RIZIN’s Decade Celebration: A Night of Upsets and Triumphs

Saitama, Japan (January 1, 2026) — The RIZIN 10th Anniversary Super Powerhouse Festival, a landmark event marking a decade of high-octane mixed martial arts, delivered a night of unforgettable action and surprises. Held at the iconic Saitama Super Arena, this New Year’s Eve spectacle lived up to its reputation with a series of high-stakes title fights and unexpected outcomes.

Featherweight Dominance

Undefeated champion Razhabali Shaydullaev continued his reign of dominance in the featherweight division, successfully defending his belt against Japanese star Mikuru Asakura. Shaydullaev’s victory came via TKO (punches) at 2:54 of the first round, showcasing his relentless striking prowess and cementing his status as a force to be reckoned with in the division.

Lightweight Shockwave

In a stunning upset that sent shockwaves through the arena, Ilkhom Nozimov dethroned longtime lightweight champion Roberto Satoshi de Souza in a mere 13 seconds. Nozimov’s devastating combination of a knee and punch left the crowd in awe and marked a dramatic shift in the lightweight landscape. This victory not only earned Nozimov the championship belt but also etched his name into RIZIN history.

Flyweight and Bantamweight Glory

The flyweight division saw Hiromasa Ougikubo emerge victorious in the 2025 RIZIN Flyweight Grand Prix Final, defeating Yuki Motoya by unanimous decision to claim the vacant RIZIN Flyweight Championship. Meanwhile, in the bantamweight division, Danny Sabatello dethroned champion Naoki Inoue with a unanimous decision victory, adding another title change to the night’s tally.

Super Atomweight Submission

Seika Izawa successfully defended her super atomweight championship belt against Rena Kubota, securing a submission victory via guillotine choke in the second round. Izawa’s technical prowess and submission skills were on full display, further solidifying her dominance in the division.

Additional Highlights

The night was filled with additional thrilling bouts, including Kleber Koike Erbst’s unanimous decision victory over Vugar Karamov, Ryuya Fukuda’s KO win against Tatsuya Ando, and Kyoma Akimoto’s impressive KO of Suguru Nii. The event also featured a no contest between Karshyga Dautbek and Yuta Kubo due to an accidental eye poke, adding a touch of unpredictability to the evening.

Conclusion

The RIZIN 10th Anniversary Super Powerhouse Festival was a night to remember, filled with high-stakes action, unexpected upsets, and memorable performances. As RIZIN continues to celebrate its decade-long journey, fans can look forward to more thrilling events and unforgettable moments in the world of mixed martial arts.