2017 in Rizin Fighting Federation

The year 2017 was the third year in the history of the Rizin Fighting Federation, a mixed martial arts promotion based in Japan. The year began with Rizin 2017 in Yokohama: Sakura on April 16, 2017.

Rizin events are broadcased through a television agreement with Fuji Television. In North America and Europe, Rizin events became available on FITE TV.

Background
Nobuyuki Sakakibara announced that Rizin will do 5 events in 2017: April, July, October, and the usual December 29 and 31 show.

He also announced that they will do 2 Grand Prix this year. One is men, other is women. He stated the women grand prix will be at Atomweight due to the fact Rena Kubota will be in the grand prix. Kyoji Horiguchi will compete in the men tournament which take place at Bantamweight 61 kg.

Rizin's Bantamweight grand prix will begin on July 30 at the Saitama Super Arena, with the first four opening rounds bouts of the tournament bracket. The remaining four opening bouts will take place in the autumn. Similar to the last year GP, the quarterfinals are scheduled for Dec. 29. The semifinals and finals will be held on the same night, Dec. 31, at Saitama Super Arena.

16-Man bantamweight 61 kg GP participants

 * 🇯🇵 Kyoji Horiguchi
 * 🇯🇵 Hideo Tokoro
 * 🇯🇵 Erson Yamamoto
 * 🇯🇵 Takafumi Otsuka
 * 🇯🇵 Keita Ishibashi
 * 🇩🇪 Khalid Taha
 * 🇺🇸 Anthony Birchak
 * 🇯🇵 Shintaro Ishiwatari
 * Manel Kape
 * 🇷🇺 Akhmed Musakaev
 * 🇰🇷 Jae Hoon Moon
 * 🇫🇷 Kevin Petshi
 * 🇺🇸 Ian McCall
 * 🇧🇷 Gabriel Oliviera

8-female super atomweight 49 kg GP participants

 * 🇯🇵 Rena Kubota
 * 🇯🇵 Kanna Asakura
 * 🇺🇸 Andy Nguyen
 * 🇯🇵 Miyuu Yamamoto
 * 🇧🇷 Maria Oliveira
 * 🇵🇱 Sylwia Juśkiewicz
 * 🇺🇸 Alyssa Garcia
 * Irene Cabello Rivera

Rizin 2017 in Yokohama: Sakura
 Rizin 2017 in Yokohama: Sakura  was a mixed martial arts event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on April 16, 2017 at the Yokohama Arena in Yokohama, Japan.

Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: opening round part 1
Rizin World Grand Prix 2017 opening round part 1 was a mixed martial arts event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on July 30, 2017 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: opening round part 2
Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: opening round part 2 was a mixed martial arts event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on October 15, 2017 at the Marine Messe Fukuoka in Fukuoka, Japan.

Background
Dan Henderson supposed to face fellow MMA legend Kazushi Sakuraba in a grappling match however, Henderson suffered a neck injury and Frank Shamrock step in as a replacement.

Kanna Asakura fought Saori Ishioka at DEEP JEWELS 17 in a Super Atomweight Grand Prix Qualification bout. Asakura won by Unanimous Decision.

Andy Nguyen missed weight.

Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd round
Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd round was a mixed martial arts event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on December 29, 2017 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Background
Seiichiro Ito was to face Kai Asakura at this event but had to withdraw due to a nasal fractures. He was replaced by Kizaemon Saiga.

Gabrielle Garcia was scheduled to face Shinobu Kandori at this event. However, Garcia missed weight by over 26 pounds and the bout was canceled.

Rizin Fan Expo 2017
Rizin Fan Expo 2017 was an Expo event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on December 29-30-31,2017 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Background
This expo featured the Rizin 2017 jiu-jitsu tournament, a Grappling tournament, a high school Sambo tournament, an amateur Kickboxing tournament and an amateur Mixed martial arts tournament.

Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: final round
Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: final round was a mixed martial arts event held by the Rizin Fighting Federation on December 31, 2017, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Background
This event included the semi-finals and final of the Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix. The quarter-finals were held two days previous at Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd round. Also on the card are the semi-finals and final of the Women's Super Atomweight Grand Prix.