Japanese promotion Rizin FF crowned their first featherweight champion at Rizin FF 25 as Yutaka Saito claimed the inaugural 145-pound title in Osaka, Japan after snapping Mikuru Asakura ’s three-year winning streak. Asakura (13-2) settled into his strikes early and connected with a succession of body kicks from the southpaw stance, as well as a well-timed knee to the body as Saito (19-4-2) stepped in to close the distance. But Asakura’s early momentum came to a halt when a thumping kick to Saito’s groin brought the bout to a stop as the referee allowed the injured fighter time to fully recover. When the action resumed, Asakura went straight back to his body kick and connected hard with Saito’s midsection, while Saito struggled to find his range with his own strikes
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