For two decades, combat sports fans have rung in the new year with Japanese promotions bringing the pomp, pageantry and some of the world’s top fighters. Following in the footsteps of such kakutougi giants as Pride Fighting Championships, K-1 and Inoki Genome Federation, Rizin Fighting Federation carries the banner of JMMA proudly into 2025.
On Tuesday, Rizin 49 “Decade” marks the latest iteration of one of MMA's dearest traditions. While this year’s version will lack the cross-Pacific talent exchange with Bellator MMA that fans had come to enjoy over the last several years, Rizin pulled out all the stops, stacking the card with three title fights, as well as the world’s top atomweight, Rizin and Jewels champ Seika Izawa, in a non-title feature.