Who were the winners at Fight Night Japan: Barnett vs. Nelson? Click below to get the results for all the fights at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2015.
Nelson vs. Barnett | Hall vs. Mousasi | Camus vs. Horiguchi | Roop vs. Mizugaki | Brandao vs. Kikuno | Ishihara vs. Hirota | Jingliang vs. Nakamura | Kasuya vs. Hein | Johnson vs. Kotani | Zapata vs. Anzai
Fight Night Japan main card
Main Event: Roy Nelson vs. Josh Barnett
The Warmaster Josh Barnett wins by unanimous decision (50-45, 48-47, 48-47). According to Fight Metrics, Barnett's 95 significant clinch strikes against Nelson are a new single-fight UFC record.
Prefight reading/viewing
- Josh Barnett-Roy Nelson clash is a big deal in Japan
- Roy Nelson’s unique approach in Tokyo has him ready
- Japan feels like home for Josh Barnett
- The Downes Side: Fight Night predictions
- Watch: Media day highlights
- Watch UFC Minute: What’s at stake in Japan?
- Watch First Person: Roy Nelson sounds off about Josh Barnett
- Watch First Person: Josh Barnett on being the American MMA ambassador to Japan
- Watch Joe Rogan preview Barnett vs. Nelson
Co-Main Event: Uriah Hall vs. Gegard Mousasi
Hall wins by TKO over Mousasi 25 seconds into Round 2
More from Fight Night Japan: Full Results | Post-fight bonus recap |Barnett outlasts Nelson in five-round thiller | Hall spin-kicks way to victory over Mousasi | Horiguchi, Mizugaki, Brandao win in Japan | Watch: Uriah Hall’s KO kick against Gegard Mousasi | Watch: Barnett’s passionate Octagon address to Japanese crowd | Watch: Uriah Hall talks after victory |Gallery: Best sights from Japan
Prefight reading/viewing
- Mousasi welcomes return to Japan
- Uriah Hall at peace
- The Downes Side: Fight Night predictions
- Watch First Person: Uriah Hall on his motivation and why he took this fight
- Watch First Person: Gegard Mousasi on his path to the UFC
- Watch UFC Minute: What’s at stake in Japan?
- Watch: Media day highlights
Chico Camus vs. Kyoji Horiguchi
Horiguchi defeats Camus by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
They said it:
Kyoji Horiguchi: "I was craving to win this fight, I really wanted it badly. I put a lot of time into preparing myself for this fight. Although a KO win would have been more sufficient, I’m definitely happy that I was able to prevail. But quite frankly it wasn’t my 100%, with that being said there’s a lot of room for me to improve. I was hoping to show my fans some of the moves I’ve been practicing, like tackles and ground moves but getting a win is all that matters."
Prefight reading/viewing
- King Camus’ road to the crown
- A new and improved Kyoji Horiguchi returns
- The Downes Side: Fight Night predictions
- Watch UFC Minute: What’s at stake in Japan?
George Roop vs. Takeya Mizugaki
Mizugaki wins by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) over Roop
They said it:
Takeya Mizugaki: "This win means so much to me. I was really itching for a win. Not going to lie, I was on the edge of quitting this sport last year, and for me to be able to come back and get a victory in UFC means the world."
Prefight reading/viewing
- Mizugaki is established, but not satisfied
- It’s fighting, not football, for Roop this week
- The Downes Side: Fight Night predictions
Diego Brandao vs. Katsunori Kikuno
Brazilian Brandao won in decisive fashion, earning a TKO victory 28 seconds into the first round against Kikuno
They said it:
Diego Brandao: "We trained essentially 9 months for this fight because of injuries and fights falling through so it was good to finally get in there and get the win. I want to thank my opponent for getting in there with me today. I'll take another fight and let Aldo knock out (Conor) McGregor and then I'll get my hands on him a second time and I promise it won't be a repeat of the first time."
Prefight reading/viewing
Teruto Ishihara vs. Mizuto Hirota
After going three rounds, the judges score the fight a draw (29-28 Ishihara, 29-28 Hirota, 29-29). As a result, both finalists in the Road to UFC Japan have been awarded a six-figure contract with the UFC.
They said it:
Mizuto Hirota: "I consider this a loss, that’s all."
Teruto Ishihara: “I honestly thought I won the fight, I have not much to say about the outcome but it is unfortunate for both of us. Even during the fight I thought I had more edge on him. Hirota is not the kind of guy you can knockout by one punch. I realized today that I’m able to compete against fighters like Hirota. It gave me a confidence for the future fights.”
Prefight reading/viewing
Fight Night Japan prelims
Li Jingliang vs. Keita Nakamura
Nakamura wins by rear naked choke submission 2:17 into the third round
They said it:
Keita Nakamura: "I could’ve fought better, not really happy with how I fought but certainly content with the outcome. It was a great experience nonetheless. There’s a lot of room to improve though. I just want to relax and soak this in right now."
Li Jingliang: “I was trying to fight him him step by step, I should have finished when he was on the ground but I tried to change position and made a mistake.”
Prefight reading/viewing
Yusuke Kasuya vs. Nick Hein
Nick Hein wins the fight by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
They said it:
Nick Hein: "I felt a lot of pressure fighting a Japanese fighter in front of a Japanese crowd. I didn't expect him to control so much of the standup action and he got me with several good body kicks. In the end, our plan worked and that's what's most important. I'm going to talk to my coaches about what's next but I'm not really feeling getting back into the Octagon anytime soon. I think I need some time off."
Yusuke Kasuya: “When he hit me in the groin I know accidents happen. That didn't really affect the outcome of the fight. I just needed to be more aggressive.”
Prefight reading/viewing
Kajan Johnson vs. Naoyuki Kotani
Ragin’ Kajan Johnson defeats Naoyuki Kotani by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
They said it:
Kajan Johnson: "Its so amazing fighting in Japan. The crowd is so different than in America. In the US, everyone is booing or yelling "hit him in the face," whereas in Japan everyone is so respectful. As a martial artist, it's great to see that respect for my profession. Im not looking too far in the future regarding what's next for me. There is still a lot I need to improve on and I don't want to jump the ladder too quickly. I definitely need to add more gas too my tank and improve my conditioning. I also have to start finishing guys and not leave it to the judges. I hate the judges."
Naoyuki Kotani: “Johnson performed better overall, it was clear. Throughout the fight Johnson made it really difficult for me to establish my own rhythm. He was particularly good at not letting me lay punches on him, whereas I let him do whatever he wanted, you can’t win like that.”
Prefight reading/viewing
Roger Zapata vs. Shinsho Anzai
Saitama’s own Shinsho Anzai is declared the winner by TKO 47 seconds into Round No. 3 after a hand injury to Roger Zapata
They said it:
Shinsho Anzai: “I was able to be aggressive from the start, which was my original game plan. I'm just really happy that was able to perform the way I did in front of my hometown fans, definitely content with what I got out of it.”
Roger Zapata: "I broke my middle finger and turned around to gain my composure. I didn't make any noises and Shinzo landed 3 punches and then the ref stepped in and called for the doctor. The doctor said I could continue fighting but then the ref was like it's over. It wasn't like he was landing brutal punches as I had my back turned and I was planning on coming back and connecting for one handed knock out. I was trying to give the fans an exciting fight."
Prefight reading/viewing