RIZIN has finally returned! The Japanese MMA promotion will be putting on its first show since it took a hiatus when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Japan. It is a part of a double bill of shows with RIZIN 22 going up tonight and RIZIN 23 tomorrow.
In the main event, Krazy Bee‘s Yusuke Yachi (21-9) will be taking on high-level grappler Roberto “Satoshi” de Souza (9-1). This is an important lightweight match as both fighters are looking to avenge their recent fights in RIZIN. Both fighters lost their previous matches in RIZIN. No elbows will be allowed in this match.
The co-main event will feature a women’s super atomweight match between former RIZIN super atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki (19-3) taking on DEEP Jewels atomweight champion Tomo Maesawa (13-10). These two have already met in competition recently. Hamasaki teamed with Emi Tomimatsu to take on Maesawa and Mizuki Furuse in a tag team grappling match at DEEP Jewels 29. Hamasaki and Tomimatsu won after Hamasaki submitted both Furuse and Maesawa.
One other match that has kickboxing fans talking is Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Stadium Champion Nadaka Yoshinari (30-6, 15 KO) taking on Yuushin (5-2). For the first time, RIZIN is allowing elbows in this kickboxing match. Yoshinari is highly touted by kickboxing fans as one of the best in the world in his weight class. By the way, he is only 19-years-old. Yoshinari and Yuushin have previously met in the amateur circuit with the former coming out the winner.
As well, Kanna Asakura (16-4) returns as she takes on Mizuki Furuse (7-6). Opening the card is the nephew of “Kid” Yamamoto and son of Miyuu Yamamoto Erson Yamamoto (3-4) taking on Kenji Kato (10-7).
RIZIN 22 airs live from the Pia Arena MM Sunday 1 am EST. To check out RIZIN 22, go to RIZIN Live and create an account. The cost of the show is around $50 USD.
RIZIN 22 Results:
Roberto “Satoshi” de Souza def. Yusuke Yachi via TKO (punches) at 1:52 in Round 1
Ayaka Hamasaki def. Tomo Maesawa via submission (kimura) at 1:26 in Round 2
Kanna Asakura def. Mizuki Furuse via TKO (punches) at 1:35 in Round 1
Naoki Inoue def. Shooto Watanabe via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:40 in Round 1
(Kickboxing) Rui Ebata def. Seiki Ueyama via unanimous decision
(Kickboxing) Nadaka Yoshinari def. Yuushin via elbow at (TKO) at 3:08 in Round 2
Tetsuya Seki def. Kouya Kanda via TKO (punches) at 3:47 in Round 2
Rikuto Shirakawa def. Kyohei Hagiwara via TKO at 4:40 in Round 3
Kenji Kato def. Erson Yamamoto via Knockout (punch) at 3:32 in Round 1
