Rizin 3 Openweight Grand Prix Semi-Finals: Fight Card + Picks & Prognostications

December 29, 2016

Saitama Super Arena

Saitama, Japan

Rizin Openweight Grand Prix

Mirko Filipovic (32-11-2) vs. Muhammed Lawal (20-5)

"King Mo" has been tapped at the last moment to step in for an injured Wanderlei Silva and here we are. 

"Cro Cop" is now 42 but he's been rolling as of late winning 5 of his last 6 since departing the UFC. Filipovic even showcased his Jiu-Jitsu skills last out defeating Hyun Man Myung in September. The man is a kickboxing legend and brings murder with his strikes.

"King Mo" defeated Satoshi Ishii a couple of weeks ago in a warm up and now takes the long flight to Japan on a whim. Lawal's wrestling is always solid as is his boxing, but the guy always seems to stumble when reaching the upper echelon.

So, this should be pretty fun. Its an odd pairing as Rizin tends to like to schedule in favor of ole "Cro Cop," but facing defiant wrestlers has not always been favorable for the Croation. "Mo" is smart enough not to play around on the feet with Mirko so we're guessing he shoots for a lot of takedowns. Call us nostalgic, but we thinks the old legend catches Lawal coming in with something like a murderous left leg high kick. Maybe MMAFO is crushing too hard on our boy but damned if we are not picking Filipovic in a slight Upset.

WINNER-Mirko Filipovic by Rd.1 TKO

Tsuyoshi Kosaka (27-18-2) vs. Kaido Hoovelson (2-0)

"TK" is now 46 and Rizin is messing around with potential disaster here. We love the old timer as well, and he did defeat James Thompson last year but the shine surely cannot last. 

"Baruto" has shown decent hands for a Sumo player thus far while employing some takedown defense.

We've got "Baruto" all day here. Kosaka should not be fighting are his long, looong career, and will likely get outstruck.

WINNER-Kaido Hoovelson by Decision

Heath Herring (28-14) vs. Amir Aliakbari (3-0)

Ladies and gentlemen, "The Texas Crazy Horse" has returned after an 8 year silence! WTF! Heath was on the mic for Rizin last we heard but now he's stepping for some action at 38.

The Iranian has knocked out every opponent he has faced thus far in the 1st round!

Not sure why Herring is returning now, other than Rizin prolly threw a ton of money in his face, and against a decent prospect. Best of luck but ring rust is real and Aliakbari punches Herring back into retirement.

WINNER-Amir Aliakbari by Rd.1 TKO

Szymon Bajor (16-6) vs. Valentin Moldavsky (4-0)

The Pole has been putting in work and grinding out victories.

"Fedor's Boy" got revenge for Team Fedor defeating Karl Albrektsson in September. Valentin is similar in style to his idol and should be able to gain the win here with a more well rounded game.

WINNER-Valentin Moldavsky by Decision

Rin Nakai (18-2-1) vs. Kanako Murata (4-0)

After going 0-2 in the UFC, "Bug Lady" has won 2 in a row via strikes. She's an odd squat lady but the power is there. Nakai should be able to out scramble Murata but to be honest we have no idea who she is.

WINNER-Rin Nakai by Decision

Tenshin Nasukawa (0-0) vs. Nikita Sapun (1-0)

Nasukawa is making his MMA debut after going 17-0 in kickboxing. Tenshin is ultra-aggressive and is incredibly young though he possesses a high fight i.q. The kicks coming will be incredible in this showcase for a future super-star!

WINNER-Tenshin Nasukawa by Rd.2 TKO

Kazuyuki Miyata (14-9) vs. Andy Souwer (1-1)

"Little Hercules" is a journeyman fighter who is basically here to test just what we have in Souwer as an MMA fighter.

The Dutch "Destroyer" is a killer kickboxer, but as Daron Cruickshank proved in their meeting in September, he's got a long way to go on the ground. Miyatta will try to grapple Andy to death but he gets put away before he has the chance in a nice experience fight for Souwer.

WINNER-Andy Souwer by Decision

Yuki Motoya (17-4) vs. Allan Nascimento (16-3)

WINNER-Yuki Motoya by Decision

Tatsumitsu Wada (16-8-2) vs. Kai Kara-France (12-5)

WINNER-Kai Kara-France by Rd.1 TKO

Yusuke Yachi (15-6) vs. Mario Sismundo (2-2)

WINNER-Yusuke Yachi by Decision

Kanna Asakura (5-1) vs. Alyssa Garcia (1-2)

WINNER-Kanna Asakura by Decision

Vadim Nemkov (6-2) vs. Alison Vicente (18-14)

@daroncruickshank (Instagram)

Nemkov of Team Fedor stumbled losing 2 in a row in Rizin (the 1st losses of his career) but got 1 back in mother Russia. Vadim should be able to put the mitts to Alison though the Brazilian is happy to brawl.

WINNER-Vadim Nemkov by Rd.1 TKO

Satoru Kitaoka (39-14-9) vs. Daron Cruickshank (18-8)

The 36 year old Kitaoka has a lot of submissions in his game so the "Detroit Superstar" will change gears from his grappling skills that won him a big bout against Andy Souwer last out. Cruickshank has a lot of creative offensive tools and should have little trouble sprawling out of takedown attempts while delivering some flavor to Satoru.

WINNER-Daron Cruickshank by Rd.1 TKO