Why RIZIN's flyweight world grand prix lineup is sending shockwaves through MMA
The announcement of RIZIN Fighting Federation of their flyweight world grand prix has generated massive hype within the mixed martial arts live, with the Japanese promotion inviting a superstar 10-fighter field that will go toe-to-toe when the tournament commences on July 27, 2025, at Super RIZIN 4 on Saitama Super Arena.
The exit of a previous champ, Kyoji Horiguchi, has given way to a fresh start to the 125-pound division, and the lineup uniting the competitors is one of the most competitive flyweight tournaments in recent history.
Veterans bring championship pedigree to stacked tournament field
The validity of this tournament lies in the quality of known fighters who are ready to fight the empty crown. Hiromasa Ougikubo is 38 years old and has experience beyond compare, having already won a RIZIN tournament by defeating bantamweights Naoki Inoue and Kai Asakura in the same tournament in December 2021.
His win over future Ultimate Fighting Championship winner Alexandre Pantoja in The Ultimate Fighter in 2016 proves that he can fight against the best.
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In the meantime, Jose Torres enters as a former Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran and former champion in Brave Combat Federation and Titan Fighting Championship with international credentials on his resume despite his recent struggles as a member of Brave.
The presence of Makoto Shinryu makes it even more intriguing, as the grizzled veteran has already fought Horiguchi twice in an attempt to win the belt, and lost both times by submission after a prior eye-poke no-contest situation. The fact that he has already experienced the competition of the championship scale and that he has a 5-3 RIZIN record is what makes him a serious contender to take the vacant throne.
Rising stars and international flavor create global appeal
A presence of veterans is not the only thing that will make the tournament globally appealing; undefeated Dagestani prospect Alibek Gadzhammatov is part of the next generation of flyweight talent.
The 5-0 record of the 23-year-old, which includes a knockout win over Daichi Kitakata in his November 2024 RIZIN debut, reflects the finishing power that has earned the fighter the nickname of fan-favorite. The fact that he cannot make a decision when it comes to being a professional fighter will bring a sense of uncertainty that may upset the bracket.
Nkazimulo Zulu represents the Africans as a former two-division champion of Extreme Fighting Championship with an 87 percent finishing rate and an equal number of knockouts (seven) and submissions.
His title decision loss to Horiguchi on New Year's Eve showed that he is at that level of the best and Takaki Soya just defeated former Ultimate Fighting Championship title challenger John Dodson by a unanimous decision at RIZIN Otoko Matsuri on May 4, and that is just to show the strength of the tournament.
Also Read:
Why Sean O'Malley is relieved Ilia Topuria ignored his callout after UFC 317 knockout
RIZIN Fighting Federation's flyweight world grand prix represents more than just a tournament—it's a statement that the Japanese promotion remains committed to showcasing world-class talent across all weight divisions, ensuring the flyweight championship will be held by a truly deserving competitor.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
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