Rizin 17 Predictions

Rizin 17 is only hours away and it’s a good card and since I’m doing this last minute, I better get started.

Taiga Vs. Hikaru Machida (Kickboxing)

This is a fun match up. Machida has had a very weird record as every time he gets a win, he suffers a loss so it’s kinda win-lose-win-lose-win-lose and by that logic, he would lose this fight and that was actually my prediction anyway so it fits! 22 year old, Taiga Kawabe hasn’t picked up a win in kickboxing since 2017 with his last win being over Koji. I predict a decision win for Taiga here.

Prediction: Taiga Kawabe (Decision)

Ivan Shtyrkov Vs. Hoon Kim

Russian beast, Ivan Shtyrkov is 16-0-1 and he is massive. He takes on Hoon Kim and if you’re asking who’s he? Then let me tell you. Hoon Kim is from South Korea and is 10-12. I’m going to say that Shtyrkov will win this by submission in the second round.

Prediction: Ivan Shtyrkov (Round 2; Submission)

Yuki Motoya Vs. Hiromasa Ogikubo

Japanese bantamweight takes on another Japanese bantamweight. This is a tough one to predict but I think I need to go with a Yuki Motoya victory in the second round via submission. He has so many ways to win and it’s incredible how he does it.

Prediction: Yuki Motoya (Round 2; Submission)

Shintaro Ishiwatari Vs. Ulka Sasaki

This is a really hard fight to predict I my opinion. You’ve got two men who really want to win and this is Ishiwatari’s first fight since 2017 but I don’t think it’s going to go well in his return and I think 29 year old, Sasaki will win the fight by decision.

Predictiln: Ulka Sasaki (Decision)

Yusuke Yachi Vs. Mikuru Asakura

You’ve got 20-8 taking on 9-2. This should be interesting but I think the more experience will win this fight and I think it can be a quick submission victory for Yusuke Yachi.

Prediction: Yusuke Yachi (Round 1; Submission)