Super RIZIN 5 takes place at 03:00 AM ET on Thursday. I will add some descriptions later today – Just need to head to university to do some work.
RAZHABALI SHAYDULLAEV (18-0) vs. AJ MCKEE JR. (25-2) – Featherweight
This is an excellent fight between two of the best featherweights in the world. AJ McKee has proven himself over many times to be the real deal. McKee is very well rounded but we saw some offensive wrestling out of him in his last outing. He is very technically sound with a solid boxing base. Shaydullaev is a maurauder, man. He has never seen a 3rd round in all 18 of his pro fights and this includes solid wins over some of RIZIN’s best guys. He is certainly less technical than McKee but he swings with heat and will have better wrestling. This fight comes down to Shaydullaev’s gas tank more than anything. I would be very impressed if Shaydullaev can finish McKee. I think we see Shaydullaev go to the 3rd round for the first time in his career and win a decision based on wrestling and ground and pound.
Prediction: Razhabali Shaydullaev by decision. Medium confidence.
MIKURU ASAKURA (19-6) vs. SHINYA AOKI (49-12) – Lightweight
Shinya Aoki will win by submission in the first round or he will get knocked out trying. Shinya is a japanese MMA legend at this point but he is 43 years old and his age is starting to show. His cardio has certainly gotten worse and he is much slower than he used to be. His offensive wrestling is still pretty solid so there is a chance we will see him get an opportunity to look for submissions. The concern is that if Aoki doesn’t get the grappling going he will be at a big disadvantage. Asakura is a legit striker and is one of the biggest stars in RIZIN. I think he finishes Aoki after Aoki slows down.
Prediction: Mikuru Asakura by KO/TKO in round 1 or 2. Medium confidence.
REN HIRAMOTO (4-3) vs. KARSHYGA DAUTBEK (4-3) – Featherweight
I am very excited for this fight as I am a big Ren Hiramoto enjoyer. I truly believe that Ren is one of the best strikers in all of MMA. The problem with Ren is that he simply does not throw enough volume. His technique is flawless and when he lands he lands hard, but he rarely lets his hands go. Dautbek is a striker hismelf so Ren will have the opportunity to get his strikes off. The problem is that Dautbek can wrestle too so he will be able to control where the fight takes place. I really want Ren to win though.
Prediction: Karshyga Dautbek by decision. Low confidence.
ROBERTO DE SOUZA (20-4) vs. SHUNTA NOMURA (10-2) – Lightweight
This fight comes down to whether or not de Souza can get the fight down to the ground. I think he can. Also this is a massive step up in competition for Nomura and it is a step down for de Souza as de Souza was a championship fighter for RIZIN for a long time before his last loss.
Prediction: Roberto de Souza by submission in round 1. Low confidence.
YUTAKA SAITO (21-9-2) vs. REN SUGUYAMA (2-2) – Featherweight
Saito is getting old now. He is a wrestler and the great YA-MAN is a striker. YA-MAN is a legend and I could also argue that he is also one of the better strikers to fight in MMA. He should be able to keep this on the feet as Saito is more of a cage pusher than anything.
Prediction: Ren Sugiyama by KO/TKO in round 1. Medium confidence.
VUGAR KARAMOV (21-7) vs. RYO TAKAGI (11-3) – Featherweight
Low confidence pick here but Karamov is getting old and isn’t eating strikes the same. Comes down to Takagi’s take down defense.
Prediction: Ryo Takagi by decision. Low confidence.
RENA KUBOTA (15-6) vs. NATASHA KUZIUTINA (10-1) – Women’s Super Atomweight
Kuziutina should take Kubota down within seconds of the fight starting before getting a submission.
Prediction: Natasha Kuziutina by submission in round 1. High confidence.
