Manel Kape scored a shock win over Japanese frontrunner Kai Asakura in the main event of RIZIN 20 in Saitama, Japan on Tuesday, claiming the RIZIN bantamweight title that Asakura took from Kyoji Horiguchi in the process.
Kape dropped Asakura twice in quick succession before he landed several grounded strikes that prompted the referee to stop the contest. Following the stoppage, Kape immediately left the ring and celebrated with the former foe and champion Horiguchi.
Kape did well to negate Asakura’s reach advantage in the first round. Just as Asakura seemed to grow in the exchanges, Kape finished the round out with a thudding spinning back fist that. The Angolan knockout artist’s pressure paid off early in the second as Asakura went twice with 30 seconds, with the stoppage coming shortly after.
And in a snap, the bantamweight division is upset again! Manel "Prodígio" Kape (15-4) rings in the New Year with a second-round knockout of Kai Asakura – his third such stoppage in a row! The Angolan incendiary is RIZIN's new champ! #RIZIN20 #RIZINFF pic.twitter.com/0yKjaG16AR
— Kyle Johnson (@VonPreux) December 31, 2019
Tenshin Nasukawa remains unbeaten after a one-sided demolition of Rui Ebata in the co-main event of the evening. The undefeated kickboxing sensation swarmed his countryman from the first bell, forcing the referee to wave the contest off after he scored three knockdowns in the first stanza.
Adulterous Tenshin is a whole different beast – breaking Rui Ebata à la Kanna's heart! #RIZIN20 #RIZINFF pic.twitter.com/CVdvQGGJDO
— Kyle Johnson (@VonPreux) December 31, 2019
Check out RIZIN 20 results below.
Main card
Manel Kape def. Kai Asakura via TKO (strikes) at 0:38 of R2
Tenshin Nasukawa vs. Rui Ebata via TKO (three knockdowns) at 2:47 of R1
Seo Hee Ham def. Ayaka Hamasaki via split decision
Mikura Asakura def. John Macapa via unanimous decision
Rena def. Lindsey Vanzandt via TKO (corner stoppage) at 4:42 of R3
Undercard
Tofiq Musaev def. Patricky Pitbull via unanimous decision
Jiri Prochazka def. C.B. Dollaway via KO (left hook) at 1:55 of R1
Simon Biyong def. Vitaly Shemetov via TKO (strikes) at 0:58 of R2
Hiromasa Ogikubo def. Shintaro Ishiwatari via split decision
Jake Heun def. Satoshi Ishii via TKO (strikes) at 1:12 of R1
Patrick Mix def. Yuki Motoya via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:37 of R1
Taiju Shiratori def. Taiga via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 3:00 of R2
Miyuu Yamamoto def. Amp the Rocket via unanimous decision
Patricky Pitbull def. Luiz Gustavo via KO (soccer kick) at 0:28 of R1
Tofiq Musaev def. Johnny Case via TKO (strikes) at 2:45 of R1
Source: www.mmafighting.com
