Arai vs Zulu

Who won Arai vs Zulu?

Nkazimulo Zulu beat Jo Arai by knockout in the 1st round during the main card of RIZIN 48, on Sunday 29th September 2024 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 3 rounds in the Flyweight division, which meant the weight limit was 125 pounds (8.9 stone or 56.7 KG).

Arai vs Zulu stats

Jo Arai stepped into the octagon with a record of 13 wins, 11 losses and 1 draw, 9 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 1 by submission.

Nkazimulo Zulu made his way to the cage with a record of 15 wins, 6 losses and 1 draw, 6 of those wins coming by knock out and 7 by submission.

Both men made their promotional debut for Rizin.

The stats suggested Arai had a large advantage in power over Zulu, boasting a 69% knock out percentage over Zulu's 40%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Zulu had a massive advantage over Arai, boasting a 47% submission rate over Arai's 8%.

Jo Arai was the younger man by 9 years, at 26 years old.

Zulu had a height advantage of 2 inches over Arai.

Arai was arguably the less experienced fighter, having had 3 more fights, and made his debut in 2016, 3 years later than Zulu, whose first professional fight was in 2013. He had fought 22 less professional rounds, 40 to Zulu's 62.

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What were the odds on Arai vs Zulu?

Jo Arai was a 12/5 (+240) underdog going into the contest, while Nkazimulo Zulu made his way into the ring at 2/7 (-340) with oddsmakers.