Luis Gustavo captured the RIZIN lightweight championship by defeating Ilkhom Nazimov via first-round knockout at RIZIN 53. The event featured multiple bouts including a special rules stand-up only, no weight limit fight between Ren Hiramoto and Koji Tanaka that ended in a draw. Ryo Takagi scored a first-round knockout over Kaiven Lee. Other notable results included Shinobu Ota submitting Yuto Hokamura with an arm triangle in round two, Keito Oyama defeating Katie Perez by unanimous decision, and multiple submission victories throughout the card. The event showcased both MMA and kickboxing matchups.
Luis Gustavo claimed the RIZIN lightweight championship with a first-round knockout of Ilkhom Nazimov at RIZIN 53 on May 11, 2026, adding another title to the Japanese promotion's storied 155-pound division.
No verified fighter data was available for either Gustavo or Nazimov ahead of publication, but the finish itself confirmed Gustavo as the new titleholder after a swift and decisive performance inside the opening frame.
Why it matters
- Gustavo's first-round finish cements him as the new face of the RIZIN lightweight division
- The title changes hands with a statement performance, raising his profile across Asian MMA
- The result sets up potential future unification or crossover bouts within the 155-pound landscape
RIZIN 53 was a mixed-format card blending MMA and kickboxing bouts. A special rules stand-up only, no weight limit contest between Ren Hiramoto and Koji Tanaka ended in a draw, generating significant attention for its unconventional format. Ryo Takagi added to the knockout highlights with a first-round finish of Kaiven Lee.
Submission wrestling was also well represented on the night. Shinobu Ota tapped out Yuto Hokamura with an arm triangle choke in round two, while several other fighters secured submission victories across the undercard. Keito Oyama rounded out the notable results with a unanimous decision win over Katie Perez.
The event underscored RIZIN's continued commitment to featuring diverse combat sports formats alongside its core MMA matchups, delivering finishes at multiple weight classes and under varying rule sets throughout the card.
