Tony Laramie is the new Rizin flyweight champion. Laramie won a split decision over Makoto Takahashi at Rizin 55 on Nov. 8 at LaLa arena TOKYO-BAY in Funabashi, Chiba, taking the title in just his second fight for the promotion, according to Cageside Press.
The Canadian fighter, from Windsor, Ontario, did not have an easy path to the belt. Takahashi, the reigning champion, dropped Laramie early in the fight, but Laramie recovered and fought his way back to win on two of the three judges' scorecards. It is Laramie's first major title, capping a three-fight winning streak that got him the shot. His brother, T.J., worked his corner.
Takahashi had won the flyweight title just months earlier, beating Hiromasa Ougikubo by unanimous decision at Rizin Landmark 14 in June. His reign lasted one defense.
An event database maintained by VerdictMMA lists Laramie as the winner, consistent with Cageside Press's account, and Takahashi's own Wikipedia fight record lists the result as a split decision loss over three five-minute rounds, with the flyweight championship marked as lost.
Reporting & references
Follow the original reporting and records behind this article.
- Cageside PressTony Laramie Claims Flyweight Gold, Hamada Slam KO Stuns RIZIN 55
- VerdictMMARIZIN 55 event page and results
- WikipediaMakoto Takahashi (fighter)
By the Cage Dispatch editorial desk. Read our editorial policy or report a correction.
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