Quick Definition
Rizin FF is a Japanese mixed martial arts promotion, founded in 2015 and commonly considered Japan’s top MMA organization. It runs its fights in a roped ring under a ruleset inherited from Pride FC, and is best known for spectacular New Year’s Eve shows and one-night Grand Prix tournaments.
What is Rizin FF?
Rizin Fighting Federation, usually shortened to Rizin FF or just Rizin, is a mixed martial arts promotion based in Tokyo. Nobuyuki Sakakibara, the former president of Pride FC, launched it in 2015 and built it as the spiritual successor to Pride and its later offshoot, Dream. Much of what made Pride distinctive carried over: big-event presentation, dramatic fighter entrances, and a ruleset that leans toward action.
The promotion is best known for two things. Its cards run in a roped boxing-style ring rather than a cage, and it leans on one-night Grand Prix tournaments, where a fighter can win two or three bouts in a single evening to claim a title. Rizin also holds a traditional New Year’s Eve show every December 31, a fixture of the Japanese combat-sports calendar.
MMA is the core of the product, but a Rizin card sometimes mixes in kickboxing, grappling, boxing, or bare-knuckle bouts. That blend, along with the sheer scale of its events, is why Rizin is commonly considered Japan’s top MMA promotion.
What the name Rizin means
Raijin is the Japanese god of lightning and thunder, and that reference sits at the front of the name. “Rising,” meaning to prosper and thrive, comes next. The Z stands for “ultimate.” Together, the coined word points to power and growth, matching the promotion’s grand presentation.
Rizin vs the UFC: key differences
Most people find Rizin after years of watching the UFC, so the natural question is how the two differ. They share the same sport, but the experience is not the same.
| Feature | Rizin FF | UFC |
|---|---|---|
| Fighting area | Roped ring | Enclosed cage |
| Ruleset roots | Inherited from Pride FC | Unified Rules of MMA |
| Grounded strikes | Soccer kicks, knees, and stomps allowed, with limits | Banned |
| Tournaments | One-night and bracketed Grand Prix | No tournament format |
| Women’s divisions | Down to atomweight (47 kg) | Start at strawweight (52 kg) |
| Scoring | Damage, aggressiveness, generalship | 10-point must system, round by round |
| Presentation | Elaborate entrances and spectacle | Standardized, sport-first |
| Base country | Japan | United States |
Two differences stand out. The ring changes how fights play out: fighters get tangled in the ropes instead of pressed against a fence, so the action keeps moving. Then there are the ground rules. Rizin’s Pride-style ruleset lets fighters throw soccer kicks and stomps at downed opponents, moves the UFC outlawed long ago. To a viewer, Rizin fights simply look wilder and harder to call than a typical UFC bout.
How Rizin events are structured
A Rizin year is built around its biggest night. Every December 31, the promotion runs a New Year’s Eve card, a tradition it inherited from Pride and the wider Japanese fight scene. These shows tend to carry the marquee matchups and the crossover attractions.
Titles are often decided through Grand Prix tournaments. Instead of a fighter earning a title shot over several months, a Grand Prix gathers a bracket of contenders who fight through multiple rounds, sometimes on the same night, until one is left standing. The format rewards durability as much as raw skill.
Standard MMA bouts run three rounds of five minutes, decided by knockout, submission, referee stoppage, or the judges’ scorecards. Rizin lists more than ten weight classes across men’s and women’s divisions, plus an openweight category with no limit, a nod to the old Pride days of size mismatches. Its events have streamed internationally through platforms such as FITE and the promotion’s own Rizin.tv service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rizin bigger than the UFC?
No. The UFC is the largest MMA promotion in the world. Rizin is smaller and Japan-focused, though it is generally seen as the top promotion within Japan and a major force in Asian MMA.
Does Rizin use a ring or a cage?
Mostly a ring. Rizin fights in a roped boxing-style ring, the format it took from Pride FC. It has run a handful of cage events, but the ring remains its signature.
Who owns Rizin?
Rizin was founded by Nobuyuki Sakakibara, the former president of Pride FC, and it operates under his Dream Factory company. He remains the central figure behind the promotion.
Has the UFC signed fighters from Rizin?
Yes. Several Rizin standouts have moved to the UFC, among them Kai Asakura and Kyoji Horiguchi, and Jiri Prochazka went on to win a UFC title. Rizin has long been seen as a proving ground for Asian talent.
Is Rizin still active?
Yes. Rizin continues to run regular cards in Japan, including its New Year’s Eve show. It held several events through 2026 and has more on the schedule.
Sources
- Wikipedia. “Rizin Fighting Federation.” Accessed August 2026.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizin_Fighting_Federation - Rizin Fighting Federation. “Rules.” Official site. Accessed August 2026.
https://jp.rizinff.com/rule - MMA Fighting. “BKFC partners with RIZIN on co-promoted events, talent exchange, expansion into Japan.” June 2024.
https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/6/5/24172443/bkfc-partners-with-rizin-on-co-promoted-events-talent-exchange-and-expansion-into-japan - Sherdog. Rizin Fighting Federation coverage. Accessed August 2026.
https://www.sherdog.com/organizations/Rizin-Fighting-Federation-10333 - The Fighter. “Musings on new RIZIN rules, the art of judging and JMOC.” June 2021.
https://the-fighter.net/f/musings-on-new-rizin-rules-the-art-of-judging-and-jmoc - Combat Press. “Why American MMA fans shouldn’t sleep on RIZIN.” August 2025.
https://combatpress.com/2025/08/why-american-mma-fans-shouldnt-sleep-on-rizin-japans-wild-answer-to-the-ufc/
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