RIZIN 26

RIZIN 26 live from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The bill is topped by a highly anticipated rematch between current Rizin bantamweight kingpin Kai Asakura and former titleholder Kyoji Horiguchi. The two first met in a non-title affair when Horiguchi held both the Rizin and Bellator gold. Asakura finished the former UFC flyweight in just over a minute. The rivals were set to fight again at the New Year’s Eve show last year, but a leg injury forced Horiguchi to the sidelines and set the table for a title bout between Asakura and Manel Kape. Kape left with the strap, but it eventually found its way back to Asakura. Now, Horiguchi hopes to not only avenge his prior loss, but regain the belt he was forced to vacate.

Directed by Nobuyuki Sakakibara, RIZIN 26 leans on a strong ensemble — Kyoji Horiguchi, Kai Asakura, Satoshi Yamasu — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about action titles of 2020.