End of the bad streak! Former champion, Brazilian wins fight at Rizin special event.

Kleber Koike celebrates victory at Rizin. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/kleber_koike

Kleber Koike turned his career around at the close of the 2025 season, more precisely this Wednesday (31). At the traditional Rizin event held on the last day of the year in Japan, the Brazilian faced Vugar Karamov in the featherweight division (up to 65,8 kg) and came out on top. The veteran, a former champion in the category, won by unanimous decision after three rounds.

In this way, Koike rediscovered victory, ending the worst moment in his MMA career. Before competing in the grand show, the Brazilian had lost two fights in a row. Now, with the triumph over the Azerbaijani athlete, the 36-year-old veteran is once again dreaming of winning the Asian company's featherweight belt for the third time.

See too

UFC Pirate survives slam, surprises Tsarukyan in fight and demands apartment.

Khabib reveals the moment he became leader of the Dagestan Clan after his father's death.

What?! Bryce Mitchell makes absurd claim after Anthony Joshua's accident: 'If I don't let Jake Paul win…'

Meet Koike

Kleber Koike, 36, is an MMA veteran and one of Rizin's top fighters. A jiu-jitsu specialist, the Brazilian began his career in the sport in 2008 and debuted for the company in 2020.

In this discipline, the athlete won 35 fights, lost nine, drew once, and one bout ended in a 'no contest' (no result). His main victories were over Chihiro Suzuki, Juan Archuleta, and Mikuru Asakura.