Kleber Koike To Face Featherweight Champion Juntaro Ushiku At RIZIN 39

Dominant featherweight Kleber Koike will get his first crack at a RIZIN belt next month, facing 146-pound champion Juntaro Ushiku in the main event of RIZIN 39. The bout is scheduled to headline a card on October 23rd from the Marine Messe Fukuoka Hall in Fukuoka, Japan. Koike has yet to lose since he made … Continue reading Kleber Koike To Face Featherweight Champion Juntaro Ushiku At RIZIN 39 →

JMMA Monday: Ougikubo’s One Big Goal

There are few people in the world who can say they have beaten Hiromasa Ougikubo. The pro has fought more than 30 times since debuting in 2006. Along the way, just five of those fights have seen him suffer a loss. But of those losses, few have not since been avenged. The year is 2009 … Continue reading JMMA Monday: Ougikubo’s One Big Goal →

RENA Out of RIZIN Super Atomweight Grand Prix, Semi-Final Bouts Announced

RENA will not compete beyond the quarter-final round of RIZIN's Super Atomweight Grand Prix. News of RENA's departure from the bracket was first announced Tuesday when the promotion revealed grand prix bouts for their September 25th card, RIZIN 38, which will take place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. It was announced that … Continue reading RENA Out of RIZIN Super Atomweight Grand Prix, Semi-Final Bouts Announced →

JMMA Monday: The September Reflection

Welcome to the latest "JMMA Monday" column. This week, we'll be introducing a new monthly edition to the series: the reflection. This article gives us a chance to unpack JMMA topics from the past month in a quick-hitting format. Each reflection will include three parts: looking back (a thought on something that just happened), looking … Continue reading JMMA Monday: The September Reflection →

JMMA Monday: The Changing of Mikuru Asakura’s Image

The identity of Japanese MMA's top promotion has always been unique in the combat sports world. For decades, most MMA promotions have marketed the idea of witnessing some of the best athletes compete in a cage. But that hasn't always been the situation in JMMA. In many cases, and right now with RIZIN, a different … Continue reading JMMA Monday: The Changing of Mikuru Asakura’s Image →

JMMA Monday: Can We See New Year’s Eve In September?

What is and isn't worth your time? You might not notice it, but this is a question that you confront yourself with on numerous instances every day. It dictates whether you take that trip to the movie theatre versus staying at home or watching a two-and-a-half-hour movie instead of a TV show. And if you … Continue reading JMMA Monday: Can We See New Year’s Eve In September? →

Kyoji Horiguchi Set For September RIZIN Return

Kyoji Horiguchi will make his return to RIZIN next month, competing at the promotion's September 25th card. Horiguchi, still recognized as the RIZIN Bantamweight Champion, will be appearing in the promotion for the first time in nearly two years. His outing is expected to take place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Horiguchi … Continue reading Kyoji Horiguchi Set For September RIZIN Return →

JMMA Monday: Top Takeaways From RIZIN 37

RIZIN made their return to the Saitama Super Arena this weekend with RIZIN 37. The card featured many interesting matchups and the beginning of their second Super Atomweight Grand Prix. There's a lot to unpack about the show, including some stuff we won't get to this week. But just a few hours removed from the … Continue reading JMMA Monday: Top Takeaways From RIZIN 37 →

RIZIN 37 Live Coverage

RIZIN's second-ever super atomweight tournamennt will kick off this Sunday from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The eight-woman bracket will be the main focus of RIZIN 37, which is scheduled to have 14 bouts in total. RIZIN Super Atomweight Champion Seika Izawa will start her tournament run in the main event of the … Continue reading RIZIN 37 Live Coverage →

JMMA Monday: Things To Look Out For At RIZIN 37

RIZIN 37 is right around the corner, and it's one of the better cards that Japan's top promotion has put on as of late. The event marks their return to the Saitama Super Arena, the venue where most marquee shows take place every year. This time they brought with them the beginning of a tournament … Continue reading JMMA Monday: Things To Look Out For At RIZIN 37 →