Danny Sabatello successfully defended the RIZIN Bantamweight Championship for the second time, stopping JinnoSuke Kashimura with a right hand KO in the third round. Kashimura had pressed the action with grappling throughout the fight, while Sabatello relied on his stand-up game before landing the decisive shot.
Danny Sabatello made his second successful defense of the RIZIN Bantamweight Championship on July 18, 2026, stopping Jinnosuke Kashimura with a right hand knockout in the third round.
Sabatello, known as the "Italian Gangster," enters the record books at 9-1-0 following the finish. The 33-year-old American from American Top Team is a legitimate force on the feet, landing 2.07 significant strikes per minute at an accuracy rate of 57 percent. He also maintains a well-rounded game, averaging three takedowns per 15 minutes, giving opponents few safe havens wherever the fight goes.
Kashimura came into the bout as a 24-year-old prospect out of Japan and Battle Box, carrying a 4-2-0 record and a relentless grappling-heavy style. Standing five-foot-seven with a 71-inch reach, the southpaw averages 3.16 takedowns and a striking 6.3 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a persistent threat on the ground. His striking output, however, sits at just 0.21 significant strikes per minute, reflecting how heavily he leans on his wrestling and submission game.
According to the summary, Kashimura pressed the action with grappling throughout the contest, but Sabatello leaned on his stand-up credentials to weather the pressure. When the opening presented itself in the third round, Sabatello landed the decisive right hand to seal the stoppage.
Why it matters
- Sabatello's second title defense cements his standing as the premier bantamweight in RIZIN
- The finish underscores his striking efficiency against a fighter whose game plan revolved around closing distance and dragging the fight to the mat
- At 33, Sabatello shows no signs of slipping, while Kashimura, still only 24, gains valuable championship-level experience in only his sixth professional bout
