Rizin 21: Mikuru Asakura Triumphs in Main Event
Rizin returned to competition in Hamamatsu on February 22, 2020, with a card led by Mikuru Asakura and Mexican opponent Daniel Salas. Asakura won by knockout, extending his Rizin winning streak and giving the promotion an energetic start to its 2020 calendar.
Asakura stops Salas
Asakura dropped Salas with a head kick and finished with punches, securing the stoppage at 2:34 of Round 2. The victory continued Asakura’s rise as one of Rizin’s most prominent featherweights. It was a decisive main-event performance that suited the promotion’s return after a long gap in its schedule.
Victor Henry spoils Kanehara’s return
In the co-main event, Victor Henry stopped former UFC fighter Masanori Kanehara with punches 45 seconds into Round 2. The result came in Henry’s second Rizin appearance and one of the card’s strongest supporting stories. The show also included a mix of MMA and kickboxing bouts.
A fresh season in Hamamatsu
Rizin 21 balanced Japanese stars with international matchups and delivered quick finishes at the top of the card. Asakura’s head-kick knockout was the defining moment, while Henry’s co-main event win added depth to the night’s story.
Selected results
- Mikuru Asakura def. Daniel Salas — KO (head kick and punches), Round 2, 2:34.
- Victor Henry def. Masanori Kanehara — TKO (punches), Round 2, 0:45.
Related MMAUSA reading: MMA · ONE Championship · RIZIN · fighters
Selected Bout Results
- Mikuru Asakura defeated Daniel Salas by KO (Head Kick and Punches); round 2, 2:34.
- Victor Henry defeated Masanori Kanehara by TKO (Punches); round 2, 0:45.
- Roque Martinez defeated Hideki Sekine by TKO (Soccer Kicks and Punches); round 1, 4:04.
- Marcos Yoshio de Souza defeated Falco Neto Lopes by TKO (Punches); round 1, 1:27.
- Yuto Hokamura defeated Kenji Kato by Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke); round 1, 4:21.
- Naoki Inoue defeated Trent Girdham by Decision (Unanimous); round 3, 5:00.
- Vugar Karamov defeated Kyle Aguon by Decision (Unanimous); round 3, 5:00.
Sources
Sherdog: Rizin 21 card and results; Sherdog: Asakura and Henry score knockouts; Rizin: Asakura–Salas official result.
Article Tags
Rizin 21, Rizin, Mixed Martial Arts, Event Results
