Rizin Fighting Federation returned to Fukuoka, Japan, on Sunday, Oct. 15, for Rizin Fighting World Grand Prix 2017 in Fukuoka.
In the evening’s main event, Japanese combat-sports star Rena Kubota kicked off the women’s super atomweight grand prix against former King of the Cage atomweight champion Andy Nguyen. Shoot-boxing legend Kubota was undefeated in her MMA career, with all four wins coming by way of stoppage. Nguyen lost her title in her second defense against Melissa Sophia Karagianis in August.
In the night’s co-headliner, undefeated kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa returned to MMA action against amateur boxer and MMA fighter Yamato Fujita. Nasukawa, 19, moved his professional kickboxing and Muay Thai career to 20-0 with a stoppage victory over Wisanlek at KNOCK OUT Vol. 4 in August. Nasukawa is undefeated in MMA with three stoppage wins.
Elsewhere on the card, UFC Hall of Famer Kazushi Sakuraba took on former UFC champ Frank Shamrock in a grappling bout, two-time K-1 MAX champ Andy Souwer met Dream vet Akiyo “Wicky” Nishiura, and Japanese MMA legend Tatsuya Kawajiri fought Peru FC featherweight titleholder Gabriel Oliveira.
The pay-per-view event aired live at 1 a.m. ET on FITE TV via Combat Press.
Tenshin Nasukawa def. Yamato Fujita by unnanimous decision
Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Frank Shamrock ends in draw (time limit). Round 1
Akiyo Nishiura def. Andy Souwer by unanimous decision
Reina Miura def. Crystal Stokes by unanimous decision
Gabriel Oliveira def. Tatsuya Kawajiri by knockout (knee). Round 2
Shintaro Ishiwatari def. Akhmed Musakaev by unanimous decision – bantamweight grand prix opening round
Kevin Petshi def. Jae Hoon Moon by split decision – bantamweight grand prix opening round
Manel Kape def. Erson Yamamoto by TKO (head kick). Round 1 – bantamweight grand prix opening round
Roque Martinez def. Jerome LeBanner by submission (scarf hold). Round 1
Maria Oliveira def. Alyssa Garcia by unanimous decision – super atomweight grand prix opening round
Kanna Asakura def. Sylwia Juśkiewicz by unanimous decision – super atomweight grand prix opening round
Irene Rivera def. Miyuu Yamamoto by submission (armbar). Round 2 – super atomweight grand prix opening round
Kickboxing: Jin Mandokoro def. Issei Ishii by majority decision
Kickboxing: Yuki vs. Kurogi Darvish ends in majority draw
Kickboxing: Yoshihisa Morimoto def. Ryota by TKO (referee stoppage). Round 3, 2:00