Rizin 23 Results: Asakura Claims Bantamweight Title

Rizin 23 took place in Yokohama on August 10, 2020, with the vacant bantamweight championship on the line between Kai Asakura and Hiromasa Ougikubo. Asakura won by first-round stoppage, using knees and soccer kicks to claim the belt.

Asakura claims the vacant title

Asakura finished Ougikubo at 4:31 of Round 1 with a knee and soccer kicks, securing the vacant Rizin bantamweight championship. The finish confirmed Asakura as the division’s new titleholder after a long buildup and gave the event an emphatic centerpiece.

Saito also wins in Yokohama

Yutaka Saito stopped Kazumasa Majima with soccer kicks and knees in Round 2. Yuki Motoya submitted Mamoru Uoi with a guillotine choke, and Makoto Takahashi caught Seiichiro Ito with a flying guillotine. The short card produced several memorable finishes around the title bout.

A new champion in a quiet arena

Rizin 23 took place during the pandemic period, with event operations shaped by public-health restrictions. The competition still delivered a dramatic change at the top of the bantamweight division. Asakura’s decisive finish became the event’s defining result and established the next chapter of Rizin’s title picture.

Selected results

• Kai Asakura def. Hiromasa Ougikubo — TKO (knee and soccer kicks), Round 1, 4:31; vacant bantamweight title.
• Yutaka Saito def. Kazumasa Majima — KO (soccer kicks and knees), Round 2, 0:24.
• Yuki Motoya def. Mamoru Uoi — guillotine choke, Round 3, 2:19.
• Makoto Takahashi def. Seiichiro Ito — flying guillotine choke, Round 2, 4:30.

Related MMAUSA reading: Rizin · UFC · fighters

Selected Bout Results

• Kai Asakura defeated Hiromasa Ougikubo by TKO (Knee and Soccer Kicks); round 1, 4:31.
• Yuki Motoya defeated Mamoru Uoi by Submission (Guillotine Choke); round 3, 2:19.
• Yutaka Saito defeated Kazumasa Majima by KO (Soccer Kicks and Knees); round 2, 0:24.
• Jin Aoi defeated Kotetsu Boku by Decision (Unanimous); round 3, 5:00.
• Makoto Takahashi defeated Seiichiro Ito by Submission (Flying Guillotine Choke); round 2, 4:30.
• Tatsuki Saomoto defeated Yusaku Nakamura by KO (Punch); round 1, 4:06.

Sources

Sherdog: Rizin 23 card and results; Sherdog: Asakura claims the bantamweight title.

Article Tags

Rizin 23 Recap, Rizin, Mixed Martial Arts, Event Results