Rizin 43 was one of the best shows the promotion has put on so far and their best this year. If you love finishes, this is the show for you. There were submissions, knockouts, soccer kicks, jumping knees, and so much more. Let’s take a look at some of the best performances
Suguru Nii
In what has to be the most brutal knockout in any major promotion this year so far, Suguru Nii (15-12) continues his winning streak with a heavy right hand that knocks out his high school compadre Tateo Iida followed by a soccer kick. While this is his first win in Rizin, he has scored two submission wins in Pancrase previous to this.
BRUTAL KO!!
Suguru Nii shows why this rule set is no joke! ⚽
[ #RIZIN43 | @FiteTV | PPV link in bio ] pic.twitter.com/OmgcbFGIzD
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) June 24, 2023
What’s Next
Nii has been on a 3 fight-winning streak since losing to Sora Yamamoto in Rizin last year. He’s a fighter that goes down on his shield or delivers a quick finish with 9 coming in the first round. A great stylistic matchup for him might be Tetsuya Seki who also won on this card. Nii’s striking looks better and he would have the grappling advantage. Seki has crisp and accurate striking and it could make for a fun fight.
Joji Goto
In what is without a doubt a submission of the year contender, the Shooto bantamweight Joji Goto (15-6-1) managed to snag the rare twister submission during his fight against Trent Girdham. Instead of setting up the submission himself, Girdham tried to twist out of a body lock that Goto had locked on. While attempting to twist out, he grabbed Girdham’s neck and applied the painful submission maneuver.
A TWISTER?! 🌪️
Capping off a brilliant showing, Goto wins his RIZIN debut in style!
[ #RIZIN43 | @FiteTV | PPV link in bio ] pic.twitter.com/D2OxacEgwA
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) June 24, 2023
What’s Next
This was Goto’s first outing in Rizin and hopefully, he isn’t relegated only to shows in Hokkaido in the future. With Yuki Motoya losing at Rizin 42 to Kai Asakura, a match against Goto would be a good grappler vs grappler match. It would be a good potential tune-up fight for Motoya. On the other hand, if Goto dominates and wins, it could show that he is a fighter to keep an eye on as he climbs the ladder.
Minoru “Philip” Kimura
Another acquisition from kickboxing promotion K-1, Minoru “Philip” Kimura (38-10-1, 30 KO) first stepped in a Rizin ring back in 2016 in MMA to a 7-second loss to Charles Bennett. Since then he went on an absolute tear in K-1 and returning to Rizin made an emphatic statement. In one of the scariest KO’s of the year, he shut down Darryl Lokoku’s body with a well-placed hook.
LIGHTS OUT! 💡
Minoru Kimura lands a beautiful left hook to score his first win in RIZIN!
[ #RIZIN43 | @FiteTV | PPV link in bio ] pic.twitter.com/USP36wOhP8
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) June 24, 2023
What’s Next
Rizin has two of the best kickboxers on their roster now. Kimura and Rukiya Anpo. Anpo recently went to a controversial draw with Muay Thai legend Buakaw at Rizin 42. A first-time match between the two would be a big draw. Anpo has requested that first Kimura pass a doping test first.
Saori Oshima
This fight was a modern-day David vs Goliath in women’s MMA. Saori Oshima (12-3) is the current microweight champion in Deep. She has also dominated at atomweight. For this fight, she fought Pancrase strawweight champion Salt. Size be damned as Oshima easily took down Salt with a judo headlock takedown and applied a catch wrestling armlock to secure the submission in less than 2 minutes.
Oshima gets the submission win over Pancrase Strawweight Champ, SALT!
[ #RIZIN43 | @FiteTV | PPV link in bio ] pic.twitter.com/vB1v1o9RMx
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) June 24, 2023
What’s Next
There is only one fight to make at this point. Oshima vs Rizin and Deep atomweight champion Seika Izawa. Izawa is undefeated and has dominated almost all of her opponents and Oshima is riding a 5 fight-winning streak. This could be a big money match in Japanese women’s MMA.
The replay of Rizin 43 is available on Fite.
