Gabi ataca uses her feared americana from side control at Rizin 14. Rizin FF
It’s already the new year in Japan, and to close out 2018 with a golden key, the Rizin Fighting Federation, which was assembled to put the fondly remembered Pride FC back together, kept up the tradition of holding an MMA event to mark the turn of the year. And Rizin 14 was no slouch, bringing 30 thousand people to Tokyo’s Saitama Super Arena.
In the night’s most highly anticipated bout, undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather made his debut in an MMA event — an exhibition match under boxing rules against kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa. Wearing boxing gloves, the 41-year-old legend barely registered the presence of Nasukawa, a 20-year-old undefeated in kickboxing (28 wins) and MMA (four wins).
Mayweather, who is bigger and heavier, went in smiling. After the first punch thrown by Nasukawa, Mayweather picked up the pace, achieving three consecutive knock-downs and forcing his opponent’s corner to throw in the towel in round 1.
#RIZIN #RIZINFF #RIZIN14 pic.twitter.com/mckBBpYrwo
— Jonnyboy (@JBNeverDies) 31 de dezembro de 2018
The co-main event was a crossover of federations, with Rizin’s Kyoji Horiguchi facing Bellator champion Darrion Caldwell. Victory went to the Japanese fighter, who managed to free himself from Caldwell’s sticky game to finish via guillotine in round 3.
Kyoji Horiguchi Wins Sub R3#RIZIN #RIZINFF #RIZIN14 #ANDSTILL pic.twitter.com/sBFxc8TbWg
— Jonnyboy (@JBNeverDies) 31 de dezembro de 2018
Prior to these fights, Gabi Garcia, the world BJJ champion undefeated in MMA, stepped in the ring to defend her perfect record against fellow Brazilian fighter Barbara Nepomuceno. After landing some strikes and shortening the distance, Gabi took the action to the ground, arrived in side control and employed her well-known americana.
Glory Heavyweight Champion 2020
She’s coming Rico and she’s coming fast. #RIZIN #RIZINFF #RIZIN14 pic.twitter.com/9n6LdEywSn
— Jonnyboy (@JBNeverDies) 31 de dezembro de 2018
Gabi Garcia Wins Sub R1#RIZIN #RIZINFF #RIZIN14 pic.twitter.com/AP4P9RjIcE
— Jonnyboy (@JBNeverDies) 31 de dezembro de 2018
Rizin 14
Tokyo, Japan
Dec. 31st, 2018
Floyd Mayweather def. Tenshin Nasukawa, TKO, R1 (boxing)
Kyoji Horiguchi def. Darrion Caldwell, guillotine, R3
Ayaka Hamasaki def. Kanna Asakura, armbar, R2
Jiri Prochazka def. Brandon Halsey, TKO, R2
Gabi Garcia def. Barbara Nepomuceno, americana, R1
Damien Brown def. Daron Cruickshank, guillotine, R1