Rizin Grand Prix 2016: Mirko Cro Cop’s Triumphant Return
Rizin’s 2016 Openweight Grand Prix reached its final round on December 31 at Saitama Super Arena. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipović entered the night needing two wins to take the tournament, and the veteran delivered a pair of fast finishes against two formidable opponents.
Cro Cop’s two-fight finish
In the semifinal, Filipović knocked out former sumo wrestler Baruto Kaito with a knee to the body just 49 seconds into Round 1. Amir Aliakbari advanced by split decision over Valentin Moldavsky. The final then ended at 2:02 of the first round, when Cro Cop stopped Aliakbari with punches. It was a compact, emphatic route to the grand prix crown.
A strong supporting card
Kron Gracie submitted Tatsuya Kawajiri with a rear-naked choke in Round 2, while Hideo Tokoro submitted Erson Yamamoto by armbar. Rena Kubota stopped Hanna Gujwan with a body kick, and Tenshin Nasukawa submitted Dylan Oligo by guillotine. The night balanced the tournament’s heavyweight drama with established Japanese names and rising talent.
A signature New Year’s Eve moment
For Cro Cop, the result was another late-career high point: four tournament victories across the 2016 bracket culminated in a pair of stoppages on the final card. The final’s speed made the championship run memorable, while the card’s other bouts kept Rizin’s eclectic presentation in view.
Selected results
- Mirko Cro Cop def. Amir Aliakbari — KO (punches), Round 1, 2:02; grand prix final.
- Mirko Cro Cop def. Baruto Kaito — KO (knee to body), Round 1, 0:49.
- Amir Aliakbari def. Valentin Moldavsky — split decision.
- Kron Gracie def. Tatsuya Kawajiri — rear-naked choke, Round 2.
Related MMAUSA reading: fighters · Rizin · Pride
Selected Bout Results
- Mirko Filipovic defeated Amir Aliakbari by KO (Punches); round 1, 2:02.
- Kron Gracie defeated Tatsuya Kawajiri by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke); round 2, 2:04.
- Hideo Tokoro defeated Erson Yamamoto by Submission (Armbar); round 1, 1:19.
- Rena Kubota defeated Hanna Gujwan by KO (Body Kick); round 3, 2:47.
- Andy Nguyen defeated Miyuu Yamamoto by Technical Submission (Armbar); round 1, 4:42.
- Kizaemon Saiga defeated Dillin West by TKO (Punch and Stomp); round 1, 2:03.
- Gabrielle Garcia defeated Yumiko Hotta by TKO (Punches); round 1, 0:41.
- Hayato Sakurai defeated Wataru Sakata by TKO (Punches); round 2, 2:37.
Sources
Article Tags
Rizin Grand Prix 2016, MMA History, Mixed Martial Arts, Event Results
