Kyoji Horiguchi becomes RIZIN FF Flyweight Champion with New Years Eve victory

The tradition of Japanese MMA on New Years Eve continued with the 45th version of the Rizin Fighting Federation as Japanese superstar Kyoji Horiguchi dropped from the bantamweight division of 135lbs to face Makoto Shinryu for the inaugural Rizin FF Flyweight 125lbs championship.

The bout which was a rematch to a fight that ended via an eye poke as a No Contest was an epic battle between the established Japanese superstar Horgiuchi and perhaps the next generation Shinryu as the opening exchanges saw both fighters near submission victory before making it to the 2nd round where Horguchi took Shinryu’s back and forced the rear neck choke submission.

Kai Asakura captured the Bantamweight championship by defeating Juan Archuleta who missed weight by nearly 6 pounds after falling ill during his travels to Japan.  With the performance Archuleta needed a finish for the victory and it showed by his aggressive forward pressure, which ultimately was his downfall as it lead to a perfectly place knee counter by Asakura to secure the 2nd round TKO victory

16 total fights the night was a highlight of an evening of drama and theatre as Red Hiramoto and his younger brother Joe Hiramoto both secured wins. Ryujin Nasakuawa the brother of Tenshin survived an armbar to win via Knees to the head TKO at only 17 years of age.

Cyborg who has never competed in Japan had this to say about RIZIN 45, “It was an epic New Year Eve event. I loved watching it live while I am in training camp.”  Training camp is in reference to her January 19th boxing fight in Temecula California at the Pechanga Casino as the main event of WFC 163.  Fans can get tickets to the fight here.