Welcome to Fightful.com's live viewing party of the Rizin 2016 Openweight Grand Prix Opening Round. We'll be bringing you full, round-by-round coverage of every fight on the card. You can also send in your feedback on our Disqus boards below! The show features commentary by Fightful.com's own Showdown Joe!
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Kron Gracie, Gabi Garcia, and two Pride FC legends will be fighting Sunday at RIZIN World Grand Prix 2016: Opening Round. The event streams live from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett will take on Brazilian kickboxer Minoru Kimura in a "special rules" mixed-martial-arts bout. Mirko Cro-Cop makes his promotional debut in the World Grand Prix. The grand prix is an openweight contest featuring twelve fighters and will take place on three separate nights.
You can see the full card below.
2016 Openweight Grand Prix Tournament Bouts
Mirko Cro Cop def. Hyun Man Myung by submission via arm triangle choke
Baruto def. Kazuyuki Fujita by decision
Jiri Prochazka def. Mark Tanios by decision
Valentin Moldavksy def. Karl Albrektsson by decision
Amir Aliakbari def. Joao Almeida by TKO via strikes
Syzmon Bajor def. Teodoras Aukstoulis by decision
Non-Tournament Bouts
Kron Gracie def. Hideo Tokoro by submission via rear naked choke
Rena def. Miyuu Yamamoto by submission via front choke
Daron Cruickshank def. Andy Souwer by submission via rear naked choke
Erson Yamamoto def. Kizaemon Saiga by decision
Charles Bennett def. Minoru Kimura by TKO via strikes
Kanako Murata def. Kyra Batara by decision
Gabi Garcia def. Destiny Yarbrough by submission via Americana
Gabi Garcia vs. Destanie Yarbrough
Round One: The round begins with Yarbrough attacking Garcia with leg kicks, Yarbrough grabs a hold of Garcia to briefly hold her against the ropes. Garcia breaks free to eat an overhand right from Garcia, Garcia follows up by landing a straight right. Yarbrough lands a leg kick and she eats a right from Garcia afterwards, Garcia drags Yarbrough to the ground and she gets back control. Garcia starts attacking Yarbrough with lots of ground and pound, Garcia transitions to side control on Yarbrough. Garcia advances to the full mount and applies the Americana to force a tap out from Yarbrough.
Official Result: Gabi Garcia def. Destiny Yarbrough by submission via Americana
Kanako Murata vs. Kyra Batara
Round One: The round begins with Batara coming in on Murata and landing a quick combination, Murata charges at Batara while landing a few strikes. Batara starts nailing Murata with some leg kicks and a left hook, Murata scores a takedown on Batara and she holds her down in a headlock. Murata lands a lot of strikes as she transitions to back control, Batara makes her way to her feet with Murata holding onto her. Murata controls the head of Batara while landing a ton of knee strikes, Murata scores another takedown on Batara and she gets the half guard. Batara tries attacking Murata with strikes while on her back, Murata lands a knee on Batara as she gets back to her feet again. Murata catches Batara with some standing elbow strikes to the head, the referee resets the fighters after they get tangled in the ropes and the round ends a few moments later.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Murata
Round Two: The round begins with Batara attacking Murata with a few leg kicks, Batara and Murata exchange a few rights. Murata looks for the takedown and Batara makes her pay by landing a knee strike, Murata scores a takedown on Batara and she gets side control. Murata attacks a downed Batara with a few knee strikes, Batara scrambles to her feet and Murata nails her with a knee strike to the head. Batara tries attacking Murata with a few jabs, Murata trips up Batara and she tries locking her in a modified rear naked choke. Murata releases the choke as she gains the half guard on Batara, Murata locks Batara in the arm triangle choke and Murata eventually releases the hold. Batara scrambles to her feet again and she eats some more knee strikes from Murata, Murata hits Batara with a few rights as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-8 for Murata (Overall Score: 20-17 for Murata)
Round Three: The round begins with Batara charging at Murata while throwing a combination, Murata scores a takedown on Batara and she gets the headlock position. Murata starts attacking Batara with some ground and pound, Batara causes a scramble and she gets up with Murata holding onto her. Murata drops Batara with a knee strike to the midsection, Murata attacks Batara with some knee strikes as the fighters are on the ground. Murata transitions to back control on Batara, Batara scrambles to her feet as Murata nails her with a few more rights. Murata scores another takedown on Batara and she nails her with a knee strike after that, Batara quickly gets back to her feet with Murata holding onto her. Batara tries falling to the ground to escape the grasp of Murata and Murata winds up on top of her, Murata nails Batara with a knee strike. The fighters scramble to their feet as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-8 for Murata (Final Score: 30-25 for Murata)
Official Result: Kanako Murata def. Kyra Batara by decision
Minoru Kimura vs. Charles Bennett
Round One: The round begins with Bennett dropping a leaping Kimura with a right, Bennett pounces on him with a few more strikes and the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Charles Bennett def. Minoru Kimura by TKO via strikes
Teodoras Aukstoulis vs. Szymon Bajor (2016 Openweight Grand Prix Opening Round Fight)
Round One: The round begins with Aukstoulis peppering Bajor with a jab, Bajor follows up by nailing Aukstoulis with a right hook. Bajor goes right into attacking Aukstoulis with some jabs of his own, the fighters also exchange a few rights. Aukstoulis comes forward at Bajor while landing a two punch combination, Aukstoulis starts attacking Bajor with some leg kicks as well. Bajor rocks a swinging Aukstoulis with a counter right, Aukstoulis recovers and he connects with a left hook on Bajor. Bajor responds by landing a two punch combination followed by a kick to the midsection, Bajor then nails a kicking Aukstoulis with a counter right. Bajor backs Aukstoulis into the ropes before landing a knee strike, Bajor charges at Aukstoulis while landing a right. Aukstoulis eats a few more shots as he catches Bajor with an uppercut, Bajor hits Aukstoulis with a right during a striking exchange as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Bajor
Round Two: The round begins with the fighters quickly getting into some striking exchanges, Bajor tries keeping Aukstoulis at a distance by using his jab. Aukstoulis attacks Bajor with leg kicks before eating a striking combination, Bajor scores the takedown on Aukstoulis and he gets the open guard. Bajor quickly transitions to the side control position on Aukstoulis, Aukstoulis scrambles to his feet and Bajor drags him bac to the ground. Bajor quickly gains back control on Aukstoulis, Bajor starts attacking Aukstoulis with some ground and pound before advancing to full mount. Bajor goes right back to attacking Aukstoulis with a ton of strikes, Bajor regains back control on Aukstoulis as he continues to land strikes. Bajor returns to the full mount on Aukstoulis while landing a bunch more strikes, Bajor returns to back control on Aukstoulis while looking for a rear naked choke. Aukstoulis escapes to get to his feet just as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-8 for Bajor (Final Score: 20-17 for Bajor)
Official Result: Syzmon Bajor def. Teodoras Aukstoulis by decision
Joao Almeida vs. Amir Aliakbari (2016 Openweight Grand Prix Opening Round Fight)
Round One: The round begins with Almeida attacking Aliakbari with a two punch combination, Aliakbari scores a takedown on Almeida and he gets the half guard. Aliakbari transitions to the side control position on Almeida, Aliakbari locks Almeida in the crucifix position while landing a bunch of strikes. Aliakbari continues nailing Almeida with a plethora of unanswered strikes and the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Amir Aliakbari def. Joao Almeida by TKO via strikes
Karl Albrektsson vs. Valentin Moldavsky (2016 Openweight Grand Prix Opening Round Fight)
Round One: The round begins with Albrektsson attacking Moldavsky wiith some jabs, Moldavsky responds by catching Albrektsson with a combination of his own. Moldavsky holds Albrektsson in the corner of the ring while landing a few knee strikes, Albrektsson starts catching his foe with some knee strikes of his own. The referee decides to separate the fighters for inactivity, the action resumes with Moldavsky nailing Albrektsson with a leg kick. Albrektsson then cracks an incoming Moldavsky with a counter left hook, Moldavksy clinches with Albrektsson and he eats a knee strike for his efforts. Moldavsky scores a takedown and Albrektsson pops right back up to his feet, Moldavsky holds Albrektsson against the ropes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Moldavsky
Round Two: The round begins with Albrektsson cracking Moldavsky with a multiple strike combination, the fighters clinch up and exchange some knee strikes. Moldavsky holds Albrektsson against the ropes while hunting for the takedown, Moldavkssy backs up before cracking Albrektsson with a left hook. The fighters clinch again before Albrektsson nails Moldavsky with a left hook and knee strike, Moldavsky drops Albrektsson with a punch and he quickly gets top position on him. Moldavsky transitions to back control as Albrektsson tries to stand up, Albrektsson gets back to his feet and Moldavsky drags him back to the ground. Albrektsson gets back to his feet again and Moldavsky drags him back to the ground again, Albrektsson briefly goes for the kimura while on his back. Albrektsson also attempts a guillotine choke on Moldavsky as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Moldavsky (Final Score: 20-18 for Moldavsky)
Official Result: Valentin Moldavksy def. Karl Albrektsson by decision
Jiri Prochazka vs. Mark Tanios (2016 Openweight Grand Prix Opening Round Fight)
Round One: The round begins with Prochazka attacking Tanios with some leg kicks, Prochazka eats a leg kick before attacking Tanios with a high kick. Tanios starts attacking Prochazka with a bunch of leg kicks, Tanios starts peppering Prochazka with a few jabs as well. Prochazka charges at Tanios while throwing a combination, Prochazka accidentally pokes Tanios in the eye and the fight is halted. The fight resumes with Tanios attacking Prochazka with more leg kicks, Prochazka charges at Tanios while landing a punching combination. Prochazka nails Tanios with a left hook as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Tanios
Round Two: The round begins with Prochazka attacking Tanios with a three punch combination, Tanios starts attacking Prochazka with leg kicks. Prochazka rocks Tanios with a flying knee strike followed by a head kick attempt, Tanios then hits a swinging Prochazka with a counter punch combination. Prochazka comes forward while attacking Tanios with a few punches and a head kick attempt, Prochazka then hits Tanios with a knee strike followed by a right hook. Prochazka scores a takedown on Tanios and he gets the open guard, Prochazka starts nailing Tanios with some ground and pound upon gaining side control. Tanios uses a triangle choke attempt to get the fight back to the feet, Prochazka cracks Tanios with a right to the midsection. Tanios attacks Prochazka with a high kick as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Prochazka (Final Score: 19-19 Draw)
Official Result: Jiri Prochazka def. Mark Tanios by decision
Kizaemon Saiga vs. Erson Yamamoto
Round One: The round begins with Yamamoto charging at Saiga while throwing punches, Saiga starts attacking Yamamoto with a few kicks. Saiga then hits a swinging Yamamoto with a high kick, Yamamoto again charges at Saiga while throwing strikes. Saiga starts nailing Yamamoto with some leg kicks as well, Yamamoto scores a takedown and Saiga gets right back up to his feet. Yamamoto scores a second takedown on Saiga and he gets the open guard, Yamamoto transitions to back control as Saiga gets too one knee. Yamamoto starts attacking the thighs of Saiga with some knee strikes, the referee separates the fighters for inactivity. The action resumes with Yamamoto nailing Saiga with a spinning back kick to the midsection, Saiga then kicks Yamamoto in the midsection. Yamamoto looks for a takedown as Saiga catches him with a knee to the midsection, Yamamoto scores a takedown and Saiga assaults him with punches as he gets back to his feet. Saiga attacks Yamamoto with a plethora of punches when he makes it back to his feet, Yamamoto goes for a takedown and Saiga gets back control when it hits the ground. Yamamoto spins and he finds himself in top position, the referee stands up the fighters after they get tangled in the ropes. The action resumes with Yamamoto attempting a spinning back kick on Saiga, Yamamoto scores a takedown on Saiga and he gets full mount. Saiga scrambles to his feet and Yamamoto drags him back to the ground, Yamamoto again attacks the thighs of Saiga with knee strikes. The fighters get tangled in the ropes again and the referee stands them up, the action resumes with Yamamoto scoring another takedown on Saiga. Saiga gets in the ropes again and the referee stands up the fighters and he gives Saiga a yellow card, the action resumes with Saiga stalking Yamamoto while throwing an occasional strike. Saiga starts attacking Yamamoto with a variety of kicks and he lands a left as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-8 (based on the yellow card) for Yamamoto
Round Two: The round begins with the fighters exchanging some leg kicks, Saiga then hits Yamamoto with a kick to the midsection. Yamamoto charges at Saiga and the two have a wild striking exchange, Saiga drops Yamamoto with a flying knee strike. Saiga then pounces on a downed Yamamoto until he gets tangled in the ropes, the referee then stands up the fighters. The action resumes with Yamamoto nailing Saiga with a two punch combination, Saiga responds by landing a right hook on Yamamoto. Yamamoto eats a few kicks before cracking Saiga with a straight right, Saiga accidentally kicks Yamamoto low and the fight is halted. The fight resumes with Saiga nailing Yamamoto with leg kicks, Yamamoto scores a takedown on Saiga and he gets the open guard. Yamamoto starts attacking Saiga with some ground and pound, Saiga attempts a one armed guillotine choke on Yamamoto. Yamamoto escapes and lands a few strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Yamamoto (Final Score: 20-17 for Yamamoto)
Official Result: Erson Yamamoto def. Kizaemon Saiga by decision
Andy Souwer vs. Daron Cruickshank
Round One: The round begins with Cruickshank nailing Souwer with a two strike combination, Cruickshank scores a takedown on Souwer and he gets the half guard. Cruickshank uses a kimura attempt to gain the side control position on Souwer, Cruickshank starts nailing Souwer with some ground and pound. Cruickshank transitions to the full mount on Souwer, Cruickshank starts attacking Souwer with a lot of ground and pound. Cruickshank transitions to back control and he locks in the rear naked choke on Souwer to force a tap out.
Official Result: Daron Cruickshank def. Andy Souwer by submission via rear naked choke
Baruto vs. Kazuyuki Fujita (2016 Openweight Grand Prix Opening Round Fight)
Round One: The round begins with Baruto nailing Fujita with some jabs, Baruto grabs Fujita to attack him with a knee strike. Baruto holds Fujita in the corner while landing the occasional strike, the referee separates the fighters for inactivity. The action resumes with Baruto nailing Fujita with a straight right, Baruto forces Fujita into the corner while landing a few strikes. Baruto breaks away from Fujita after landing a right, Baruto then cracks Fujita with a two punch combination. Fujita comes forward and he nails Baruto with a right as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Baruto
Round Two: The round begins with Baruto cracking Fujita with a knee strike, Fujita responds by popping Baruto with a pair of rights. Fujita then hits a swinging Baruto with a counter right, Baruto grabs a hold of Fujita to assault him with knee strikes. Fujita comes forward on Baruto and he lands the occasional right, Baruto lands a few rights on Fujita before eating a left hook. The referee decides to separate the fighters for inactivity, the action resumes with Baruto nailing Fujita with more knee strikes. Baruto hits Fujita with a two punch combo as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-8 for Baruto (Final Score: 20-18 for Baruto)
Official Result: Baruto def. Kazuyuki Fujita by decision
Mirko Cro Cop vs. Hyun Man Myung (2016 Openweight Grand Prix Opening Round Fight)
Round One: The round begins with Myung charging at Cro Cop and hoolding him against the ropes, Cro Cop sins Myung and attacks him with knee strikes. Cro Cop scores a takedown on Myung and he gets the half guard, Cro Cop quickly gains the full mount on Myung. Cro Cop starts attacking Myung with some ground and pound, Cro Cop catches Myung in the arm triangle choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Mirko Cro Cop def. Hyun Man Myung by submission via arm triangle choke
Miyuu Yamamoto vs. Rena
Round One: The round begins with Yamamoto attacking Rena with a leg kick, Rena starts popping Yamamoto with some jabs. Yamamoto scores a takedown on Rena and she gets the full guard, Yamamoto starts attacking Rena with some ground and pound. Yamamoto postures up and Rena backs her up with an up kick, Yamamoto scores another takedown on Rena and she gets the open guard. Yamamoto postures up and Rena rocks her with an up kick, Rena attacks her with some strikes upon getting up. Yamamoto goes right back to hunting for the takedown, Rena catches Yamamoto in a front choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Rena def. Miyuu Yamamoto by submission via front choke
Kron Gracie vs. Hideo Tokoro
Round One: The round begins with Tokoro rushing Grace while throwing strikes, the fighters clinch and battle for position along the ropes. The fighters break away from each other and Gracie eventually scores the takedown on Tokoro, Gracie tries to weaken Tokoro with some short range strikes. Tokoro scrambles to get top position and Gracie rolls for the arm bar, Tokoro escapes the arm bar attempt to maintain top position. Gracie tries attacking Tokoro with strikes while on his back. Tokoro postures up momentarily to hit Gracie with a soccer kick, Gracie trips up a standing Tokoro and he regains top position. Gracie quickly transitions to back control on Tokoro, Tokoro spins at the right time to get back on top of Gracie. Gracie trips up Tokoro after avoiding a stomp to get the fight back to the ground, Gracie transitions to the full mount and then back control on Tokoro. Gracie locks in the rear naked choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Kron Gracie def. Hideo Tokoro by submission via rear naked choke
