Rizin 26: Kyoji Horiguchi’s Triumphant Return
Rizin 26 closed 2020 with a bantamweight title rematch between Kyoji Horiguchi and Kai Asakura. Horiguchi avenged his earlier knockout loss by stopping Asakura with punches at 2:48 of Round 1, reclaiming the championship in a dramatic New Year’s Eve main event.
Horiguchi avenges the first meeting
More than a year after Asakura had stopped him, Horiguchi returned from injury and produced a sharp, decisive performance. He landed the punches that ended the fight at 2:48 of the opening round and recaptured the bantamweight title. The result reversed one of Rizin’s most significant upsets and completed a compelling rivalry arc.
Hamasaki reclaims the title; more finishes follow
Ayaka Hamasaki submitted Miyuu Yamamoto with a leg-scissor choke to win the vacant title. Mikuru Asakura knocked out Satoshi Yamasu with a head kick and punches, while Naoki Inoue submitted Yuki Motoya with a rear-naked choke. Kleber Koike Erbst also finished Kyle Aguon with a brabo choke.
A year-end card with championship stakes
Rizin 26 delivered two title-winning performances and several emphatic finishes. Horiguchi’s comeback win was the night’s defining moment, while Hamasaki’s submission showed the depth of the women’s divisions. The event sent the promotion into 2021 with a familiar champion back at bantamweight.
Selected results
- Kyoji Horiguchi def. Kai Asakura — TKO (punches), Round 1, 2:48; bantamweight title.
- Ayaka Hamasaki def. Miyuu Yamamoto — leg-scissor choke; vacant title.
- Mikuru Asakura def. Satoshi Yamasu — KO (head kick and punch), Round 1, 4:20.
- Naoki Inoue def. Yuki Motoya — rear-naked choke.
- Kleber Koike Erbst def. Kyle Aguon — brabo choke.
Related MMAUSA reading: Rizin · Bellator · fighters · UFC
Selected Bout Results
- Kyoji Horiguchi defeated Kai Asakura by KO (Punches); round 1, 2:48.
- Mikuru Asakura defeated Satoshi Yamasu by KO (Head Kick and Punch); round 1, 4:20.
- Ayaka Hamasaki defeated Miyuu Yamamoto by Submission (Leg Scissor Choke); round 1, 1:42.
- Naoki Inoue defeated Yuki Motoya by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke); round 1, 3:00.
- Kleber Koike Erbst defeated Kyle Aguon by Technical Submission (Brabo Choke); round 1, 4:22.
- Kyohei Hagiwara defeated Ren Hiramoto by TKO (Corner Stoppage); round 2, 1:29.
- Hideo Tokoro defeated Shinobu Ota by Submission (Armbar); round 2, 2:24.
- Yuta Sasaki defeated Kenta Takizawa by Decision (Unanimous); round 3, 5:00.
Sources
Sherdog: Rizin 26 card and results; Sherdog: Horiguchi reclaims the title.
Article Tags
Rizin 26, Rizin, Mixed Martial Arts, Event Results
