RIZIN announced the 2026 RIZIN Koshien final for New Year's Eve: 16-year-old Sora Kaneko against 18-year-old Christian Akira Matsuo, with a DELiGHTWORKS development contract at stake.
From 2 reports by 2 outlets
What you need to know
- Kaneko (16, FIGHTER'S FLOW) and Matsuo (18, Carlos Toyota bjj) advanced from an eight-fighter field on Oct. 17.
- The champion earns a development affiliation contract with DELiGHTWORKS, the right to appear in RIZIN and a three million yen scholarship.
- Kaneko beat Yamaguchi by anaconda choke in 50 seconds and Abe by unanimous decision; Matsuo beat Yoshida by split decision and Yokomizo by armbar at 1:57.
- Qualifying was two three-minute rounds at 63 kg with no elbows to the face.
Reported, not confirmed
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The Koshien winner receives a DELiGHTWORKS development contract, the right to compete in Rizin and a three-million-yen purse; the final is at 63 kg.
Pos-Luta
RIZIN announced on Oct. 19 that Sora Kaneko will face Christian Akira Matsuo in the RIZIN Koshien 2026 final on New Year's Eve, after an eight-fighter qualifier in Tokyo on Oct. 17.
Kaneko, 16, of FIGHTER'S FLOW in Tokyo, submitted Yamaguchi with an anaconda choke after 50 seconds and then beat Abe by unanimous decision. Matsuo, 18, from Shizuoka and Carlos Toyota bjj, beat Yoshida by split decision and submitted Yokomizo with an armbar at 1:57 of round one. Qualifying used two three-minute rounds at 63 kg and prohibited elbows to the face.
The champion earns a development affiliation contract with DELiGHTWORKS, the right to appear in RIZIN and a three million yen scholarship that reimburses qualifying combat-sports expenses.
Kaneko, 16, of FIGHTER'S FLOW in Tokyo, submitted Yamaguchi with an anaconda choke after 50 seconds and then beat Abe by unanimous decision. Matsuo, 18, from Shizuoka and Carlos Toyota bjj, beat Yoshida by split decision and submitted Yokomizo with an armbar at 1:57 of round one. Qualifying used two three-minute rounds at 63 kg and prohibited elbows to the face.
The champion earns a development affiliation contract with DELiGHTWORKS, the right to appear in RIZIN and a three million yen scholarship that reimburses qualifying combat-sports expenses.
- Summary
- RIZIN announced the 2026 RIZIN Koshien final for New Year's Eve: 16-year-old Sora Kaneko against 18-year-old Christian Akira Matsuo, with a DELiGHTWORKS development contract at stake.
- Key points (one per line)
- Kaneko (16, FIGHTER'S FLOW) and Matsuo (18, Carlos Toyota bjj) advanced from an eight-fighter field on Oct. 17.
The champion earns a development affiliation contract with DELiGHTWORKS, the right to appear in RIZIN and a three million yen scholarship.
Kaneko beat Yamaguchi by anaconda choke in 50 seconds and Abe by unanimous decision; Matsuo beat Yoshida by split decision and Yokomizo by armbar at 1:57.
Qualifying was two three-minute rounds at 63 kg with no elbows to the face.
- Also reported by (Name | URL per line)
- MiddleEasy | https://middleeasy.com/mma-news/sora-kaneko-christian-akira-matsuo-rizin-koshien2026-final/
Pos-Luta | https://posluta.com/rizin-define-final-do-torneio-koshien-2026-entre-os-jovens-sora-kaneko-e-christian-akira-matsuo/
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MiddleEasySummarized with AI from the sources above. Read the originals for the full story.
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