RIZIN 2016 Openweight Grand Prix Results: Cro Cop & Gracie Win In Japan!

Kron Gracie submitted Hideo Tokoro by Rear Naked Choke at 9:49 of the 1st round.

MMAFO favorite and legend, Kazushi Sakuraba, accompanied Tokoro to the ring!

Kron comes out to his father, Rickson Gracie's music which was perfect. Kron also trains with the brothers Diaz.

Kron showed a little improvement in his striking but he quickly took Hideo's back and controlled him for about 8 minutes. Tokoro turned into Gracie and escaped connecting with a foot stomp and diving for a leglock. Kron escaped and took the back again softening up Tokoro with punches. Kron took full mount forcing Hideo to give up the back and Gracie earned the submission as Gracie's do.

Rena Kubota tapped Miyuu Yamamoto by Modified Guillotine Choke at 4:50 of the very 1st round.

The "Queen Bee" got her 1st takedown attempt and Rena used an upkick to get to her feet only to be taken right back down. Kubota got to her feet again and sprawled out of more takedown attempts, and as they stood Ren latched onto the choke and would not let go eliciting the tap. Kubota is quickly becoming an MMA star after already attaining fame as a shoot fighter. Aaand, she's gorgeous.

Can you believe Miyuu is a 42 year old mother of 3? Absolutely crazy as this specimen looks like she isn't even 30. Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto's sister is a hottie and much respect for making the effort into MMA late in her career.

* This is the 1st time in MMA history that a mother and son (Miyuu & Erson) competed on the same card!

1st Round Openweight Grand Pix:

Mirko Filipovic SUBMITTED Hyun Man Myung via Arm Triangle Choke at 2:20 of the initial round.

Who told you "Cro Cop" was going to take this to the ground? MMAFO! That's who. You damn right we know our boy and Mirko showed he is still learning and evolving his MMA game at the age of 42 as he secured his 3rd submission win. 

"Cro Cop" invited fellow legend Wanderlei Silva into the ring post-fight for a challenge. The two warriors 1st met in 2002 which resulted in a draw. The 2nd meeting came in 2006 when Mirko knocked out Wanderlei with his feared left high kick. The men agreed to a 3rd meeting but according to the "official" Rizin brackets, they are on opposite sides and Filipovic should meet "Baruto" next. The legends take the idea to the fans in the arena who cheer and the Rizin officials make it official that Mirko Filipovic versus Wanderlei Silva 3 will happen in December! All this shit is fun and we yearn for the old days of Pride FC and Rizin doesn't disappoint!

Kaido Hoovelson defeated Kazuyuki Fujita by Unanimous Decision.

Poor "Ol' Ironhead" is just too old and announced his return to retirement after this loss. Thanks for all the great memories Mr. Fujita! Much respect.

"Baruto" is better at this than we thought. Fat, sure, but the guy can throw some fast punches and seems to be able to take strikes with ease. The 401 lb. sumo fighter pushed Fujita into the corner and landed some knees. From there it was "Baruto" by activity.

Jiri Prochazka defeated Mark Tanios by Unanimous Decision.

Jiri injured his right foot quickly into the fight but Mark didn't make him pay for it. Tanios was tentative and then got an accidental eye poke that allowed Prochazka to partially recover. Jiri showed a lot of heart but basically won the bout by default as Mark just never engaged.

Valentin Moldavsky defeated Karl Albrektsson by Unanimous Decision.

Moldavsky was picked specifically by the great Fedor Emelianenko to avenge the split decision loss of teammate Vadim Nemkov last April. Fedor felt disrespected by the antics of the Swede and Valentin stepped up for Team Fedor to restore honor.

Val was busier in the opening round and cut open the left eye of Karl with punches. Moldavsky was very confident with his hands down early striking. The Russian dropped the Swede in the 2nd round and then controlled the fight on the ground to gain the victory.

Amir Aliakbari TKO’d Joao Almeida by TKO at 2:25 of the 1st round.

The Iranian secured Joao in a crucifix and pounded away until the referee halted the action. Almeida was upset about the stoppage but he could not escape and was only going to take more punishment. 

Szymon Bajor defeated Teodoras Aukstuolis by Unanimous Decision. 

Bajor won via power striking and volume in a bit of an Upset. A strong debut for the Pole.

Daron Cruickshank submitted Andy Souwer via Rear Naked Choke at 4:10 of the opening round.

"The Detroit Superstar" showed up in Japan sporting a nice porn stache which was a new look. Anywho, Cruickshank got a quick takedown and was looking for the key lock early before easily transitioning to full mount. From there, Daron opened up with strikes and the uneducated Souwer gave his back for the tap. 

* For those who watched, did you see the prostitute dressed ring girl almost fall post fight? :)

Erson Yamamoto defeated Kizaemon Saiga by Split Decision.

That's a bout you have to win, especially when your mother Miyu Yamamoto is also fighting on the card. 

Charles Bennett TKO’d Minoru Kimura via Punches 0:07 into the fight.

We are not afraid to voice our displeasure at Rizin signing the felon and all around piece of shit "Krazy Horse." Rewarding this garbage individual with a contract is an insult to all MMA stands for. This cunt called out Wanderlei Silva and that is a crime we'd love to see. "The Axe Murderer" would annihilate Bennett and there is obviously history here from when Charles was choked unconscious backstage at a Pride FC event by Silva's fellow Chute Boxe member. "Horse" has always claimed since that he knocked out Wand but the video says different. 

Kanako Murata defeated Kyra Batara by Unanimous Decision.

Murata came out dressed as the legend Kazushi Sakuraba and that earns her much credit with MMAFO.

Rena & Gabi were victorious!

Gabi Garcia submitted Destanie Yarbrough via Keylock at 2:42 of the initial round.

Destanie trains a bit sure, but not like a professional and not at the level of Jiu-Jitsu great Gabi. Garcia has put the weight back on, and by weight we mean muscle, and she is an enormous 245 lber. Gabi took full mount and this was mercifully over early.

* Its was nice to hear the "Texas Crazy Horse" Heath Herring doing ringside commentary and he did a good job! 

10-2 on the Rizin picks and the entire card is available and streaming free on Sherdog.com.

9-4 on the UFC Fight Night 95 card.