Extreme Fight Game RISE, known simply as RISE,[1] is a Japanese kickboxingpromotion company based in Tokyo. Their name is an abbreviation of "Real Impact Sports Entertainment".[2]
Its main roster showcases ten male and three female weight classes.[3] They also hold the KAMINARIMON events, which are exclusively open to amateur fighters.[4]
History
RISE held their inaugural event on February 23, 2003, at the Gold Jim South Tokyo Annex in Ōmori, Japan.[5] They held their first "Dead or Alive" tournament on December 23, 2003, which would later become an annual event held at the end of each year. Before the bankruptcy of Fighting and Entertainment Group, winners of the "Dead or Alive" tournaments earned a berth in the K-1 MAX Japan tournaments.[6] After successfully holding "Dead or Alive" tournaments at 70 kg for two consecutive years, by the end of 2005 they furthermore held tournaments at 60 kg, 80 kg and heavyweight as well.[7]
It 2008, RISE opted to stop deciding on champions through one-day tournaments, as they believed the result of the matches may be affected by a combination of favorable match-ups and luck. They instead began deciding on champions through single five-round bouts. The first three championships were at 60 kg, 70 kg and at heavyweight. Rankings weren't established at the time.[8]
Beginning with R.I.S.E. 46 ~ THE KING OF GLADIATORS '08 ~, RISE began to use Arabic numerals in event names. Up to that point, event names used Roman numerals.[9]
The first women's championship was established on November 23, 2011, when Rena Kubota was crowned the RISE Queen after defeating Erika Kamimura.[10]
On January 5, 2022, RISE announced a partnership with Glory, which would allow cross-promotion and mutual exchange of fighters under contract.[11] On February 10, 2023, the reached the same agreement with K-1.[12][13] On January 11, 2024, it was announced that Glory and RISE would hold joint tournaments, combine their rankings and unify their rankings.[14]
Rules
The original RISE rules allowed strikes with fists and elbows, but prohibited knee strikes. Passivity from fighters was penalized by half point deductions. From May 16, 2010, RISE adopted K-1 rules which allowed for a single knee strike, but prohibited elbow strikes. The bouts are contested across three rounds lasting three minutes. Two additional extra rounds can be fought. The fighters wear shorts or tight kick pants, while women must additionally wear a top. All fighters must have a mouth guard. Elbow strikes, excessive petroleum jelly usage, eye pokes, throws, and unsporting behavior may all result in a point deduction.[15]
If a fighter fails to make weight, they will be afforded a second opprotunity two hours after the initial weigh-in. Should they pass, they will be fined a percentage of their purse and will be given a point deduction. If they're above weight by 2 kilograms or more, they will be disqualified and the bout will be declared a no-contest. If they fail the second weigh-in but aren't above 2 kilograms, they will be given a two point deduction, will be fined a portion of their purse, and may be forced to fight in 10 oz gloves, if their opponent so chooses. The fighter must still be within 5% of the contracted weight, three hours before the event is supposed to take place.[16]
The KANARIMON events are contested across three rounds of two minutes. Alongside all the prohibitions present in RISE fights, knee strikes to the head are likewise prohibited. Single matches don't have an extension rounds in case of a draw, while tournament draws result in a single one minute extra round.[17]
Broadcast
RISE events are broadcast by AbemaTV domestically in Japan,[18] with full matches from these events later posted on their YouTube channel.[19] RISE World Series events were previously streamed outside of Japan on FITE TV (now TrillerTV).[20]
