We have a new RIZIN Bantamweight Champion!
Once Manel Kape signed with the UFC, then the 26-year-old was forced to relinquish the bantamweight title. Kai Asakura and Hiromasa Ougikubo ended up headlining the RIZIN 23 show for the vacant belt and the former walked out victorious thanks to a stunning knockout.
Asakura’s performance in the main event saw the newly crowned champion dominate his opponent from the opening bell, with Asakura weakening Ougikubo due to body shots in the first few minutes of the contest. An uppercut rocked Ougikubo and Asakura continued the pressure until a pair of soccer kicks put his opponent down for good.
Asakura became the RIZIN Bantamweight Champion for the first time in his career. However, the main event wasn’t the only bout with an electrifying finish as the undercard saw two fights end via knockout and two submissions. Check out the full results for the RIZIN 23 show:
Kai Asakura def. Hiromasa Ogikubo by knockout (soccer kicks), Round 1 – for the vacant RIZIN bantamweight title
Yuki Motoya def. Mamoru Uoi by submission (guillotine choke), Round 3
Yutaka Saito def. Kazumasa Majima by knockout (knees), Round 2
Jin Aoi def. Kotetsu Boku by unanimous decision
Makoto Shinryu def. Seiichiro Ito by submission (flying guillotine choke), Round 2
Tatsuki Saomoto def. Yusaku Nakamura by knockout (punches), Round 1