Combat Japan

Combat Japan

Combat Japan is an English-language show covering the world of Japanese combat sports. Hosted by Andres Vergara, the show covers MMA, kickboxing, Grand Sumo, boxing, grappling and more through event previews, recaps, reactions, interviews and analysis. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CombatJapan

  1. 2h ago

    RIZIN 55 Recap with Ben Rogers | Wild Finishes & Full Card Reaction

    Ezekiel chokes, last-second slams, heavyweight chaos—and a flyweight title fight that gave us plenty to talk about. Ben Rogers joins me to break down all 13 main-card fights from RIZIN 55, starting with Makoto Shinryu vs. Tony Laramie and working our way through the card. We discuss Naoki Inoue vs. Yrysbek Tilenov, Kashimura’s striking and submission game, Papalii’s controversial rope grab, and the weight-miss situation surrounding Meheula vs. Aimoto. We also revisit my preview picks, choose our standouts, and get Ben’s thoughts after watching his first full RIZIN event. What was your fight of the night? Let us know in the comments. CHAPTERS0:00 Intro & Guest Ben Rogers0:27 Makoto Shinryu (神龍誠) vs. Tony Laramie (トニー・ララミー)11:18 Naoki Inoue (井上直樹) vs. Yrysbek Tilenov (イリスベク・ティレノフ)16:47 Ryuya Fukuda (福田龍彌) vs. Kim Soo-chul (キム・スーチョル)20:28 Jinnosuke Kashimura (鹿志村仁之介) vs. Shinobu Ota (太田忍)25:24 Abijah Kaleo Meheula (アバイジャ・カレオ・メヘウラ) vs. Kazuki Aimoto (相本宗輝)28:05 Missing Weight, RIZIN’s Rules & Tapology32:02 Back to Meheula vs. Aimoto: Leg Locks Under Fire35:06 Juntaro Ushiku (牛久絢太郎) vs. Li Kaiwen (リー・カイウェン)38:43 Kim Kyung-pyo (キム・ギョンピョ) vs. Nurkhan Zhumagazy (ヌルハン・ズマガジー)41:12 Mac Papalii (マック・パパリイ) vs. Yukinori Akazawa (赤沢幸典)46:17 Hiroaki Suzuki (鈴木博昭) vs. Chiharu (千春)49:21 Taichi Nakajima (中島太一) vs. Tsukasa Mizoguchi (溝口司)52:11 Tatsuya “Yanbo” Saika (雑賀“ヤン坊”達也) vs. Daigo Kuramoto (倉本大悟)53:14 Takumi Hamada (濱田巧) vs. Sho Sekihara (関原翔)56:32 Rikiya (力也) vs. Ryu Kimura (木村琉音)1:00:01 How Did My Preview Picks Do?1:01:00 Our Standouts & Night Awards1:02:59 Ben’s First RIZIN Event: Presentation & Rules1:04:49 Grounded Knees & the Oblique Kick Debate1:07:22 Closing & Jacob’s Grappling Shoutout Subscribe to Combat Japan for RIZIN, K-1, RISE, sumo, and more Japanese combat sports coverage. Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

  2. 4d ago

    RIZIN 55 Preview & Predictions | Shinryu vs. Laramie + All 13 Main-Card Fights

    Welcome to Combat Japan. RIZIN 55 is stacked. I’m breaking down all 13 main-card matchups.Makoto Shinryu defends his flyweight championship against Tony Laramie, Naoki Inoue faces Yrysbek Tilenov, and Tatsuya Fukuda takes on Kim Soo-chul. I also cover Kashimura vs. Ota, Kazuki Aimoto’s RIZIN debut against Abijah Kaleo Meheula, and heavyweight action with Mac Papalii vs. Yukinori Akazawa.Which fight are you most excited about, and where do you disagree with my picks?RIZIN 55 takes place Sunday, November 8, 2026, at LaLa arena TOKYO-BAY in Chiba, Japan. This preview covers the 13 main-card fights, excluding the three opening bouts.Combat Japan is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Look out for a reaction episode with returning guest and amateur MMA fighter Benjamin Rogers after the event!Subscribe for Japanese MMA, kickboxing, sumo and boxing coverage.0:00 Intro, Podcast Announcement & Card Overview1:37 Rikiya (力也) vs. Ryu Kimura (木村琉音)2:51 Takumi Hamada (濱田巧) vs. Sho Sekihara (関原翔)4:29 Tatsuya “Yanbo” Saika (雑賀“ヤン坊”達也) vs. Daigo Kuramoto (倉本大悟)6:59 Taichi Nakajima (中島太一) vs. Tsukasa Mizoguchi (溝口司)9:10 Hiroaki Suzuki (鈴木博昭) vs. Chiharu (千春)11:03 Mac Papalii (マック・パパリイ) vs. Yukinori Akazawa (赤沢幸典)13:05 Kim Kyung-pyo (キム・ギョンピョ) vs. Nurkhan Zhumagazy (ヌルハン・ズマガジー)15:11 Juntaro Ushiku (牛久絢太郎) vs. Li Kaiwen (リー・カイウェン)17:22 Abijah Kaleo Meheula (アバイジャ・カレオ・メヘウラ) vs. Kazuki Aimoto (相本宗輝)21:38 Jinnosuke Kashimura (鹿志村仁之介) vs. Shinobu Ota (太田忍)24:05 Tatsuya Fukuda (福田龍彌) vs. Kim Soo-chul (キム・スーチョル)25:40 Naoki Inoue (井上直樹) vs. Yrysbek Tilenov (イリスベク・ティレノフ)29:17 Makoto Shinryu (神龍誠) vs. Tony Laramie (トニー・ララミー) — Flyweight Title34:56 Most Anticipated Fights & Reaction Episode Plans

  3. Oct 28

    Kouzi Gets a K-1 Title Shot, Hoshoryu Update & Inoue–Bam Talks

    Kouzi is coming back to K-1—and going straight into a title fight. Does the name value justify the opportunity?This Combat Japan news roundup covers the November sumo banzuke, Hoshoryu’s recovery and potential Kyushu return, Kouzi’s title challenge against Samuel Nagasawa, and the possibility of Naoya Inoue facing Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez.I also look ahead to RIZIN.55, RISE 203 and the November basho, plus K-1 REVENGE II—which I’ll be attending in person at Korakuen Hall!Matchups discussed:• Kouzi (皇治) vs. Samuel Nagasawa (永澤サムエル聖光)• Naoya Inoue (井上尚弥) vs. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez — under negotiation, not officially confirmed• Makoto Shinryu (神龍誠) vs. Tony Laramie (トニー・ララミー)Does Kouzi deserve an immediate title shot? And which November event are you most looking forward to?Subscribe for Japanese MMA, kickboxing, sumo and boxing coverage.0:00 Intro0:20 November Banzuke: Rankings & Sumo Storylines2:49 Makuuchi Debuts & Tamawashi’s Return3:52 Hoshoryu’s Recovery & Potential Kyushu Return5:42 Kouzi vs. Samuel Nagasawa: Is the Title Shot Deserved?7:01 Naoya Inoue vs. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez Talks8:19 Bringing More Boxing to Combat Japan9:35 RIZIN.55: Makoto Shinryu vs. Tony Laramie9:50 RISE 203 & Kyushu Basho10:16 Attending K-1 REVENGE II in Tokyo10:55 Wrap-Up.

  4. Oct 18

    RISE 202 Full Card Recap: I Went 6–0 on My Picks

    RISE 202 is in the books from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, and I’m breaking down the entire card fight by fight.Akito Nakashima captured the vacant RISE featherweight championship with a dominant first-round finish over Ryunosuke Omori, while Tessa De Kom successfully defended the RISE QUEEN flyweight title against YAYA Weerasakreck.I also give out the Combat Japan Fight of the Night and check the prediction scorecard from my RISE 202 preview. And somehow…I went 6–0. Every single pick was right.Let me know what you thought of RISE 202 and which fight stood out to you.00:00 RISE 202 Recap00:23 Ryunosuke Omori (大森隆之介) vs. Akito Nakashima (中嶋愛樹斗)02:18 Tessa De Kom (テッサ・デ・コム) vs. YAYA Weerasakreck (YAYAウィラサクレック)04:14 Kakushi Takagi (髙木覚清) vs. Hirokatsu Miyagi (宮城寛克)06:18 Ruka (琉樺) vs. Seiya (惺也)08:16 Musashi Matsushita (松下武蔵) vs. Tomoya Fukui (福井萌矢)10:51 SEIDO vs. Yusuke Iwaki (岩城悠介)12:38 Shuri Sakayori (酒寄珠璃) vs. Shion Masaki (正木翔夢)13:25 Kinchan (金ちゃん) vs. Tesshin Terasaka (寺坂哲伸)14:43 Kairi Yatagai (谷田貝海吏) vs. Bunta Kono (河野文太)15:07 Oki (王希) vs. Ayato (天翔人)15:36 Taisei Kako (加古大晴) vs. Sosuke Kakamu (各務壮祐)16:07 RISE 202 Final Thoughts17:23 🏆 Combat Japan Fight of the Night18:06 Prediction Scorecard — 6–0!

  5. Oct 13

    RISE 202 Preview & Predictions

    Welcome to Combat Japan. RISE 202 goes down October 17, 2026 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, featuring two championship fights at the top of the card.In this video, I preview and make predictions for the top six fights from RISE 202, including the vacant featherweight title fight between Ryunosuke Omori and Akito Nakashima, plus RISE QUEEN flyweight champion Tessa de Kom defending against YAYA Weerasakreck.RISE 202 airs on ABEMA in Japan. Let me know your picks for the card in the comments.00:00 Intro00:59 RISE 202 Predictions Begin01:08 SEIDO vs. Yusuke Iwaki (岩城悠介)03:51 Musashi Matsushita (松下武蔵) vs. Tomoya Fukui (福井萌矢)06:01 Ruka (琉樺) vs. Seiya (惺也)08:16 Kakushi Takagi (髙木覚清) vs. Hirokatsu Miyagi (宮城寛克)10:56 Tessa de Kom (テッサ・デ・コム) vs. YAYA Weerasakreck (YAYAウィラサクレック)13:16 Ryunosuke Omori (大森隆之介) vs. Akito Nakashima (中嶋愛樹斗)17:25 Final Thoughts

  6. Oct 4

    RIZIN Landmark 16 Full Card Recap: My Worst Picks Yet

    RIZIN LANDMARK 16 in Nagasaki is in the books, and I’m breaking down and reacting to the full card — including the main event, some surprising upsets, a controversial stoppage, and several performances that did not go the way I expected.In this recap, I break down every fight from the RIZIN.tv portion of the card, including Yoshinori Horie vs. Sho Patrick Usami, Viktor Kolesnik vs. Koyomi Matsushima, Ryan Cafaro vs. Hyuma Yasui, Ryusei Ashizawa vs. Seiya Inoue and more.I’m also introducing two new recurring features for Combat Japan reaction videos:🏆 Combat Japan Fight of the Night 📋 The Combat Japan Prediction Scorecard — where I hold myself accountable to my preview picks.Let me know what you thought of LANDMARK 16 and which fighters impressed you most.Subscribe to Combat Japan for English-language coverage of RIZIN, Japanese MMA, kickboxing, sumo and more.00:00 RIZIN Landmark 16 Recap00:28 Yoshinori Horie (堀江圭功) vs. Sho Patrick Usami (宇佐美正パトリック)03:59 Viktor Kolesnik (ビクター・コレスニック) vs. Koyomi Matsushima (松嶋こよみ)07:42 Ryan Cafaro (ライアン・カファロ) vs. Hyuma Yasui (安井飛馬)10:32 Kate Lotus (ケイト・ロータス) vs. NOEL13:38 RIZIN.55: Naoki Inoue (井上直樹) vs. Yrysbek Tilenov (イリスベク・ティレノフ)14:03 RIZIN.55: Makoto Shinryu (神龍誠) vs. Tony Laramie (トニー・ララミー)14:12 Hinotori (火の鳥) vs. Masatoshi Ueda (上田将年)15:19 Ryusei Ashizawa (芦澤竜誠) vs. Seiya Inoue (井上聖矢)16:26 Hidetaka “Kaiju Killer” Arato (荒東“怪獣キラー”英貴) vs. Ken Hasegawa (長谷川賢)18:37 Alan “Hiro” Yamaniha (アラン“ヒロ”ヤマニハ) vs. Seigo Yamamoto (山本聖悟)20:37 Kohei Sugiyama (杉山廣平) vs. Kaito Oda (小田魁斗)22:34 Mac Papalii (マック・パパリイ) vs. Yukinori Akazawa (赤沢幸典) — Fight Cancelled22:52 🏆 Combat Japan Fight of the Night23:41 Prediction Scorecard25:12 Final Thoughts

  7. Sep 30

    RIZIN Landmark 16 Card Preview & Predictions

    RIZIN Landmark 16 heads to Nagasaki, Japan, and I'm breaking down the entire main card with predictions for every fight.00:00 RIZIN Landmark 16 Preview00:40 Kohei Sugiyama (杉山廣平) vs. Kaito Oda (小田魁斗)02:22 Alan “Hiro” Yamaniha (アラン“ヒロ”ヤマニハ) vs. Seigo Yamamoto (山本聖悟)03:54 Hidetaka “Kaiju Killer” Arato (荒東“怪獣キラー”英貴) vs. Ken Hasegawa (長谷川賢)07:44 Ryusei Ashizawa (芦澤竜誠) vs. Seiya Inoue (井上聖矢)10:18 Hinotori (火の鳥) vs. Masatoshi Ueda (上田将年)12:25 Mac Papalii (マック・パパリイ) vs. Yukinori Akazawa (赤沢幸典)14:31 Kate Lotus (ケイト・ロータス) vs. NOEL17:59 Ryan Cafaro (ライアン・カファロ) vs. Hyuma Yasui (安井飛馬)20:15 Viktor Kolesnik (ビクター・コレスニック) vs. Koyomi Matsushima (松嶋こよみ)23:09 Yoshinori Horie (堀江圭功) vs. Sho Patrick Usami (宇佐美正パトリック)26:05 Final Thoughts on RIZIN Landmark 16Plus, I give my thoughts on the criticism surrounding the RIZIN Landmark 16 card and whether the event might be better than people are giving it credit for.Who are you picking at RIZIN Landmark 16?Subscribe to Combat Japan for English-language coverage of RIZIN, Japanese MMA, kickboxing, sumo and more.

  8. Sep 27

    Aki Basho 2026: It All Came Down to Day 15

    Onosato is back on top!Welcome to Combat Japan. The 2026 Aki Basho came down to the final match of Day 15, with Yokozuna Onosato and Ozeki Aonishiki entering the bout tied at 11–3. After looking like he might run away with the tournament, back-to-back losses from Onosato opened the door for a dramatic winner-take-all finish.In this Combat Japan recap, I break down the biggest stories from the September Grand Sumo Tournament, including:• Onosato's first yusho since Aki Basho 2025• Aonishiki's impressive 11–4 performance• Fujinokawa's breakout 11–4 tournament and emerging Ozeki bid• Successful Makuuchi debuts for Asasuiryu and Toshinofuji• Strong tournaments from Churanoumi, Asanoyama, Ura and Wakamotoharu• Disappointing results for Kirishima, Atamifuji and several Sanyaku wrestlers• Hoshoryu's absence and why I'm hoping to see him healthy in November• The fascinating Hoshoryu–Onosato–Aonishiki rivalry developing at the top of sumoAnd for the first time ever, I present the prestigious Combat Japan Wrestler of the Tournament award. 🏆This channel covers Japanese combat sports for an English-speaking audience, including Grand Sumo, RIZIN, K-1, RISE, grappling and more.Subscribe to Combat Japan for more Japanese combat sports coverage.00:00 Aki Basho Comes Down to Day 1503:40 Injuries & Pre-Tournament Storylines09:53 Makuuchi Debuts13:55 Biggest Winners of Aki Basho19:29 Aonishiki & Onosato22:21 Biggest Disappointments26:43 🏆 Combat Japan Wrestler of the Tournament29:49 Closing Thoughts & What’s Next

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About

Combat Japan is an English-language show covering the world of Japanese combat sports. Hosted by Andres Vergara, the show covers MMA, kickboxing, Grand Sumo, boxing, grappling and more through event previews, recaps, reactions, interviews and analysis. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CombatJapan

Information

  • Creator
    Combat Japan
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Combat Japan
  • Show Website
    Combat Japan