Takahashi dethrones mentor Ougikubo to claim Rizin flyweight title in hometown Sendai

Makoto ‘Shinryu’ Takahashi is the new Rizin flyweight champion after outpointing former mentor Hiromasa Ougikubo by unanimous decision in the main event of Rizin FF: Landmark Vol. 14 in Sendai, Japan on Saturday. The victory avenged a loss to Ougikubo from July 2024 and ended the 39-year-old’s five-fight winning streak.

Fighting in front of his hometown crowd, Takahashi (23-5-1, 1 NC; 9-4 Rizin) set the tone early by ducking under a wild left hand and dragging Ougikubo (30-9-2; 12-6 Rizin) to the mat within the opening minute, working from back control with punches and elbows to the ribs. Ougikubo scrambled back to his feet late in the first round and unsettled Takahashi with a calf kick, showing the resilience that has defined his long career.

The second round saw Ougikubo land a sharp combination before Takahashi responded with a trip takedown. Ougikubo rose again and unleashed a series of left hooks to the head and liver, pressing Takahashi against the fence with punches and clinches. Despite the pressure, Takahashi’s grappling control and output over three rounds proved enough to earn all three judges’ scorecards.

Post-fight, the two rivals spoke privately in the cage and publicly reconciled, drawing a close to a feud that had simmered since before their first meeting. Takahashi has now won five of his last six contests and stands as the undisputed leader of a competitive Rizin flyweight division.

In the 130-pound co-main event, Tony Laramie (13-3; 4-1 Rizin) strengthened his title credentials with a unanimous decision over former two-division Rizin title challenger Yuki Motoya (39-14, 1 NC; 14-10, 1 NC Rizin). Laramie dropped Motoya with a lead left hook, threatened with a shoulder choke, and controlled mount in the second round before finishing strongly despite rolling his ankle in the final minute. All three judges scored in his favour, and Laramie immediately called out the main event winner.