RIZIN 2016 World Grand Prix: Fight Card, Picks, Prognostications + Odds

RIZIN 2 2016 World Grand Prix 

     MMAFO gives the UFC a lot of shit because they are pumping out garbage cards like there's no tomorrow but, we loves us some crazy freak show Japanese MMA. This is yet another bizarre offering from Rizin which apes the old beloved Pride FC style, but it includes another Gracie, the stunning sensations Rena Kubota, Mr. "Cro Cop," the legendary "Ol' Ironhead," Gabi Garcia, and more peculiar contrivances. Just enjoy the fun.

RIZIN Grand Prix Bouts:

Mirko Filipovic (31-11-2) vs. Hyun Man Myung (3-2)

"Cro Cop" just can't help himself and the desire to compete just outweighs his retirement attempts. The former Pride FC Grand Prix Champion is on a 3-fight winning streak and has not been defeated for the IGF Heavyweight title though we have zero idea if he's still holding the strap. The Croatian killer is a kickboxing/MMA legend who has seen and done it all.

Myung is a fellow kickboxer who is more of a brawler in MMA. 

Mirko has all the experience for this one and if you think MMAFO isn't backing "Cro Cop" all the way then you haven't been paying attention. There will be a surprise though when Filipovic takes Myung down and pounds him out instead of delivering the left kick morgue finisher.

WINNER-Mirko Filipovic by Rd.2 TKO

Kazuyuki Fujita (15-11) vs. Kaido Hoovelson (1-0)

The 45 year old Fujita returned to MMA in '13 and again in '16 though both were losses. In his heyday, "Ol' Ironhead" was a banger with real power and durability with a jaw that was the stuff of legend. Of course, that, was a long time ago. 

"Baruto" is a sumo wrestler from Estonia and no, we can't make this stuff up. The "Hoover" actually won his MMA debut against Peter Aerts which was actually shocking to all! 

So, "Ultra-Fatty" meets "Ol' Ironhead" in a questionable booking. We have a hard time believing Kaido is taking his foray into MMA seriously but Fujita's looks more like 60 years of age rather than 45. Yeesh. MMA Gods be kind.

WINNER-Kaido Hoovelson by Decision

Jiri Prochazka (17-3-1) vs. Mark Tanios (5-1)

"Denisa" had won 10 in a row until he met "King Mo" in the Rizin inaugural tournament finals last December. The Czech is a talented striker and real contender for the Japanese promotion. He's a 205er which means he'll have a size disadvantage here.

"Rocky" is a Lebanese Heavyweight and he's huge. We know jack about him but its awfully hard to Google these guys. Not a ton of information out there.

WINNER-Jiri Prochazka by Decision

Joao Isidoro Almeida (4-1) vs. Amir Aliakbari (2-0)

Amir is an Iranian Greco-Roman wrestler who has competed at high levels but was banned from doing so in 2013 for a 2nd, PED violation. So, he's a cheater.

Joao has trained with Anderson Silva and Demian Maia not to mention professional boxers en route to this appearance.

Tough to call as both men are very green and haven't faced much in terms of opposition. We ever so slightly favor the cheater and his ability to use the wrestling game to control his foe for most of the time.

WINNER-Allahu Akbar by Decision

Teodoras Aukstuolis (9-3) vs. Szymon Bajor (15-6)

The Lithuanian had a strong showing in last year's Rizin tourney losing only to Muhammed Lawal via decision. Aukstuolis is only 24 and shouldn't have much trouble with journeyman Bajor.

WINNER-Teodoras Aukstuolis by Decision

Wanderlei Silva gets a 1st round bye.

Non-Tournament Bouts:

Kron Gracie (2-0) vs. Hideo Tokoro (33-28-2)

The youngest son of Rickson Gracie is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt as one would imagine, and has grappling credentials for days. In his short stint into MMA, nobody has made it to the 2nd round, but, he has only fought nobodies. 

Tokoro is not a nobody. Hideo has been in the game for 16 years now and amassed 63 professional fights! That kids, is experience. Tokoro had one of the best fights of the year in '15 against LC Davis and dude is a scrapper. He can do a bit of everything but the ground scene is his game.

Tokoro could win this he really could. Kron is just so slick with the jitz that you just have to think he catches Hideo at some point. This isn't our most confident pick but we'll go with Rickson's son.

WINNER-Kron Gracie by Rd.2 Submission

Rena Kubota (1-0) vs. Miyu Yamamoto (0-0)

Rena is a stunning kickboxer (25-5-1) who has been competing since 2007. She is only 25 and quickly becoming a star in Japan.

Yamamoto is a world wrestling champion and the older sister of Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto, a legend in Japan. However, Miyu just turned 42 but began wrestling at 17 when she won her very first world title. 42 is a big old to be starting in MMA isn't it Mr. Phil "CM Punk" Brooks? 

WINNER-Rena Kubota by Decision

Andy Souwer (1-0) vs. Daron Cruickshank (17-8)

The "Dutch Destroyer" is a multi-time shoot boxing and kickboxing champion. This is quite a leap up in competition for Andy who has but a single bout in MMA.

"The Detroit Superstar" had a decently successful career in the UFC but is re-vamping his career in Japan. Daron won his Rizin debut in April and is now looking for a "name" scalp.

And Cruickshank shall have it! Andy is a killer striker but Daron is no slouch in that department either. If there's trouble standing Cruickshank can ground his foe and mince him up. We got Daron all day and predict a pretty decent stint in Japan.

WINNER-Daron Cruickshank by Decision

Kizaemon Saiga (2-1) Erson Yamamoto (0-1)

Saiga looked good early against Hideo Tokoro until he got caught in an armbar. "Kiz" is known for being married to a celebrity of some sort in Japan but he's got striking and scrambling skills.

Erson lost is MMA debut to Main Eventer Kron Gracie and we can't find much information on the cat. Just being honest.

Upset Pick WINNER-Kizaemon Saiga by??

Charles Bennett (29-30-2) vs. Minoru Kimura (0-0)

The aptly nicknamed "Krazy Horse" returned to MMA in October and has already had 5 bouts in a hurry (3-2). This piece of shit has been arrested more times than Ronnie Dobbs. Seriously, this guy is garbage and we are a bit disappointed Rizin booked this former Pride FC fighter. Bennett is likely legally insane and mostly a striker.

Kimura is a Brazilian kickboxer with 28 pro bouts and he's making his MMA debut.

"Krazy Horse" has been training with the Brothers Diaz and finds it amusing to go by the nickname of "Felony" now. Fucking moron. He'll likely win though by "gong & dash."

WINNER-Charles Bennett by Rd.1 TKO

Kanako Murata (3-0) vs. Kyra Batara (5-3)

WINNER-Kanako Murata?

Gabi Garcia (2-0) vs. Destanie Yarbrough (1-0)

Have you seen Gabi? She is as jacked as a female human being can be and is an absolutely deadly Jiu-Jitsu fighter with many elite awards. Her striking is quite awful but when you are that powerful and adept at grappling, you are a force to be reckoned with.

Yarbrough is a female professional football player (yeah, who knew that existed?) We watched Destanie's debut and let's just say, she's terrible.

WINNER-Gabi Garcia by Rd.1 Submission