Takeda Koji claimed a stunning comeback victory over Majima Issei in a RIZIN featherweight contest, submitting his opponent with a triangle armbar near the end of the first round. Majima had controlled much of the early action with his grappling, but Takeda turned the tide with a slick armbar-to-triangle choke combination to secure the finish. Following the bout, Takeda used the post-fight microphone to send words of encouragement to Hagiwara Kyohei, who is currently on a losing streak.
Takeda Koji delivered one of the more dramatic finishes on the RIZIN card, submitting Majima Issei with a triangle armbar late in the first round to earn a comeback victory in their featherweight contest on August 11, 2026.
Majima had dictated the early pace on the ground, using his grappling to keep Takeda under pressure for much of the opening frame. It appeared the bout was trending in his favor until Takeda found his opening, transitioning slickly from an armbar attempt into a triangle choke and forcing the tap before the round could conclude. The finish illustrated the kind of dynamic, chain-submission grappling that can shift a fight in seconds.
The victory was all the more notable given how the bout had unfolded. Takeda absorbed the early adversity and capitalized at precisely the right moment, turning what looked like a difficult night into a statement win.
After the fight, Takeda took the microphone and directed a message of encouragement toward Hagiwara Kyohei, a fellow fighter currently working through a difficult stretch of results. The gesture added a personal dimension to an already memorable evening for Takeda.
Why it matters
- The submission finish underlines Takeda's danger on the ground even from a disadvantaged position, a warning to other featherweights on the RIZIN roster.
- Majima's grappling-heavy approach was neutralized by a single sharp transition, raising questions about his path back in the division.
- Takeda's public show of support for Hagiwara Kyohei keeps a spotlight on the latter's situation and signals a degree of camaraderie within the Japanese MMA community.
