Kazushi Sakuraba (26-16-2) vs. Shinya Aoki (38-6)
The "Gracie Hunter," Japanese legend, and one of MMAFO's favorite fighters of all time, Kazushi Sakuraba, is returning to MMA action for the 1st time in 4 years! There is nothing this 1st ballot Hall of Famer would not due for his homeland and is competing at the age of 46 to help the new fledgling Japanese MMA promotion succeed. Sakuraba has had 44 professional bouts and the wars back in Pride FC from 2001 to 2005 were absolutely brutal as the 160 lb. wrestler would fight all the way up at Heavyweight with complete abandon for his safety. Kazushi is a famed grappler but at this time in his life, he is just seeking to pass the torch to a lil' shit of a guy who has an enormous lack of respect for opponents in Aoki.
Shinya was the heir apparent to Sakuraba 5 years ago, and though he has continued to dominate in Japan, the "Tobikan Judan" has never committed to facing the best in the world instead opting to stay in his comfort zone in the far East. A far cry from the devil may care approach of the far superior Kazushi. Even so, Shinya has been a highly successful MMA fighter and is currently the best Japan has to offer the world.
There is nothing left to prove for Kazushi Sakuraba and this is hopefully the opportunity he has needed to properly retire from the sport he helped create so long ago. Aoki no doubt wins this contest but that is not the point. We are here to celebrate Kazushi Sakuraba's life and career!
WINNER-Shinya Aoki by Decision
Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix Opening Round
The "Gracie Hunter," Japanese legend, and one of MMAFO's favorite fighters of all time, Kazushi Sakuraba, is returning to MMA action for the 1st time in 4 years! There is nothing this 1st ballot Hall of Famer would not due for his homeland and is competing at the age of 46 to help the new fledgling Japanese MMA promotion succeed. Sakuraba has had 44 professional bouts and the wars back in Pride FC from 2001 to 2005 were absolutely brutal as the 160 lb. wrestler would fight all the way up at Heavyweight with complete abandon for his safety. Kazushi is a famed grappler but at this time in his life, he is just seeking to pass the torch to a lil' shit of a guy who has an enormous lack of respect for opponents in Aoki.
Shinya was the heir apparent to Sakuraba 5 years ago, and though he has continued to dominate in Japan, the "Tobikan Judan" has never committed to facing the best in the world instead opting to stay in his comfort zone in the far East. A far cry from the devil may care approach of the far superior Kazushi. Even so, Shinya has been a highly successful MMA fighter and is currently the best Japan has to offer the world.
There is nothing left to prove for Kazushi Sakuraba and this is hopefully the opportunity he has needed to properly retire from the sport he helped create so long ago. Aoki no doubt wins this contest but that is not the point. We are here to celebrate Kazushi Sakuraba's life and career!
WINNER-Shinya Aoki by Decision
Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix Opening Round
Satoshi Ishii (14-4-1) vs. Jiri Prochazka (14-2-1)
Once upon a time, Ishii could do no wrong winning Olympic gold in Judo and becoming a national star in Japan. Satoshi then moved into MMA where he faced the retiring legend Hidehiko Yoshida to signify Ishii was the future and give a proper send off to then man who proceeded in winning Olympic gold in the same sport years earlier. Then reality set in. Anytime Satoshi fought an opponent of note, he lost. Ishii has amassed a decent record fight tomato cans but has just never crossed over into that elite status of his predecessors.
"Denisa" has won 8 straight fights and is a notable striker from the Czech Republic. Jiri has finished every single opponent he has faced in MMA with his creative striking style.
WINNER-Satoshi Ishii by Decision
Goran Reljic (15-5) vs. Vadim Nemkov (3-0)
The "Croation Ghost" is coming off his 1st KO loss and looking to rebound. Reljic has a pretty decent all around game.
Vadim is a 3-time national sambo champion who has never let an opponent out of the initial round.
There is something to this Nemkov kid. There is promise there and we think he takes a hard fought win over the game Goran on the cards in one of the closest bouts for Rizin's two cards.
Upset Pick WINNER-Vadim Nemkov by Decision
Once upon a time, Ishii could do no wrong winning Olympic gold in Judo and becoming a national star in Japan. Satoshi then moved into MMA where he faced the retiring legend Hidehiko Yoshida to signify Ishii was the future and give a proper send off to then man who proceeded in winning Olympic gold in the same sport years earlier. Then reality set in. Anytime Satoshi fought an opponent of note, he lost. Ishii has amassed a decent record fight tomato cans but has just never crossed over into that elite status of his predecessors.
"Denisa" has won 8 straight fights and is a notable striker from the Czech Republic. Jiri has finished every single opponent he has faced in MMA with his creative striking style.
WINNER-Satoshi Ishii by Decision
Goran Reljic (15-5) vs. Vadim Nemkov (3-0)
The "Croation Ghost" is coming off his 1st KO loss and looking to rebound. Reljic has a pretty decent all around game.
Vadim is a 3-time national sambo champion who has never let an opponent out of the initial round.
There is something to this Nemkov kid. There is promise there and we think he takes a hard fought win over the game Goran on the cards in one of the closest bouts for Rizin's two cards.
Upset Pick WINNER-Vadim Nemkov by Decision
Teodoras Aukstuolis (7-2) vs. Bruno Cappelozza (7-3)
Teo is a Lithuanian Judoka who has competed in wrestling, combat sambo, and is now journeying into MMA. Watch for this kids slams.
Bruno is the Jungle Fight champion and loves to bring the action.
Upset Pick WINNER-Teodoras Aukstuolis by Decision
Teo is a Lithuanian Judoka who has competed in wrestling, combat sambo, and is now journeying into MMA. Watch for this kids slams.
Bruno is the Jungle Fight champion and loves to bring the action.
Upset Pick WINNER-Teodoras Aukstuolis by Decision
Muhammed Lawal (16-4) vs. Brett McDermott (5-2)
"King Mo" crosses the Earth to return to Japan where he cut his teeth in the sport some 6 years ago. Now Lawal is a successful fighter on a 4 fight winning streak bouncing between Heavy and Light Heavyweight. "Mo" has always had the wrestling chops and sometimes shows some striking skills while pretending to be Roy Jones Jr.
The "Spartan" fights out of Britian's BAMMA promotion and is a hard hitter who will simply be out wrestled for the duration.
WINNER-Muhammed Lawal by Decision
Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix Reserve Bout
"King Mo" crosses the Earth to return to Japan where he cut his teeth in the sport some 6 years ago. Now Lawal is a successful fighter on a 4 fight winning streak bouncing between Heavy and Light Heavyweight. "Mo" has always had the wrestling chops and sometimes shows some striking skills while pretending to be Roy Jones Jr.
The "Spartan" fights out of Britian's BAMMA promotion and is a hard hitter who will simply be out wrestled for the duration.
WINNER-Muhammed Lawal by Decision
Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix Reserve Bout
Valentin Moldavsky (2-0) vs. Yuta Uchida (0-0)
WINNER-Valentin Moldavsky
Feature Bouts
Tsuyoshi Kosaka (26-18-2) vs. James Thompson (20-15)
"Colossus" has admitted he only trained 2 days for this bout after pulling his hamstring in an unsuccessful fight against Bobby Lashley in November at Bellator. James is a big boy with some power (obviously) but he has been (T)KO'd 12 times in his career and he's a terrible fighter.
"TK" is a well respected fighter who has competed against some of the best in the world in his day. Unfortunately, his day was 9 goddamn years ago! Kosaka is now 46 and we liked him quite a bit back in Pride FC so we are just hoping he is not injured here.
WINNER-James Thompson by Rd.1 TKO
WINNER-Valentin Moldavsky
Feature Bouts
Tsuyoshi Kosaka (26-18-2) vs. James Thompson (20-15)
"Colossus" has admitted he only trained 2 days for this bout after pulling his hamstring in an unsuccessful fight against Bobby Lashley in November at Bellator. James is a big boy with some power (obviously) but he has been (T)KO'd 12 times in his career and he's a terrible fighter.
"TK" is a well respected fighter who has competed against some of the best in the world in his day. Unfortunately, his day was 9 goddamn years ago! Kosaka is now 46 and we liked him quite a bit back in Pride FC so we are just hoping he is not injured here.
WINNER-James Thompson by Rd.1 TKO
Hiroyuki Takaya (20-11-2) vs. Daiki Hata (17-9-7)
WINNER-"Streetfight Bancho"
WINNER-"Streetfight Bancho"
Hideo Tokoro (32-28-2) vs. Kizaemon Saiga (2-0)
Tokoro may be on a 3 fight skid, but he did put up a hell of a performance in his last outing against LC Davis which is one of MMAFO's 2015 "Fights of the Year." Hideo has experience all over the world but relies upon his submission skills and has been stopped quite a bit in his career.
Saiga is very new to the game and at 26 years of age, he's coming into his prime. "Kiz" is a K-1 Max fighter who is known for being married to a celebrity lady in Japan.
WINNER-Hideo Tokoro by Decision
Tokoro may be on a 3 fight skid, but he did put up a hell of a performance in his last outing against LC Davis which is one of MMAFO's 2015 "Fights of the Year." Hideo has experience all over the world but relies upon his submission skills and has been stopped quite a bit in his career.
Saiga is very new to the game and at 26 years of age, he's coming into his prime. "Kiz" is a K-1 Max fighter who is known for being married to a celebrity lady in Japan.
WINNER-Hideo Tokoro by Decision
AJ Matthews (8-3) vs. Anatoly Tokov (21-2)
The "Mercenary" has gone 4-2 in Bellator and is a striker by trade.
The Russian has won 13 in a row with 17 finishes. Anatoly is an aggressive fighter in the same vein as Mr. Emelianenko even with the slick submissions and heavy ass hands. This is a good step forward for Tokov as he looks to make noise in the game.
WINNER-Anatoly Tokov by Decision
The "Mercenary" has gone 4-2 in Bellator and is a striker by trade.
The Russian has won 13 in a row with 17 finishes. Anatoly is an aggressive fighter in the same vein as Mr. Emelianenko even with the slick submissions and heavy ass hands. This is a good step forward for Tokov as he looks to make noise in the game.
WINNER-Anatoly Tokov by Decision
Carlos Toyota (6-7-1) vs. Kirill Sidelnikov (7-4)
"Baby Fedor" never amounted to much but Fedor signing with Rizin gets Kirill another payday.
is a 3rd generation Japanese Brazilian who has a pretty piss poor record if he doesn't hurt you early. Still, we think he throttles the hapless Sidelnikov.
Upset Pick WINNER-Carlos Toyota by Rd.1 TKO
Mixed Rules Bouts
"Baby Fedor" never amounted to much but Fedor signing with Rizin gets Kirill another payday.
is a 3rd generation Japanese Brazilian who has a pretty piss poor record if he doesn't hurt you early. Still, we think he throttles the hapless Sidelnikov.
Upset Pick WINNER-Carlos Toyota by Rd.1 TKO
Mixed Rules Bouts
Kazuyuki Miyata (14-9) vs. Hinta Watanabe (0-0)
Akiyo Nishiura (13-8-1) vs. Kawabe Hiroya (0-0)
Yuki Motoya (15-4) vs. Felipe Efrain (9-2)
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