On Saturday, Dec. 31, Rizin Fighting Federation returned to the Saitama Super Arena in Japan for the Rizin Fighting World Grand Prix 2016: Final Round.
The event was headlined by the finals of the promotion’s open weight tournament. In one half of the bracket, MMA legend Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic took on the largest man in the tournament, Baruto. On the other side of the ladder, Amir Aliakbari clashed with Valentin Moldavsky.
In addition to the tournament match-ups, the card also featured Japanese legend Tatsuya Kawajiri against grappling ace Kron Gracie, as well notables Hideo Tokoro, Rena Kubota, Gabi Garcia and Hayato âMachâ Sakurai.
The event aired live at 1 a.m. ET on Combat Press.
FULL RESULTS
Mirko Cro Cop def. Amir Aliakbari by knockout (left hook and punches). Round 1, 2:03 – open weight grand prix final
Kron Gracie def. Tatsuya Kawajiri by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 2, 2:05
Hideo Tokoro def. Erson Yamamoto by submission (armbar). Round 1, 1:19
Rena Kubota def. Hanna Tyson by knockout (crescent kick). Round 3, 2:47
Andy Nguyen def. Miyuu Yamamoto by technical submission (armbar). Round 1, 4:42
Kizaemon Saiga def. Dillin West by knockout (left hook and stomp). Round 1, 2:03
Gabi Garcia def. Yumiko Hotta by knockout (punches). Round 1, 0:41
Hayato âMachâ Sakurai def. Wataru Sakata by TKOÂ (ground and pound). Round 2, 2:37
Amir Aliakbari def. Valentin Moldavsky by split decision – open weight grand prix semifinal
Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic def. Baruto by knockout (knee to body). Round 1, 0:49 – open weight grand prix semifinal
Tenshin Nasukawa def. Dylan Oligo by submission (guillotine choke). Round 2, 0:37
Kron Gracie def. Tatsuya Kawajiri by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 2, 2:05
Hideo Tokoro def. Erson Yamamoto by submission (armbar). Round 1, 1:19
Rena Kubota def. Hanna Tyson by knockout (crescent kick). Round 3, 2:47
Andy Nguyen def. Miyuu Yamamoto by technical submission (armbar). Round 1, 4:42
Kizaemon Saiga def. Dillin West by knockout (left hook and stomp). Round 1, 2:03
Gabi Garcia def. Yumiko Hotta by knockout (punches). Round 1, 0:41
Hayato âMachâ Sakurai def. Wataru Sakata by TKOÂ (ground and pound). Round 2, 2:37
Amir Aliakbari def. Valentin Moldavsky by split decision – open weight grand prix semifinal
Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic def. Baruto by knockout (knee to body). Round 1, 0:49 – open weight grand prix semifinal
Tenshin Nasukawa def. Dylan Oligo by submission (guillotine choke). Round 2, 0:37