Hyuma Yasui Beats Ryan Cafaro by Decision at RIZIN LANDMARK 16

On October 3, 2026, Hyuma Yasui delivered one of the most important performances of his young career, earning a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Ryan Cafaro in a featherweight contest at RIZIN LANDMARK 16 in Nagasaki, Japan. The bout showcased Yasui’s grappling pressure, positional control, and relentless pace across three demanding rounds as he secured a statement win on one of Japan’s premier MMA stages. [mmatown.com], [next-fight.com]

The matchup paired the 25-year-old Japanese prospect against the experienced American veteran Cafaro, creating an intriguing clash between rising talent and seasoned resistance. Over the course of 15 minutes, both fighters demonstrated toughness and technical skill, but Yasui’s sustained control and offensive initiative ultimately proved decisive.

Hyuma Yasui Takes Control Early

From the opening moments, Yasui made his intentions clear. Rather than engage exclusively in a striking battle, he quickly looked to impose his wrestling and grappling game.

An early takedown allowed the Japanese featherweight to establish top control and begin dictating the pace of the fight. Yasui consistently worked toward dominant positions, including back control, while forcing Cafaro to spend long stretches defending on the mat.

Although Cafaro remained composed under pressure and avoided serious danger, Yasui’s ability to control where the fight took place gave him a clear advantage during the opening frame. The first round set the tone for what would become a physically demanding contest.

Cafaro Shows Veteran Toughness in Round Two

The second round featured more exchanges on the feet, where Cafaro attempted to shift momentum through his striking and movement.

Yasui responded effectively, landing clean punches and continuing to press forward. Whenever Cafaro appeared to build momentum, Yasui found ways to close distance, initiate clinch exchanges, and reestablish control.

To Cafaro’s credit, the American demonstrated remarkable durability and defensive awareness. Despite facing constant pressure, he repeatedly escaped difficult positions and prevented Yasui from securing a finish. His resilience kept the fight competitive and forced Yasui to work for every advantage.

Submission Threats Highlight the Final Round

With the fight potentially still in reach, both men entered the third round knowing a strong finish could influence the judges.

Yasui continued to lean on his grappling strengths, creating multiple submission opportunities and repeatedly threatening Cafaro from dominant positions. The Japanese featherweight controlled key sequences of the round, searching aggressively for a stoppage.

Cafaro, however, once again showcased his defensive skills. He fought off submission attempts, escaped dangerous situations, and survived until the final bell. While he was unable to significantly swing the fight in his favor, his ability to withstand sustained pressure was one of the bout’s most impressive storylines.

Judges Reward Yasui’s Consistency

When the scorecards were read, the outcome reflected Yasui’s control throughout the contest.

The judges unanimously awarded the fight to Hyuma Yasui, with all three officials scoring the bout in his favor. The victory improved Yasui’s standing within the RIZIN featherweight division and reinforced his reputation as a promising talent capable of handling experienced opposition. [mmatown.com], [next-fight.com]

For Cafaro, the loss did little to diminish the toughness he displayed throughout the matchup. His ability to endure prolonged grappling exchanges and defend numerous submission attempts demonstrated the veteran grit that has defined his career.

Emotional Victory Speech Caps Memorable Night

Following the win, an exhausted but emotional Yasui addressed the Nagasaki crowd. The victorious featherweight thanked his mentor, Mikuru Asakura, and expressed gratitude to his supporters from Miyazaki, sharing a heartfelt moment after one of the biggest wins of his professional career.

The victory represented more than a tally in the win column. It served as a showcase of Yasui’s evolving skill set and highlighted his ability to execute a disciplined game plan against a durable opponent on a major stage.

As RIZIN continues to develop its next generation of stars, Yasui’s performance against Cafaro may ultimately be remembered as a key step forward in his ascent through the featherweight ranks.

Fight Result

RIZIN LANDMARK 16 – Featherweight Bout

• Hyuma Yasui def. Ryan Cafaro
• Method: Unanimous Decision
• Location: Nagasaki, Japan
• Event: RIZIN LANDMARK 16
• Date: October 3, 2026 [mmatown.com], [next-fight.com]

Sources

• RIZIN LANDMARK 16 Event Results – MMATown
• Rizin FF – Landmark Vol. 16 Results – Next Fight
• RIZIN LANDMARK 16 in Nagasaki Event Listing – eFight

Article Tags

RIZIN LANDMARK 16, Hyuma Yasui, Ryan Cafaro, RIZIN FF, RIZIN MMA, Featherweight MMA, Japanese MMA, Mikuru Asakura, MMA News, MMA Results, Combat Sports, Nagasaki Japan, Mixed Martial Arts, RIZIN Fighting Federation, Fight Recap