JMMA Monday: Three Questions Heading Into 2022

Welcome to another issue of JMMA Monday. This is a weekly blog series that discusses the big and small stories around Japanese MMA. Listen, I get that you're probably sick of reflection pieces by now. We're in 2022. We're here. No more looking back on 2021. Alright, I hear you. This week we're going to … Continue reading JMMA Monday: Three Questions Heading Into 2022 →

JMMA Monday: Reflecting on RIZIN 33 With Fight Pizza

Welcome to the very first "JMMA Monday" episode on the website. This will be a weekly corner on the site to talk about any relevant topics around MMA in Japan. Sometimes it will be a conversation with someone else, other times it will just be a short little opinion column. We're coming off the biggest … Continue reading JMMA Monday: Reflecting on RIZIN 33 With Fight Pizza →

On The Prelims: The Biggest Upset of RIZIN 33, And More

"On The Prelims" usually focuses on the undercard fighters of a UFC or Bellator show, but this week it is Japanese MMA promotion RIZIN that gets the spotlight. While RIZIN's New Year's Eve event doesn't have anything billed as a preliminary card, they have two sets of fights on their card: 11 bouts that aired … Continue reading On The Prelims: The Biggest Upset of RIZIN 33, And More →

RIZIN 33 Live Coverage

RIZIN will continue its annual tradition of hosting a New Year's Eve event on Friday, presenting a 16-bout card from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The card is set to be headlined by the conclusion of their 16-man bantamweight tournament, which will see its semi-finals take place earlier in the night. Also on … Continue reading RIZIN 33 Live Coverage →

The 2021 RIZIN Reflection Roundtable

Japanese MMA promotion RIZIN will call an end to their 2021 on Friday night, going to the Saitama Super Arena to host their ninth event of the year. Before their New Year's Eve tradition happens, the site has a tradition of its own to honor. A panel of reporters and pundits recently gathered to discuss … Continue reading The 2021 RIZIN Reflection Roundtable →

RIZIN 33 Preview

Japanese MMA promotion RIZIN will carry on the tradition of a New Year's Eve event on Friday night, presenting a 16-bout card from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The show is expected to include a lightweight title fight, the end of their 16-man bantamweight tournament, and fights including notable names like Tenshin Nasukawa … Continue reading RIZIN 33 Preview →

Daisuke Sato: The Storyteller of JMMA

Matthew Lassiter wouldn’t usually find himself being a fan of a fighter that is wrestling-heavy in their approach. Like many MMA fans, he prefers a more well-rounded fighter or someone who can be more flashy with their striking. However, there’s one wrestling-based athlete that puts him on the edge of his seat whenever they fight: … Continue reading Daisuke Sato: The Storyteller of JMMA →

RENA Takes Quick Turnaround To Face Park Si-woo At RIZIN 33

Just one month after her last appearance, RENA has been booked to face Park Si-woo at RIZIN's 2021 New Year's Eve event. The bout is one of three new pairings that were announced by the promotion Friday. The new fights join RIZIN 33, which is set to happen at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, … Continue reading RENA Takes Quick Turnaround To Face Park Si-woo At RIZIN 33 →

Yusuke Yachi To Challenge RIZIN Lightweight Champion Roberto Satoshi Souza At December 31st Event

Yusuke Yachi will challenge for a belt for the first time in his RIZIN career later this month, facing Roberto Satoshi Souza for the RIZIN Lightweight Championship at the promotion's New Year's Eve card. The fight was one of six unveiled at a press conference Thursday. The new fights are expected to take place at … Continue reading Yusuke Yachi To Challenge RIZIN Lightweight Champion Roberto Satoshi Souza At December 31st Event →

RIZIN Unveils Bantamweight Grand Prix Semi-Final Matchups For 2021 New Year’s Eve Card

The semi-final matchups for the RIZIN Bantamweight Grand Prix are set. RIZIN revealed semi-final matchups Tuesday for their tournament, which is set to have its final two rounds play out on New Year's Eve at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. In the first of two semi-final bouts, former RIZIN Bantamweight Champion Kai Asakura … Continue reading RIZIN Unveils Bantamweight Grand Prix Semi-Final Matchups For 2021 New Year’s Eve Card →