silveira def. Takao Ueda via Decision (unanimous) (Rizin MMA Special Rules — 2 5min rounds)
Futa Hashimoto def. Daichi Akahira via Decision (unanimous) (Kickboxing bout)
Watching now. I did not think Asakura would beat Suzuki going into this fight. He dominated! I’m a fan of both but happy to see Mikura get a much needed victory over a monster opponent. I thought Suzuki got robbed bad in his previous fight.