Predictions for RIZIN's Year-End Super Strongman Festival: First Half
This time, I will be predicting the outcomes of the first 8 matches of the
RIZIN Year-End Super Strongman Festival, held on December 31, 2025, at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama.
Ryusei Ashizawa vs. Jory
My prediction →Jory wins by decision
🔹 Characteristics and impressions of each fighter
・Ryusei Ashizawa, a former kickboxer
He excels at striking, and his match against Umeno was impressive.
His level in ground fighting is unknown, but he is an interesting fighter.
・Jory, whose background is in street fighting.
This is his first RIZIN appearance, but he is a fighter who gained experience in BreakingDown.
In BreakingDown, he competed in stand-up matches (I recall him doing MMA once?), but it seems he has been practicing MMA for a while.
I have the impression that he is quite strong in MMA as well.
💥 Predicted match flow
From the start, Jory will apply heavy pressure, while Ashizawa circles with side steps.
Gradually, Ashizawa's strikes start landing, Jory's strikes stop connecting, and he switches to takedowns.
From there, the time spent on the ground increases, and Ashizawa struggles to respond,
leading to a decision win for Jory.
Tatsuki Shinozuka vs. Daichi Tomizawa
My prediction →Daichi Tomizawa wins by decision
🔹 Characteristics and impressions of each fighter
・Tatsuki Shinozuka, whose background is in soccer, boxing, and kickboxing
He excels at striking, and his match against Umeno was impressive.
His level in ground fighting is unknown, but he is a charismatic and cool fighter.
・Daichi Tomizawa, whose background is in baseball and kickboxing.
He appeared in "Fighting Agent War 4th Season" (AbemaTV) as a member of "TEAM Takeru" led by Takeru, and after that, he went through Krush and BreakingDown before coming to RIZIN.
I like Tomizawa's mentality.
It seems he is learning the basics through Fighters Flow, and I have the impression that his handling of ground fighting has improved.
💥 Predicted match flow
Two years ago on New Year's Eve, these two fought under kickboxing rules,
and since Shinozuka beat Tomizawa up, I think Tomizawa will avoid fighting on the feet and use a strategy of taking it to the ground.
The beginning will be a feeling-out process of distance and trading jabs.
At the end of the 1st round, Tomizawa succeeds with a takedown, but there is little time left, and it goes to the 2nd round!
In the 2nd round, Tomizawa closes the distance and scores points with takedowns and strikes.
Shinozuka is desperate to respond and is gradually worn down.
Tomizawa dominates the 3rd round as well,
leading to a decision win for Daichi Tomizawa.
Tatsuya "Yanbo" Saiga vs. "Black Panther" Beynoah
My prediction →"Black Panther" Beynoahwins by decision
🔹 Characteristics and impressions of each fighter
・"Black Panther" Beynoah, whose background is in karate and judo
As a former RISE champion, he is a fighter who excels at striking.
Speaking of Beynoah, his match against Yusaku Inoue, where he was booed, is memorable, but he has since gained experience fighting overseas and has had a series of interesting matches, which is why he was selected for this big opportunity.
・Tatsuya "Yanbo" Saiga, whose background is in karate.
As the current Pancrase champion, I have an image of him having strong strikes.
He has appeared in 3 RIZIN matches and lost all of them, but he is a strong fighter when things click.
💥 Predicted match flow
It will be a striking battle from the start,
and they will trade strikes from around the middle.
Beynoah will gradually mix in tackles to bring the fight to the ground,
leading to a decision win for "Black Panther" Beynoah.
Joji Goto vs. Jose Torres
My prediction →Joji Gotowins by decision
🔹 Characteristics and impressions of each fighter
・Joji Goto, whose background is in karate and judo
He is an intellectual fighter, having graduated from Hokkaido University.
I have an image of him applying pressure and being tenacious in close-range striking.
・Jose Torres, whose background is in karate and wrestling.
He is a former UFC fighter and I have an image of him being physically strong.
He is a tough fighter who went to a close decision against Ougikubo.
💥 Predicted match flow
The beginning will be a feeling-out process of distance.
Gradually, Goto's strikes start landing, and although Jose Torres fights back with strikes mixed with tackles, Goto escapes with points,leading to a decision win for Joji Goto.
Kyoshin Akimoto vs. Suguru Nii
My prediction →Kyoshin Akimotowins by decision
🔹 Characteristics and impressions of each fighter
・Kyoshin Akimoto, whose background is in boxing and soccer
Despite having a fierce battle against Hagiwara in his last match on November 3rd,
Akimoto is participating with great spirit in less than two months.
He is a fighter who can handle both striking and ground fighting at a high level.
He is the future of RIZIN.
・Suguru Nii, whose background is in judo.
He is a fighter who excels at armlocks.
He is a former club security guard and often appears on TikTok.
It seems he used to donate his entire fight purse,
but now he is doing martial arts full-time.
💥 Predicted match flow
In the beginning, Akimoto applies pressure, but wary of tackles,
he cannot close the distance like in the Hagiwara match, and they both watch each other.
Nii goes for a takedown, leading to an exchange of ground fighting and striking.
Due to the point difference in striking,Kyoshin Akimotowins by decision.
Karshyga Dautbek vs. Yuta Kubo
My prediction →Karshyga Dautbekwins by decision
🔹 Characteristics and impressions of each fighter
・Karshyga Dautbek, whose background is in boxing
Dautbek is currently on a 10-match winning streak.
He is a fighter who has snatched victories after fierce battles against Chihiro Suzuki, YA-MAN, and others.
I have an image of his striking being quite strong. However, I also have the impression that there is no particular fear in his ground fighting.
・Yuta Kubo, whose background is in taekwondo and kickboxing.
He possesses one of the best striking senses in RIZIN.
He is a former GLORY champion.
Recently, he had been away from martial arts to run for election,
but he has returned for New Year's Eve.
I am worried about the blank period during the election and the damage from his previous match against Sheydulaev, but he had won 5 matches in a row before that, so there is no doubt he is strong.
💥 Predicted match flow
The match starts with striking.
Kubo lands strikes mixed with kicks, but they are not clean hits.
Conversely, Dautbek lands a few clean hits.
Even as it enters the final stages, the match progresses with Dautbek in the lead,leading to a decision win for Karshyga Dautbek.
Makoto Shinryu vs. Hiroya
My prediction →Makoto Shinryu wins by decision
🔹 Characteristics and impressions of both fighters
・Makoto Shinryu, whose background is in wrestling, Muay Thai, and jiu-jitsu
He has a strong impression in ground fighting. Until a while ago, he was a fighter who had a legitimate chance against Horiguchi, but he has had a series of close losses in matches against top fighters.
He lost to Motoya in the second round of the previous flyweight tournament, which led to his decision to go to ATT in America.It has only been a few days since he joined ATT, but I look forward to his evolution from here on.
・Hiroya, who has a strong impression of mental and physical toughness.
Hiroya also lost to Motoya in the first round of the previous flyweight tournament, but he put up a good fight, so it is clear that he has become stronger by going to America.He continues to train with Billy, so I don't think this will be the lopsided match that people are saying it will be.
💥 Match development prediction
Shinryu will take the fight to the ground from the start to show the difference in skill.
However, Hiroya will not be outdone and will respond.
The striking will also proceed with Shinryu having a slight advantage, and by a narrow margin,
Makoto Shinryu wins by decision.
Ryuya Fukuda vs. Tatsuya Ando
My prediction →Ryuya Fukuda wins by decision
🔹 Characteristics and impressions of both fighters
・Ryuya Fukuda, whose background is in Muay Thai
A fighter characterized by his precise striking.
He is also a hunter in his private life and lives a self-sufficient lifestyle, so that way of life shows in his fighting.
・Tatsuya Ando, whose background is in karate, basketball, and wrestling.This fighter also has a wild fighting style.
He is a complete wild child.
He puts on incredibly exciting matches and devours tough opponents.
He is often said to have an atmosphere and fighting style similar to KID-san.
However, he seems to hate being on time and appears to be completely socially maladjusted. lol
💥 Match development prediction
Predicting how this match will unfold is quite difficult,
and I think it depends on Tatsuya Ando's condition,
but I think this match will be a striking battle throughout all 3 rounds.
By a narrow margin,
Ryuya Fukuda wins by decision.
Final Summary
The last RIZIN of the year.
The year-end Super Strong Fighter Festival!!!!
We are now just before the New Year's Eve event.
Although one match was canceled, all 14 matches are great cards.
I wanted to see a few more matches, but I will put my heart into predicting the outcomes of the remaining 6 matches.
I should be able to upload it around tomorrow.
See you then.