RIZIN 27 results: Ayaka Hamasaki succeeds in title defense, intense finishes all over undercard

RIZIN 27 had a lot of promise, and it turned out being an event that truly delivered.

The main event title fight showed a far closer fight than the first encounter between challenger Kanna Asakura and Ayaka Hamasaki. In the end Hamasaki’s experience and savvy led her to a split decision victory. There was a lot of back and forth here as Asakura showed herself as a far more capable opponent this time around.

It’s a bit of a heartbreaker, but this is Japan. A much more better second outing could get Asakura another bite at the apple down the line even if Hamasaki holds on to the title, so not all is lost. That and the fact that Asakura remains one of the brightest and strongest talents to come along in a while on the Japanese scene.

As for Hamasaki, it’s unclear who she fights next. She remains an extraordinary fighter in very not-ordinary circumstances, reigning over a division that doesn’t really exist outside of Japan but willing to take on anyone put in front of her.

But the rest of the night had so much drama and sensational finishes to show once again why RIZIN is one of the most unpredictable viewing experiences out there. Quality signings and clever matchmaking leads to results like these.

Roberto Satoshi Souza showed masterful composure and technique with a beautiful triangle choke submission over Kazuki Tokudome in the co-main event:

Satoshi improves to 11-1 in the process, and shows himself to be a menace that could easily challenge for the lightweight title soon. Champion Tofiq Musaev is currently engaged in a military conflict and has no timetable to return, leading Satoshi to call for an interim title to be formed until the champ can return.

Koji Takeda used his wrestling, aggression, strength and relentless offense to earn himself a decision win over Pancrase vet Takasuke Kume and gave us one of the wildest sequences of the night. Remember, stomps are legal.

Takeda is now 12-1, and solidifies his place as one of the most fun talents to watch of this newer generation of Japanese fighters.

Satoshi’s teammate and former KSW champion Kleber Koike Erbst also landed a gorgeous triangle choke over Kazumasa Majima for a second round submission win:

Tsuyoshi Sudario seemed like an unlikely candidate to do it, but he managed to break the previous record and land the fastest knockout in RIZIN history as he made short work of Kazushi Miyamoto in just 8 seconds:

Former UFC and Pancrase fighter Yoshinori Horie also brought the dynamite with a lovely slip counter sequence here against Tetsuya Seki:

Here’s another angle:

And another:

Shooto Watanabe continues to be one of the most consistent Japanese finishers out there and moves up to 22-5 after putting Takumi Taramu in the most unenviable position possible. And no, it’s actually a crank despite the description:

Seigo Yamamoto kept spamming the flying knee button and paid for it dearly against Yutaro Muramoto, ending the fight with yet another first round finish:

Finally, Yuki Ito lands the quick and heavy left hand to put a bow on his fight against Kohei Sugiyama. The former DEEP. ROAD, and Outsider fighter now improves to 7-1 as a pro:

Full results are as follows:

Ayaka Hamasaki def. Kanna Asakura via split decision

Roberto Satoshi def. Kazuki Tokudome via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 1:44

Koji Takeda def. Takasuke Kume via unanimous decision

Kleber Koike def. Kazumasa Majima via submission (triangle choke) – Round 2, 3:02

Tsuyoshi Sudario def. Kazushi Miyamoto via KO (punch) – Round 1, 0:08

Yoshinori Horie def. Tetsuya Seki via KO (punch) – Round 3, 1:16

Hiroki Yamashita def. Kazuma Sone via KO (punch) – Round 1, 0:27

Shooto Watanabe def. Takumi Tamaru via submission (neck crank) – Round 2, 4:13

Yutaro Muramoto def. Seigo Yamamoto via KO (punch) – Round 1, 2:37

Yuki Ito def. Kohei Sugiyama via KO (punch) – Round 1, 0:33