Rizin FF Ladies’s Tremendous Atomweight Champion Seika Izawa remained undefeated with a clear-cut Unanimous Determination victory in non-title motion tonight at Rizin Preventing Federation 48 in Saitama, Japan. Izawa defeated former Rizin grand prix winner Kanna Asakura, who retired after the battle.
Izawa continually labored for a end all through the three-round bout, and he or she threatened with quite a few submission makes an attempt, however Asakura escaped every time and he or she even rallied with stomps late within the battle. Each girls mirrored on the entertaining matchup when discussing it backstage.
Izawa (14-0-0) shortly took Asakura (20-8-0) down into aspect management within the opening spherical, however Asakura kicked her off and rose to her toes. Izawa landed fast punches and secured one other takedown, and he or she punched from Asakura’s guard till the fighters have been introduced again to their toes. Late within the opening body, Izawa trapped Asakura in a mounted guillotine choke, however she was unable to get a end.
Within the second spherical, Izawa pressured Asakura right into a seated place in opposition to a nook put up and he or she blasted her within the face with punches as Asakura tried to get again to her toes. Izawa then tried to transition to a North-South choke, however the ropes prevented her from laying flat and so she transformed to a novel reverse guillotine choke as an alternative. Asakura defended nicely, however Izawa took her again and he or she held Asakura in a face crank till the bell.
Asakura took prime place in Izawa’s guard early within the last spherical after escaping from one other guillotine choke. Izawa responded with highly effective upkicks from the underside after which tried an armbar. Asakura stood up and compelled Izawa to observe, however Izawa instantly took her down once more. Asakura scrambled and he or she stomped on Izawa’s face simply earlier than the top of the battle.
All three judges rightfully scored the battle in favour of Izawa, however Asakura placed on a gritty efficiency in defeat. Together with her household sitting at ringside, Asakura obtained a retirement ceremony and a customary ten-bell salute after the choice was learn.
Seika Izawa (left) and Kanna Asakura (proper) backstage following Rizin FF 48.
“She was sturdy and has a variety of resolve,” Izawa said backstage. “I anticipated her to have takedowns, however her strongest asset is her coronary heart. I attempted to do what I had skilled, however I used an excessive amount of energy and I couldn’t get a end. I remorse that. I landed jabs and excessive kicks, however I grew to become too targeted on these strikes and couldn’t execute. I would like to higher combine strikes with grappling, and likewise to care extra about my positioning. The ring ropes prevented me from getting a end with the North-South choke.”
“I’m relieved now,” the newly-retired Asakura mentioned backstage. “I attempted my greatest to win and so I need to say that she is powerful. I felt ache within the North-South choke, however I survived. I look again on many issues in my profession. I did very nicely. Martial arts grew to become my day by day life. I don’t have any regrets about my combating life. I can’t think about life with out coaching, however I wish to do cosmetics. Hiroshi Tsuruya mentioned that I confirmed a variety of coronary heart within the final spherical. I really feel the assist from folks. I bear in mind my [first] battle in opposition to Rena [Kubota] as my most memorable second. Thanks for supporting.”
