Japan’s Top Lightweight Koji Takeda

Koji Takeda #1 Lightweight Prospect from Japan 12-1 record is one of the faces of Rizin(Japan’s #1 Promotion). Former Deep Lightweight Champion before signing with Rizin. Takeda making a name for himself for Rizin, Fighting for them in the prime of his career at 27 years old.

Koji Takeda defeated Takasuke Kume at Rizin 27. Unanimous decision.

Koji is the next version of Takanori Gomi and future Rizin Lightweight Champion. Showing the world he’s the best Lightweight from Japan, Become one of the faces of the Rizin Promotion.

Defeated 10 fighters with winning records
Defeated Takasume Kume Former Pancrase Lightweight Champion
12-1 record, 25 years old
Trains at Brave GYM

After the impressive win against Takasuke Kume, Revenging his ONLY loss to Damien Brown at Rizin 29 or Rizin 30.

“I blame that loss on nobody but myself. I injured my back about ten days before the fight, and it was my decision to still fight with an injured back. I was devastated with the loss and it took me time to get over it, but I was able to bounce back with the support of the people around me which I am truly grateful for.”
https://asianmma.com/koji-takeda-wants-to-erase-memories-of-maiden-defeat-at-rizin-24/

Showing he’s the best Lightweight Rizin has, Argument between him and Tofiq Musaev for the #1 Rizin Lightweight.

Watch out for Koji Takeda the well rounded world class fighter high level wrestler from Japan to now prosper for the #1 Japanese MMA promotion Rizin…

Fights against Damien Brown, Daron Cruickshank, Luiz Gustavo in 2021. Leading to a title shot against Tofiq Musaev. Takeda wants to compete against the best of the best fighters, Well facing Tofiq Musaev definitely help.

Facing a Bellator Lightweight like… Brent Primus, Myles Jury, Alfie Davis to name a few. Bellator/Rizin Cross Promotion if Covid-19 slows down.

Having made the decision to put education on the backburner in order to pursue his MMA dreams the 25 year old is totally committed to the sport. He wants to earn a first Rizin win and ultimately follow in the footsteps of Jiri Prochazka and Manel Kape by signing for the UFC,
https://asianmma.com/koji-takeda-wants-to-erase-memories-of-maiden-defeat-at-rizin-24/

Me personally Tofiq Musaev vs Koji Takeda is a Rizin Lightweight DREAM Fight I hope happens in 2021. GREAT for Rizin I’ll definitely order the pay-per-view like a degenerate MMA hardcore fan.

Takeda is a special talent, Leading the charge for Japan MMA in the future. Looking forward to Takeda 2021 campaign.

Archuleta vs Horiguchi Bellator/Rizin 2021

Bellator and Rizin(Japanese Promotion) cross promoting since 2018. Kyoji Horiguchi defending his Rizin Bantamweight Title against Darrion Caldwell twice(former Bellator Bantamweight Champion. Horiguchi can now fight the NEW Bellator Bantamweight Champion Juan Archuleta.

Horiguchi vs Archuleta better happen in 2021. Bantamweight Title Fight, Champion vs Champion. Dream matchup for HARDCORE MMA fans. Besides fighting Demetrious Johnson, My opinion is the toughest opponent for Horiguchi.

Archuleta is one talented fighter, When Bellator signed him I was more than excited. Archuleta was the King of the Cage Bantamweight, Featherweight, Lightweight, Light Welterweight Champion. Easily one of the best Bantamweights in the world with a 25-2 record, All-Around savage who trains with TJ Dillashaw.

Archuleta intrigued by the matchup against Horiguchi, Legacy fight for him.

“Who else is [Horiguchi] going to fight in Japan? You tell me,” Archuleta demanded. “Who else comes to mind with an 18 fight win-streak now. [I’ve] been dominating in and out of every fight I’ve been in. I’ve only lost one round in my whole career. I’ve only been taken down once in my whole career. Who else is he going to fight that will bring some excitement to the table?”
https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/06/juan-archuleta-determined-fight-kyoji-horiguchi-next-even-if-in-japan

Juan Archuleta calling out Horiguchi since his rise with Bellator. Building up the fight best as possible, Millions of viewers will be watching this fight.

When it comes to Bellator’s former bantamweight champ, Horiguchi, Archuleta was especially enthused. “HORIGUCHI!!” he bellowed during Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “I’m still coming for you baby, where you at? I’m hope you’re ready, Horiguchi. I want that fight, baby! I want that RIZIN belt! Let’s go!”
http://Bellator 246: Juan Archuleta Ready for Responsibility of Being Champion

Horiguchi on the other hand defeats Juan Archuleta, Keep adding to his legacy. Mike Brown( American Top Team) says “Horiguchi is the most underrated fighter in the world.” Definitely support Mike Brown’s opinion. Ever since Kyoji Horiguchi signed with Rizin, He radically improved but hat’s off to him. King of Japanese MMA and the face of RIZIN.

“I think he’s grossly underrated, but that happens a lot when you’re fighting outside the UFC,” Brown told MMA Junkie in a phone interview. “But if you look at his record, his pedigree – I mean, it’s incredible. He’s got a great record, and now he’s fighting at 135 where he’s much smaller than guys – I think he can fight at both weight classes (flyweight) fairly easy – but with a few extra pounds, I think him fighting at 135, it’s given him more power.

“My priority is to go get back the Bellator belt I returned. I got my Rizin belt back, and now it’s time to go after the other one,” Horiguchi said.
https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3116089/rizin-26-kyoji-horiguchi-reigns-supreme-and

Horiguchi displayed a Leonardo Da Vinci masterpiece against Kai Asakura at Rizin 26. First round knock out against Asakura, Earns back his Rizin Bantamweight Title.

Scott Coker(Bellator Promoter) and Nobuyuki Sakikibara (Rizin Promoter) better happen in 2021. Dream matchup between two of the BEST Bantamweights in the WORLD.

Cross Promotion MMA Fights I Missed Lol

Since there’s so many talented MMA Fighters all over the world from different MMA Promotions!! More matchups to look at.

Ray Cooper vs Albert Tumenov

Ray Cooper the Third is the PFL Welterweight Champion. Wins over Jake Shields twice, Charles “Crazy” Bennett. Three Time State Wrestler in Hawaii. 20-7 record is a solid fighter.

Albert Tumenov former UFC Welterweight signed with ACB. Becoming the ACB Welterweight Champion. Tumenov has wins over Lorenz Larkin and Alan Jouban.

Emiliano Sordi vs Vadim Nemkov

Emiliano Sordi PFL Light Heavyweight Champion is making a career for himself at Professional Fighters league.

Vadim Nemkov Future Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion is a training partner for Fedor Emelianenko. Impressive winning streak over Phil Davis, Liam McGeary. Nemkov is 27 years old.

Phil De Fries vs Brandon Vera

Phil De Fries KSW Heavyweight Champion. UFC veteran. 18-6 record. I highly doubt he will ever sign with the UFC but it’s cool he built a career with KSW.

Brandon Vera former UFC Light Heavyweight moves to One Championship. Since signing with One Championship became the Heavyweight Champion. Defeated Cage Warriors Heavyweight Champion Mauro Cerilli.

Kiamrian Abbasov vs Jarrah Al-Selawe

Kiamrian Abbasov is the One Championship Welterweight Champion. Defeated Yushin Okami, Zebaztian Kadestam former One Championship Welterweight Champion. He’s one of the best Welterweights in the world.

Jarrah Al- Selawe is the Brave CF Welterweight Champion. Successful career in Brave CF. Love to see him build his profile.

Stephen Loman vs Kai Asakura

Stephen Loman Brave CF Bantamweight Champion. Main attraction for Brave CF. Loman has wins over Gary Mangat, Frans Mlambo. UFC should definitely sign him.

Kai Asakura the Rizin Bantamweight Champion. One of the best Bantamweights not fighting for the UFC. Wins over Ulka Susaki, Kyoji Horiguchi, Manel Kape.

Tofiq Musaev vs Mansour Barnaoui

Tofiq Musaev Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix Champion by defeating Patricio Pitbull. UFC has there eyes on him. Incredible 2019/2020 run with Rizin.

Mansour Barnaoui 19-4 record Road FC Lightweight Champion. Successful career for Road FC. Losses to Ivan Buchinger, Mateusz Gamrot.

Mansour Barnaoui & Rizin

Rizin mission should be signing prospects from all over the world, Prospects like Mansour Barnaoui.

Mansour currently fights for Road FC(South Korea Promotion) as the Road FC Lightweight Champion. Before fighting for Road FC was the M1 Lightweight Champion and the BAMMA Lightweight Champion.

One of Rizin’s weight classes is Lightweight. Stable of Lightweights such as Tofiq Musaev, Daron Cruickshank, Luiz Gustavo, Tastsuya Kawajiri.

Mansour would be the perfect addition to the Rizin Lightweights. Hardcore fan fight Mansour Barnaoui vs Tofiq Musaev.

Including the fights with Bellator. Mansour can represent Rizin well, Can defeat the best Bellator Lightweights.

Defeating Bellator Lightweights will place Mansour Barnaoui as one of the best Lightweights not in the UFC.

Signing a 27 Year Old Lightweight, Multiple time Lightweight Champion for a couple promotions will be nothing but positive for Rizin.

Rizin & Brazil Prospects

Rizin Fight Federation last couple years is growing with Bellator/Rizin events. Kyoji Horiguchi being the STAR of Rizin. Love to see Rizin become the modern day Pride. Rizin signing fighters from Brazil that are new version of Wanderlei, Shogun, Ricardo Arona and Anderson Silva.

Rizin should learn from the days of Pride and sign the TOP Brazilian prospects.

Signing future Rizin Bantamweight Championships like Carlos Augusto da Silva, Gustavo Erak, Herbeth Sousa.

Brazilian Bantamweight Prospects fighting Kyoji Horiguchi, Kai Asakura, Takeya Mizugaki.

Sign Brazilian Lightweights like Luan Santiago which should on the top of their list. Luan Santiago vs Tofiq Musaev, Luan Santiago vs Patricio Pitbull, Luan Santiago vs Daron Cruickshank.

All of them would be incredible fights.

Rizin signing 20 Brazilian Prospects that have potential to become Rizin champions, Best Lightweights, Light Heavyweights, Bantamweights not fighting for the UFC.

Nobuyuki Sakakibara mission NEEDS to be signing the Pound for Pound Prospects from Brazil.

Rizin Should Sign Jose Torres BRAVE CF Bantamweight

Rizin Fighting Federation Bantamweight Division is one of their few weight classes with Kyoji Horiguchi, Kai Asakura, Takya Mizugaki, Justin Scoggins and Victor Henry. Since Manel Kape signed with UFC, Congrats to him and his family. Rizin should sign Jose Torres when his contract expires.

Jose Torres BRAVE CF

Jose Torres is a 27 year old Bantamweight, Former UFC Flyweight who only fought twice with the UFC. Post UFC signed with the Brave Combat Federation #1 Middle East Promotion. Top TEN MMA Promotion in the world.

Torres at Brave CF 23 defeated Amir Albazi, London Shootfighters Prospect, Former Bellator fighter. Impressive win for Torres as Amir is one of the best young Bantamweights in the world.

Jose Torrres is one of the upcoming stars for Brave CF as it’s well deserved.

Brave CF 29 Torres would’ve fought for the Brave CF Flyweight Title but the fight was postponed because Torres father would pass away.

Brave CF 35 Torres vs Mattheus Niccolau was part of GROUP A for the Inaugural Brave CF Flyweight Tournament. However that was canceled as well because of the annoying virus.

Two exciting fights that Jose Torres has to make up in 2020 when the Virus is officially over!!

Torres defeats Niccolau, Than Malcom Gordon or Flavio De Queroz.

“I actually think Matteus Nicolaus is a much tougher fight than Marcel Adur,” Torres said. “We saw his fights against John Moraga, and we saw his fights against Louis Smolka. Both guys are good. John Moraga is a veteran and Louis Smolka, I believe he had a six-fight run in the UFC before he was released and re-signed.
https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/2/9/21130385/brave-cf-holds-flyweight-tournament-to-crown-inaugural-champion

Torres vs Gordon for the BRAVE CF Flyweight Title be one of the biggest flyweight fights of the year. Torres wins that I believe his multi fight deal expires.

Rizin & Jose Torres

Jose Torres contract expires with Brave CF in 2021 he should take his talents to Rizin and fight in the Rizin Bantamweight Tournament. Opportunity to fight Kyoji Horiguchi for the Rizin Bantamweight Title, Fight Bellator Bantamweights and earn LOT MORE MONEY.

Makes the best business sense to fight for Rizin.

IF I was the Rizin Promoter

Rizin is one of the top TEN MMA promotions in the world started by Nobuyuki Sakakibara. Nobuyuki doing a great job promoting Rizin by having cross promotions with Bellator.

Nobuyuki creating great events with Kyoji Horiguchi, Jiri Prochazka, Tenshin Nasukawa as the headliner. Rizin has potential to be a TOP 5 Promotion by defeating the Professional Fighters League as the #4 Promotion.

If I was Nobuyuki Sakakibara I’d change several things to make sure Rizin is what Pride used to be!!

Sign Top Prospects

MMA growing all over the world, Ten year old kids training in MMA and making MMA their life. Rizin can discover future RIZIN Bantamweight, Light Heavyweight, Lightweight Champions from Latin America, Eastern Europe, Sub- Saharan Africa, South East Asia.

Sign prospects like Joanderson Brito, Stephen Loman, Albert Tumenov, Igeu Kabesa, Taylor Lapilus, Ahmed Faress in 2020. All those prospects are capable of winning Rizin Championships and defeating Bellator fighters.

Acquire prospects that can headline Rizin Events and be part of the future for Rizin. Showing the world that Rizin has some of the best fighters in the world too!!

Sign Free Agents

Free Agency is a new trend recently with Bellator and One Championship really taking advantage of signing UFC, PFL or Rizin Fighters. Rizin wants to compete with the other promotions time to sign free agents from UFC, Bellator, PFL, One Championship.

Build up the top of their roster who can compete in the RIZIN Tournaments. Be the stars of Rizin right away.

More Cross Promotions

Bellator cross promotion partnership is genius with Kyoji Horiguchi defeating Darrion Caldwell, Tofiq Musaev defeating Patricio Pitbull.

The Cross Promotions should continue for Rizin besides the one with Bellator. Rizin should partner with KSW, Having some sick title fights such as Salahdine Parnasse vs Tenshin Nasukawa, Norman Parke vs Tofiq Musaev, Simon Biyong vs Tomasz Narkun.

Rizin partnership with Extreme Fighting Championship. #1 Africa Promotion. Partnership with Brave Combat Federation. Stephen Loman fights Kai Asukura or Kyoji Horiguchi.

Cross Promotion events will create more dream fights for hardcore fans, Increase number of PPV Buys on FITE TV.

TV DEAL

Rizin and FITE TV having a streaming deal where you can watch their fights but have to pay. Only hardcore MMA fans like myself will watch but to engage with NEW fans, Nobuyuki Sakikibara should partner with HBO, Showtime, NBC Sports, Fox Sports.

Sign a two year ten million dollar deal with HBO, Giving it a try seeing if it works or not.

Somebody will scroll on the TV guide and see a MMA promotion Rizin is on. Fighting in a boxing ring instead of the famous octagon.

TV Deal will attract free agents as well because who doesn’t like fighting on a big time network, Helps the fighters out with endorsements.

Rizin Simon Biyong vs Bellator

Simon Biyong 7-1 Light Heavyweight from Cameroon signed a multi fight deal with Rizin as he was the Extreme Fighting Championship Light Heavyweight Champion. Simon Biyong 1-0 with Rizin defeating Vitaly Shemetov.

Biyong will be the next Rizin Light Heavyweight Champion, Become one of the most hottest Light Heavyweight prospects in the world and sign with the UFC as Rizin is becoming a feeder league.

Before he signs with UFC. Simon Biyong in the next year and half can have some very interesting cross promotion fights with Bellator!! Wins over Bellator Light Heavyweights will place Biyong on the map. The rise of Africa MMA will continue.

Phil Davis

Former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion is 8-2 with Bellator. One of the best Light Heavyweights not in the UFC. On a two fight winning streak. Phil Davis the decorated Penn State Wrestler, Four time All-American vs Simon Biyong Rizin Light Heavyweight would be intriguing to watch.

Ryan Bader

Future Rizin Light Heavyweight Champion Simon Biyong vs Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion will be one of the best fights on paper for 2020. Main Event Fight. Dream come true fight for the hardcore fans. Bader looks to accomplish greatness with Bellator as a double champ, Being a triple champ by defeating Simon Biyong.

Or Simon Biyong shocks the world with a win over Ryan Bader. Same way Kyoji Horiguchi defeated Darrion Caldwell.

Fighters Rizin should sign in 2020!!

Rizin Fighting Federation founded in 2015 by Nobuyuki Sakikibara. Former promoter of the year in 2003 and 2004 as the Pride Promoter. Rizin since 2015 has continued to grow with the Bellator partnership, Signing fighters like Kyoji Horiguchi to represent Rizin!! Rizin isn’t going anywhere and signing the “Right” Fighters can build their brand!!

Blagoy Ivanov

Blagoy was the former WSOF Heavyweight Champion, #11 Heavyweight for UFC. No disrespect to Blagoy but I don’t see Blagoy winning the UFC Heavyweight Title anytime soon but doesn’t mean he isn’t a world class heavyweight. Love seeing MMA fighters take advantage of free agency and Blagoy be perfect for Rizin.

Bubba Jenkins

Bubba Jenkins Brave Combat Federation Featherweight Champion is a WORLD CLASS FEATHERWEIGHT. Former Arizona State Wrestler. Three fight winning streak, Last win was defending the Brave CF Featherweight Title against Lucas Martins.

Mansour Barnaoui

Underrated Lightweight Prospect at 27 years old is the Road FC Lightweight Champion. Road FC is the #1 South Korea MMA promotion. Fight Tofiq Musaev for the Rizin Lightweight Title.

Igeu Kabesa

Igeu Kabesa #1 Prospect from Africa is the Extreme Fighting Championship Featherweight Champion, Simon Biyong now Rizin Light Heavyweight Fighter was the EFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Igeu can fight Kyohi Horiguchi for a RIZIN main event.

Luan Santiago

Pride was known for their world class Brazilian fighters from Shogun Rua, Wanderlei Silva, Anderson Silva, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Ricardo Arona, Vitor Belfort. Luan Santiago former Brave CF Lightweight Champion is one of the best Brazilian Prospects at 25 years old.

Natan Schulte

Natan Schulte 27 year old Lightweight PFL Two Time Lightweight Champion beat some world class Russian Lightweights in the Professional Fighters League. Love to see Rizin sign Schulte and compete in the Rizin vs Bellator promotions. Natan Schulte vs Tofiq Musaev, Schulte vs Patricio Pitbull.

Simon Biyong Rizin Light Heavyweight Africa Prospect

“Runt of my people” Israel Adesanya. Africa lately has become a hot bed for MMA talent with Israel Adesanya, Kamaru Usman, Francis Ngannou and Sodiq Yusuff. One of the next fighters to come from Africa is Simon Biyong, Fighter from Cameroon.

Simon Biyong 28 year old Light Heavyweight was the Extreme Fighting Championship Light Heavyweight Champion. Rizin 20 defeated Vitaly Shemetov in Rizin Debut.

“I’ve signed [with Rizin FF] a two-bout deal”, Biyong told BJPENN.com. “I’m making my debut on December 31 and I’ll probably fight in Japan again in July, but I don’t know just yet.”
https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/exclusive-interviews/simon-biyong-is-chasing-rizin-gold/

“I’m more than happy to fight for the South African promotion EFC, in my native continent. Thanks to my management, the Calibian Sports Management, I’ve signed for a six-bout deal with the EFC. I have five bouts left on the contract and I’m defending my light heavyweight title in 2020.”

Biyong fighting for two popular MMA promotions will make him get noticed, Prime of his career at 29 to 30 years old you may see Biyong fight for UFC or Bellator.

Kyoji Horiguchi vs Manel Kape Rizin 2020 Bantamweight Title Fight

Kyoji Horiguchi Rizin Former Bantamweight Champion after losing to Kai Asakura at Rizin 18. Torn ACL caused Horiguchi to not rematch Kai Asakura. Manel Kape would defeat Kai Asakura at Rizin 20 to win the Rizin Bantamweight Champion. Kyoji Horiguchi vs Manel Kape is the fight to make!!

Horiguchi fully healthy is a top 50 pound for pound fighter, #2 Bantamweight in the world and what a way to return to fight Manel Kape. Tough fight for Horiguchi!!

Manel Kape been on a tear of late with a three fight winning streak defeating Asakura and Takeya Mizugaki a WEC/UFC former fighter. Rising Bantamweight Fighter in the world.

Fight between Horiguchi vs Kape would be an interesting fighter to watch. Selling out the Saitama Super Arena.

Kyoji Horiguchi Rizin Bantamweight Champion Signs with One Championship 2020

Kyoji Horiguchi one of the best Best Bantamweights in the world, Defeated Darrion Caldwell twice, Ben Ngyuen, Ian McCall for Rizin. Star of the Rizin Promotion. Rizin is growing with the Bellator cross promotion but the fastest growing MMA promotion is One Championship. Love to see Kyoji take advantage of free agency and sign with One Championship.

Horiguchi has relinquished his Bellator title due to injury, Bellator announced Wednesday. Rizin had announced last week that Horiguchi was out of the Rizin 20 main event on Dec. 31 following surgery to repair a torn ACL and a damaged meniscus. Horiguchi also gave up his Rizin belt.

Horiguchi has relinquished his Bellator title due to injury, Bellator announced Wednesday. Rizin had announced last week that Horiguchi was out of the Rizin 20 main event on Dec. 31 following surgery to repair a torn ACL and a damaged meniscus. Horiguchi also gave up his Rizin belt.
https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/28177053/kyoji-horiguchi-gives-bellator-belt-due-injury

Fully healthy Kyoji is a dangerous fighter, Regain his titles fighting Manel Kape(Rizin Bantamweight Champion) Fighting the Bellator Bantamweight Champion.

After two fights with Rizin in 2020 I can see Kyoji switching over to One Championship and fighting Demetrious Johnson in the biggest fight for One Championship.