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RIZIN, the powerhouse of mixed martial arts, brought the year to a crescendo with an unforgettable night of electrifying finishes at Saitama Super Arena in Japan. New Year's Eve witnessed Kyoji Horiguchi's coronation as the inaugural flyweight champion in a thrilling rematch against Makoto Shinryu at RIZIN 45.
Their first encounter ended abruptly due to an accidental eye-poke, leading to a no-contest in July. This time, Horiguchi and Shinryu engaged in a furious battle, showcasing relentless submission attempts. The showdown reached its climax in the second round, as Horiguchi secured Shinryu's back, paving the way for a rear-naked choke and solidifying his status as the flyweight king.
Meanwhile, in a high-stakes co-main event, Kai Asakura claimed the RIZIN bantamweight championship with a spectacular victory over Juan Archuleta. Despite Archuleta's weight miss resulting in a title-stripping penalty, he courageously battled Asakura in a fiery brawl, earning a yellow card for post-bell punches. Asakura's precision strike to the body sealed the win in Round 2, marking his triumphant return to bantamweight glory.
The card delivered more jaw-dropping moments as former champions clashed for supremacy. Kleber Koike utilized a guillotine choke to render Yutaka Saito unconscious, securing his dominance in the RIZIN featherweight rankings.
Additionally, Hiromasa Ougikubo made an impressive comeback, breaking a three-fight skid with a unanimous decision win against former UFC contender John Dodson in a thrilling flyweight clash.
Notably, Seika Izawa's flawless MMA record extended to 12-0 as she bid farewell to the sport by retiring 49-year-old Miyuu Yamamoto with a rear-naked choke, concluding her remarkable career under the RIZIN banner.
The night continued to deliver excitement as Mikio Ueda stunned with a head kick knockout against Tsuyoshi Sudario, while Shinobu Ota and Igor Tanabe secured slick submissions, adding to the thrilling roster of finishes.
RIZIN 45 showcased the epitome of combat sports, highlighting sensational victories, triumphant returns, and emotional farewells. The event encapsulated the essence of martial arts excellence, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the thrilling saga of RIZIN.