Roberto “Satoshi” Souza defeated Shunta Nomura by unanimous decision at Super RIZIN 5 on Thursday at Kyocera Dome Osaka. All three judges scored the 71-kilogram lightweight bout 29-28 for the former RIZIN champion.
Souza entered the matchup trying to rebound from the 13-second knockout that ended his title reign on New Year’s Eve. Nomura, the DEEP lightweight champion, returned after beating Patricky Pitbull by decision at Super RIZIN 4 and recovering from the injuries that had twice delayed his meeting with Souza.
Watch RIZIN’s official fight highlights below:
Souza Won The First And Third Rounds On The Mat
Nomura connected with a right hook early in Round 1, prompting Souza to close the distance. Souza completed a takedown near the corner, worked from top position with knees and punches, and moved to Nomura’s back before the DEEP champion escaped to his feet.
Nomura changed the fight in Round 2. He stopped Souza’s takedown attempts and repeatedly found a home for his jab and right hand. One jab opened a cut around Souza’s right eyelid, giving Nomura the clearest striking stretch of the contest.
Souza answered in the deciding round by timing another takedown beneath Nomura’s punches. He attacked an arm, secured back mount, locked his legs around Nomura’s waist and threatened a rear-naked choke while landing short punches. Nomura defended every submission attempt, but Souza controlled the position through the final bell.
RIZIN also released a directly related clip from the three-round fight:
Souza Asked For A New Year’s Eve Opportunity
After the scorecards were announced, Souza discussed the injury and asked RIZIN for another opportunity at its traditional year-end show. In an English translation, he said:
“My shoulder came out at the start of Round 3. Once my shoulder is healed, please give me a chance on New Year’s Eve.”
The victory restored Souza after the fastest loss of his career and handed Nomura his first defeat since 2022. The card continued after Yutaka Saito controlled YA-MAN for a unanimous decision and Vugar Karamov outworked Ryo Takagi over three rounds.
The event is scheduled to close with Razhabali Shaidulloev facing A.J. McKee in a RIZIN-PFL featherweight title fight. For Souza, the immediate question is the condition of his shoulder and whether his request for a New Year’s Eve return can fit RIZIN’s lightweight plans.
