‘Super RIZIN.3’ @ Saitama Super Arena
48,000 spectators. Japanese mixed martial arts event ‘RIZIN’ held ‘Yogibo presents Super RIZIN.3’ at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama on 28 July, 2024 (Sun). The venue was the same as ‘Dynamite! ～The venue was a sold-out stadium version, the first time in 15 years since K-1’s Masato’s retirement match was held at “Dynamite!
The most interesting main event is Mirai Asakura vs Ren Hiramoto, with the semi-finalist, Manny Pacquiao, the greatest boxer of all time who has conquered six weight classes, being the most popular.
The crowd cheered from the entrance ceremony for a direct confrontation between two men with a four-year grudge. The crowd was at its most excited on the day when they entered the ring.
The result lasted just 138 seconds of the first round. Hiramoto took advantage of a momentary lull and landed a series of hooks to Asakura’s face. Asakura was knocked down and was then pounded to the ground, resulting in a shocking TKO. Asakura, the current star of the world of combat sports, was forced to leave the ring, as he had promised to retire if he lost.
I was watching the fight live at the venue, but the ending was so shocking that I couldn’t organise my thoughts, and I can’t even remember the journey back to my hotel. At the same time, this realistic view of the world, in which everything does not end happily, is the real appeal of martial arts. Unlike professional wrestling, where entertainment is the most important aspect, this is an overwhelmingly non-fictional world. It was a day when one could truly experience the catharsis of the old ‘PRIDE’, and there was not an uninteresting match throughout the entire event. Even for the author, who has watched professional martial arts events from all over the world live, it was without doubt a “divine event”.
RIZIN will celebrate its 10th anniversary next year. Including the period of its activities, it is about to surpass that PRIDE. The impact of this event was even greater than PRIDE. It could be said that this was the day when RIZIN surpassed PRIDE.
▼RIZIN FIGHTING FEDERATION
https://jp.rizinff.com/
▼RIZIN FF’s SNS
https://linktr.ee/rizinffofficial
Yogibo presents Cho-RIZIN.3 Tournament Outline
Writer : Yoshiaki Takahashi / Born 8 September 1973. Born in Okayama Prefecture. As an interviewer for New York Biz!, he has interviewed more than 1,000 celebrities, including US presidents, major leaguers, Hollywood stars, athletes, musicians, idols, politicians and businessmen. He conducts interviews on the front lines of the world and delivers the living words of successful people. He also gives lectures to companies and individuals who want to expand overseas, and coordinates events for companies wishing to set up business in New York. He is the author of ‘Pick Up Weapons While Running! (Bookman) and 8 Success Laws Taught by 1,000 People Who Took on New York (Kadokawa Shoten).
