Rizin Champion Hiromasa Ougikubo Claims Rizin Flyweight Division Can Rival UFC

Hiromasa Ougikubo, at 38 years old, continues to defy expectations, proving that age is merely a number as he remains an elite flyweight competitor. After securing both the Rizin flyweight title and triumphing in the RFF 125-pound Grand Prix, Ougikubo was asked about the secret to his sustained success at such a high level in the demanding sport. He attributed his longevity to:

"Changing and adjusting my training based off of my age. I think that's the secret to longevity…. Yeah, so for an example, my sparring sessions on fight camp have went down significantly. Like almost under half compared to when I was younger. So with that said, the wear and tear and damage in my body is not that significant. There is no build up from practice and sparring. I stretch my body out a lot."

Ougikubo also previously claimed the Rizin bantamweight Grand Prix championship in 2021. Reflecting on the significance of winning RFF Grand Prix titles in various weight classes, he commented:

"Yeah, so back in 2021, when I won the bantamweight Grand Prix, you know, bantamweight is not my weight class, you know. For me to be able to win significant titles in my weight class is something that kind of [solidifies] what I have been doing throughout my career. I would say concludes something."

Hiromasa Ougikubo: "Rizin Flyweight Division is on Par with UFC's"

Ougikubo humorously noted the absence of a marriage proposal, unlike his 2021 Rizin Fighting Federation GP victory, after his RFF NYE 2025 grand prix win. He shared his thoughts on the recent final bout:

"Yeah, so there wasn't a proposal at the end like last time, of course. But I really wanted to bring my family into the ring after the fight but that didn't happen. But for me that fight, the final, the fight against [Yuki] Motoya, I think it was a great fight. We were able to bring it all. We showed it all, we went head to head, toe to toe."

"We gave it all and I think it was a great fight that; we fought our spirits off. Being able to win such a tough, gritty fight, that itself means a lot to me. But, you know, more so being able to get that belt around my waist, that meant more than anything."

Considering 125 pounds is his natural weight class, and participating in another grand New Year's Eve spectacle—a cherished tradition in Japan—must have been a monumental occasion. Ougikubo confirmed:

"Yeah, obviously it was a great moment and it was a great accomplishment. My goal for me going forward is that I want to continue to raise the value of this Rizin flyweight belt, you know. My goal is to make Rizin's flyweight division something that can go head to head against the UFC flyweight division, you know. That's my goal as a champion. So, you know, I want to make people understand and know that the level of competition in the Rizin flyweight division is no less than the UFC's flyweight division."