Kyoji Horiguchi showed why he’s the frontrunner to win the Rizin FF bantamweight grand prix tournament when he punched his ticket to the semifinal round with a first-round TKO of Gabriel Oliveira today at Rizin FF 8.
Despite the former UFC flyweight title challenger being at a noticeable size disadvantage, Horiguchi’s (21-2) slick striking more than made up for it. He dropped Oliveira (10-1) three times in the fight before the referee stepped in to halt the online-streamed pay-per-view headliner at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
Horiguchi was by far the biggest star of the night at Rizin FF 8, which featured an announced attendance of 15,539. He had a big reception during his walkout, and his performance lived up to the excitement as he found his range early in the bout. From there, Oliveira had no chance.
After scoring a pair of knockdowns due to his overwhelming hand speed, Horiguchi finished the job when he dropped Oliveira for a third and final time courtesy of a perfect right-hand left-hook combination. The referee waved it off, moving Horiguchi to 6-0 since his UFC title-fight loss to Demetrious Johnson in April 2015.
McCall’s drops debut to Kape in bizarre fashion
Ian McCall’s (13-6-1) unprecedented run of bad luck continued when he suffered one of the more bizarre stoppage losses in recent memory in his quarterfinal matchup with Manel Kape (9-1).
McCall, who was making his promotional debut at the event following a turbulent run to end his UFC career, lost his fight against Kape due to a doctor’s stoppage in the opening round after the ring ropes appeared to have opened a deep cut on his forehead.
The cut was seemingly caused as McCall’s head skimmed along the ropes. Kape then landed a knee and went for a guillotine that caused blood to spurt from McCall’s cut.
The referee broke up the action, and after some deliberation with the ringside physician, the fight was called off, moving Kape into the bracket A semifinal against Horiguchi.
Ishiwatari, Otsuka advance in bracket B
Shintaro Ishiwatari (24-6-4) delivered a highlight-reel finish against Kevin Petshi (12-4) in his quarterfinal-round bout, putting a perfect counter right hook on the chin of his opponent in the opening round. The fight was competitive while it lasted, but Ishiwatari’s power and pinpoint accuracy was too much and he left the ring with the beautiful knockout win.
The opening quarterfinal matchup of the night saw Takafumi Otsuka (24-13-2) stage a tremendous comeback that ended with a third-round submission of previously unbeaten prospect Khalid Taha (11-1). After being outpaced for the majority of the contest, Otsuka found an opening to lock in a slick top-side arm-in guillotine that left Taha with no choice but to tap.
Following their respective wins, Ishiwatari and Otsuka will meet in the bracket B tournament semifinal.
Prochazka rallies, stops Albrektsson
Jiri Prochazka (20-3-1) was on the losing end of his light-heavyweight matchup with Karl Albrektsson (6-2) – until he got the TKO.
Albrektsson’s wrestling was a key factor in the early stages of the fight. He planted Prochazka on his back after a number of striking exchanges and kept him there of the majority of the 10-minute opening round.
All Prochazka needed was one good get-up, though, and he forced the tables to turn. Prochazka landed some big shots and put Albrektsson into a dangerous situation. He sensed an opportunity to finish the fight, pouncing on his bloodied opponent until the referee stepped in with just seconds remaining in Round 1.
Dandois shocks ‘King’ Reina
Oddsmakers viewed Cindy Dandois (10-3) as yet another sacrificial lamb for rising Japanese sensation “King” Reina Miura (7-1). Dandois, though, had other plans and pulled off the upset by split decision.
Dandois was easily the most experienced opponent Miura has been pitted against in her young career. Although it was a closely contested bout in the women’s bantamweight division that could have gone either way, the veteran savviness of Dandois showed.
Cornered by her good friend and former UFC champ Miesha Tate, “Battlecat” managed to score some timely takedowns against Miura that likely tipped the scales in her favor on the scorecards. Afterward, Dandois attempted to embrace Miura, who was understandable disappointed after suffering her first career loss.
Complete “Rizin FF 8: World Grand Prix 2nd Round” results included:
MAIN CARD (rizinff.com)
- Kyoji Horiguchi def. Gabriel Oliveira via TKO (punches) – Round 1 – bantamweight grand prix quarterfinal (bracket A)
- Manel Kape def. Ian McCall via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 1 – bantamweight grand prix quarterfinal (bracket A)
- Shintaro Ishiwatari def. Kevin Petshi via knockout (punch) – Round 1 – bantamweight grand prix quarterfinal (bracket B)
- Takafumi Otsuka def. Khalid Taha via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 3 – bantamweight grand prix quarterfinal (bracket B)
PRELIMINARY CARD (rizinff.com)
- Jiri Prochazka def. Karl Albrektsson via TKO (punches) – Round 1
- Cindy Dandois def. Reina Miura via split decision
- Jae Hoon Moon def. Anthony Birchak via split decision – bantamweight grand prix quarterfinal reserve bout
- Kai Asakura def. Kizaemon Saiga via TKO (punches, knee) – Round 2
- Kana Watanabe def. Shizuka Sugiyama via unanimous decision
- Kiichi Kunimoto def. Satoru Kitaoka via unanimous decision
- For more on Rizin FF 8, check out the MMA Events section of the site.
