Super RIZIN 5 Staff Picks: 145-lb Titans Clash For The Title
Super RIZIN 5 happens this morning. Our staff picks are in, so who did our writers choose?
Set to become one of the most thrilling mixed martial arts cards of the year, Super RIZIN 5 brings together some of the top fighters on the planet from both RIZIN and PFL in an entertaining cross-promotional extravaganza. In the main event, undefeated RIZIN phenom Razhabali Shaydullaev battles PFL standout A.J. McKee Jr. in a special double championship bout. Before that, Mikuru Asakura takes on Japanese sensation Shinya Aoki.
Super RIZIN 5 Main Event
Possessing a perfect record of 18-0, Shaydullaev has yet to taste any real adversity in his professional tenure. Holding a 100% finish rate, the current RIZIN featherweight champion is gearing up for the chance to attain double title-holder status.
Unbeaten in his last three fights, McKee Jr. is stepping into his first championship match since 2022. Unwilling to let the biggest moment of his life slip away from him, “Mercenary” is all too eager to hand the Tajikistan native his first defeat.
Super RIZIN 5 Co-Main Event
A combatant with 13 years of experience, there isn’t much that Asakura hasn’t seen inside the cage/ring. Boasting nine victories by knockout, the 34-year old easily holds some of the heaviest hands out of all the athletes on the Super RIZIN 5 card.
Also an established veteran, one with over 60 contests, Aoki has crossed paths with some of the best competitors from multiple ages of the sport, including Ben Askren, Eddie Alvarez, and Fedor Emelianenko. A touted submission artist with 33 triumphs by tap out, “Tobikan Judan” has proven to be a deadly adversary in the grappling department.
More Bouts on the Super RIZIN 5 Main Card
Also on the main card, Ren Hiramoto faces Karshyga Dautbek. Then, Roberto de Souza takes on Shunta Nomura. Followed by Yutaka Saito locking horns with Ren Sugiyama. Then, Vugar Karamov fights Ryo Takagi. Also, Rena Kubota meets Natasha Kuziutina.
Super RIZIN 5 Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
-
UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
-
PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
-
ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
Staff picks in 2025 were won by Hank Strandberg with a record of 216-119.
Find our Super RIZIN 5 picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after DWCS 91:
1. Hank Strandberg: 165-80
2. Frazer Krohn: 134-96
3. Drew Zuhosky: 125-122
4. Andrew Benjamin: 29-27
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Natasha Kuziutina -350
Vs.
Rena Kubota +280
SUPER ATOMWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Kuziutina by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Kubota by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn:
Staff picking Kuziutina: 1
Staff picking Kubota: 1
Vugar Kyarimov -160
Vs.
Ryo Takagi +140
FEATHERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Kyarimov by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Takagi by First Round Submission
Frazer Krohn:
Staff picking Kyarimov: 1
Staff picking Takagi: 1
Ren Sugiyama -280
Vs.
Yutaka Saito +230
FEATHERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Sugiyama by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Saito by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn:
Staff picking Sugiyama: 1
Staff picking Saito: 1
Roberto de Souza -185
Vs.
Shunta Nomura +161
LIGHTWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: de Souza by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Nomura by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn:
Staff picking de Souza: 1
Staff picking Nomura: 1
Karshyga Dautbek -320
Vs.
Ren Hiramoto +260
FEATHERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Dautbek by Second Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Dautbek by First Round Submission
Frazer Krohn:
Staff picking Dautbek: 2
Staff picking Hiramoto: 1
Mikuru Asakura -250
Vs.
Shinya Aoki +207
LIGHTWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Asakura by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Aoki by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn:
Staff picking Asakura: 1
Staff picking Aoki: 1
Razhabali Shaydullaev -170
Vs.
A. J. McKee Jr. +149
FEATHERWEIGHT
Hank Strandberg: Shaydullaev by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: McKee Jr. by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn:
Staff picking Shaydullaev: 1
Staff picking McKee Jr.: 1
