Rizin Fighting Federation

Rizin Fighting Federation
Company typePrivate
IndustryMixed martial arts promotion
Founded2015 (2015)
FounderNobuyuki Sakakibara
Headquarters,
Key people
Nobuyuki Sakakibara
Nobuhiko Takada
ParentDream Factory Worldwide
Websiterizin.tv

Rizin Fighting Federation (stylised in all caps and also known as Rizin FF) is a Japanese mixed martial arts organization created in 2015 by the former Pride Fighting Championships and Dream Stage Entertainment president Nobuyuki Sakakibara.[1][2]

Founded to be the spiritual successor of Pride FC and Dream, Rizin carries much of the philosophy and ambition of its two predecessors: its events are promoted as larger-than-life events with elaborate opening ceremonies and fighter entrances, its matches are fought in a roped ring and it has a ruleset inherited from Pride and Dream. The organization also promotes "Grand Prix", single-elimination tournaments where fighters have to fight multiple opponents in the same night.[3][4] Rizin is considered Japan's top MMA promotion.[5]

Rizin has also promoted kickboxing matches, with two "Grand Prix" tournaments in 2017[6] and 2021.[7]

The promotion's name is a combination of "Raijin", the Japanese god of lightning; the word "rising", meaning "to prosper and thrive"; and the letter, 'Z', meaning "ultimate".[8]

  1. ^ "Nobuyuki Sakakibara discusses Rizin FF plans for 2016, Fedor Emelianenko's opponent, drug testing and more". MMA Fighting. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-25.
  2. ^ "Former Pride FC boss: Fedor's opponent will mean something for future of MMA". Bloody Elbow. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-25.
  3. ^ "'New PRIDE' to be called Rizin Fighting Federation » MixedMartialArts.com". Mma Underground. 2015-10-08. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  4. ^ Rondina, Steven. "Pride Never Die: Rizin FF Instantly Becomes Compelling UFC Alternative". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  5. ^ Zivanovic, Tomislav (2020-11-11). "Best MMA Promotions Outside the UFC (Top 7)". Martial Arts Unleashed. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
  6. ^ "RIZIN Fighting World Grand Prix 2017: Final Round | MMA & Kickboxing Event". Tapology. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  7. ^ Bowker, Dylan (2021-05-03). "Rizin 29 Kickboxing Tournament: all participants announced". MyMMANews. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  8. ^ "Concept". rizinff.com. Retrieved 2020-10-06.

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