RIZIN 20 was the last show of the year for RIZIN, but many fans hailed it as a show of the year contender. The event saw new champions crowned, soccer kicks, and bombastic entrances to the delight of fans. Manel Kape became the new bantamweight champion. Seo Hee Ham became the new super atomweight champion. Tenshin Nasukawa had another highlight-reel finish.
Manel Kape vs Kai Asakura
At RIZIN 20, Kape became the vacant bantamweight champion by TKOing Kai Asakura. Photo courtesy of RIZIN FF.
In a highly anticipated second match between the two bantamweights, Kape finished the tough younger Asakura brother in the second round by TKO. Kape’s win crowned him the new bantamweight champion after former holder Kyoji Horiguchi vacated the belt due to an ACL injury. The first fight between Kape and Asakura was a close split decision for the latter. It is expected that Kape will fight number one contender Hiromasa Ogikubo at a future show.
Lightweight Grand Prix
Tofiq Musayev fought two times at RIZIN 20 to win the LW GP. Photo courtesy of RIZIN FF.
Azerbaijan’s Tofiq Musayev defeated Johnny Case and Patricky “Pitbull” Freire in the same night to become the lightweight Grand Prix winner. He defeated Case by TKO in the first round and Pitbull by unanimous decision. During the second round, Musayev received a yellow card in what might be an MMA first. Musayev was taking down Pitbull near the ropes. Pitbull fell out of the ring and one of Musayev’s teammates dived to grab Pitbull by the arm. Musayev looked strong in all three rounds, rocking the Bellator fighter a few times and taking him down as well.
Seo Hee Ham vs Ayaka Hamasaki
Seo Hee Ham captured the super atomweight championship from rival Ayaka Hamasaki. Photo courtesy of RIZIN FF.
In a very closely contested fight, ROAD FC atomweight champion defeated Ayaka Hamsaski to become the new RIZIN super atomweight champion by split decision. This is the third time they have fought with Hamsasaki winning the first two encounters. The first round saw the familiar foes brawl on the feet. The second round Ham managed to lock in a triangle choke early but Hamasaki was able to withstand maneuver to the bell. The third round saw Ham pummel Hamasaki, possibly breaking her nose.
Rest of the Card:
Jiri Prochazka easily retained his title against former UFC fighter C.B. Dollaway. Prochazka sent Dollaway to the canvas after a right hook in the first round. The Czech champion was gunning for a fight with Bellator light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Ryan Bader but that fight didn’t pan out and got put against Bader’s training partner Dollaway. This fight was supposedly the last on Prochazka’s contract.
Undefeated kickboxing fan-favorite Tenshin Nasukawa made easy work over opponent Rui Ebata. Fans online pegged Ebata to be Nasukawa’s toughest RIZIN opponent to date. Nasukawa knocked down Ebata three times in the first round to earn his 34th victory.
To order the replay of RIZIN 20, go to FITE.TV.
