Two is better than one. It’s become a common theme for Japan’s Rizin Fighting Federation, which is once again set to host two events in a single weekend. The organization heads to Yokohama, Japan, for Rizin 22 on August 9 and Rizin 23 on August 10.
The first evening of fights was heavy on quality kickboxing and women’s MMA, while also featuring a lightweight showdown between Yusuke Yachi and Roberto de Souza. The lineup also included Ayaka Hamasaki, Kanna Asakura, Naoki Inoue, Yoshinari Nadaka and Rui Ebata.
FULL RESULTS
Roberto de Souza def. Yusuke Yachi by TKO (punches). Round 1, 1:52
Ayaka Hamasaki def. Tomo Maesawa by submission (kimura). Round 2, 1:14
Kanna Asakura def. Mizuki Furuse by TKO (punches). Round 1, 1:35
Naoki Inoue def. Shooto Watanabe by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 1, 1:40
Kickboxing: Rui Ebata def. Seiki Ueyama by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-28)
Kickboxing: Yoshinari Nadaka def. Yuushin by TKO (elbow). Round 2, 3:00
Tetsuya Seki def. Koya Kanda by knockout (punches). Round 2, 3:47
Kyohei Hagiwara def. Rikuto Shirakawa by TKO (punches). Round 3, 4:40
Kenji Kato def. Erson Yamamoto by knockout (punch). Round 1, 3:32
Ayaka Hamasaki def. Tomo Maesawa by submission (kimura). Round 2, 1:14
Kanna Asakura def. Mizuki Furuse by TKO (punches). Round 1, 1:35
Naoki Inoue def. Shooto Watanabe by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 1, 1:40
Kickboxing: Rui Ebata def. Seiki Ueyama by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-28)
Kickboxing: Yoshinari Nadaka def. Yuushin by TKO (elbow). Round 2, 3:00
Tetsuya Seki def. Koya Kanda by knockout (punches). Round 2, 3:47
Kyohei Hagiwara def. Rikuto Shirakawa by TKO (punches). Round 3, 4:40
Kenji Kato def. Erson Yamamoto by knockout (punch). Round 1, 3:32