From start to finish, RIZIN's return to the sold-out Saitama Super Arena, packed with 48,117 attendees, provided fireworks. In the co-headlining bout, Rukiya Anpo took on Filipino boxing royalty Manny Pacquiao in a special three-round exhibition match.
The former K-1 champion started tentatively, measuring his distance in the first minute of the fight, wary of the experience of the 45-year-old Pacquiao. However, once he connected, the power difference between the two became obvious. Anpo continued to land power punches and combinations, hurting Pacquiao on several occasions. The seasoned veteran struggled to keep up with his younger opponent, often swinging at air during the first two rounds.
Both fighters came alive in the final round, turning up the heat and brawling it out until the final bell. Despite Anpo's dominant display, the fight was ruled a draw, as is common with exhibition bouts.
Ryan Garcia made his way to the ring after the fight, congratulating and calling out both Pacquiao and Anpo for a future fight in RIZIN.
The former interim world boxing title holder declared, "I truly believe I knock out Anpo in three rounds".
Minoru Kimura tried to get in on the action and attempted to storm the ring shirtless, but his efforts were thwarted after a brief scuffle.
