Vugar Karamov moved a step closer to a shot at the Rizin featherweight title in Osaka on Saturday. He submitted Yoshinori Horie in the second round to secure a third straight win for the Japanese promotion.
Karamov controlled the first round from start to finish, dominating his opponent in every department. He dropped Horie in the closing stages and the UFC veteran would have been grateful to hear the bell.
There was no respite in the second round as Karamov became relentless in pursuit of the takedowns. He shot for a double leg and Horie gave up his back trying to escape.
He quickly sank in a rear naked choke and there was no escape for Horie. The tap came at the 4:21 mark and sees Karamov improve to 18-4 while his opponent drops to 12-4.
Vugar gets the tap, and makes his intentions clear on what he wants next!
[ #RIZIN41 |@FiteTV | Watch the PPV here: https://t.co/1L6w5XNsI4 ] pic.twitter.com/i1NCqSqMwH
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) April 1, 2023
Best of the rest
Makoto Takahashi (16-1-1) demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the best flyweight prospects in the region. He extended his winning streak to ten by submitting veteran Daichi Kitakata (20-12-1) with an arm triangle choke in the second round.
Keita Nakamura (36-11-2) came out on top in the clash between welterweight veterans. He finished Kiichi Kunimoto (20-11-2) with a barrage of soccer kicks and punches, the 38 year old as making his comeback after an absence of nearly three years.
Rizin 41, Osaka, April 1st
Kickboxing: Ryusei Ashizawa def. Kouzi via Decision (Split) 3 3:00 Kickboxing: Vugar Karamov def. Yoshinori Horie via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 3:21 of R2
Keita Nakamura def. Kiichi Kunimoto via KO (Punches and Soccer Kick) at 0:49 of R2
Makoto Takahashi def. Daichi Kitakata via Technical Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) at 1:17 of R2
Kyohei Hagiwara def. Kyle Aguon via Decision (Unanimous)
Koichi Ishizuka def. Yuto Hokamura via Decision (Split)
Kim Kyung-pyo def. Sho Patrick Usami via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 3:33 of R1 Flyweight
Mehman Mamedov def. Yusaku Nakamura via KO (Punches) at 0:23 of R1
Kickboxing: Shun Onishi def. Motoki via KO (Punch) at 1:37 of R1
Kickboxing: Sota Kimura def. Shingeki no Yuuki via TKO (Body Punch) at 1:32 of R3
