Masuda vs Higa

Who won Masuda vs Higa?

Riku Masuda beat Daigo Higa by split decision in their 12 round contest on Monday, July 20th, 2026, at Kokugikan, Tokyo.

The scorecards were announced as 117-111, 117-111, 115-113 in favor of winner Riku Masuda.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 12 rounds in the Bantamweight division, which meant the weight limit was 118 pounds (8.4 stone or 53.5 kg).

This contest was for the WBA bantamweight championship of the world.

Masuda's captured the WBA World Bantamweight Championship, winning the belt against in this fight. He had held this belt for 12 days.

Also on the undercard Kenshiro Teraji was victorious over Israel Gonzalez for the WBO World Junior Bantamweight championship, and Shokichi Iwata beat Erick Badillo for the WBC World Light Flyweight belt.

Masuda vs Higa stats

Riku Masuda stepped into the ring with a record of 10 wins, 1 loss, and 0 draws, 9 of those wins coming by way of knockout.

Daigo Higa made his way to the ring with a record of 21 wins, 3 losses and 3 draws, with 19 of those wins by knockout.

The stats suggested that Masuda and Higa have similar power, both with a 90% knockout percentage.

Riku Masuda was the younger man by 2 years, at 28 years old.

Masuda had a height advantage of 3 inches over Higa. That also extended to a 5-inch reach advantage.

Riku Masuda fought out of the southpaw stance, while Daigo Higa was an orthodox fighter.

Masuda was the less experienced professional fighter, having had 16 fewer fights, and made his debut in 2022, 8 years later than Higa, whose first professional fight was in 2014. He had fought 109 fewer professional rounds, totaling 63 compared to Higa's 172.

Riku Masuda went into the fight ranked number 1 by the WBA, and 1 by the WBO at bantamweight.

Daigo Higa was ranked number 2 by the WBA, and 11 by the WBO in the 118lb division.

Masuda vs Higa form

Daigo Higa had stopped 2 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight before this contest, he had drawn with Antonio Vargas on July 30, 2025 in the 12th round in their WBA World Bantamweight championship fight at Yokohama Buntai, Yokohama, Japan.

Prior to that, he had drawn with Seiya Tsutsumi on February 24, 2025 in their 12 round contest at Ariake Arena, Koto-Ku.

Going into that contest, he had been beaten by Yoshiki Takei on September 3, 2024, by unanimous decision in their WBO World Bantamweight championship fight at Ariake Arena, Koto-Ku.

Before that, he had beaten Nawaphon Kaikanha on December 31, 2023, by knockout in the 4th round at Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo.

He had won against Yuki Strong Kobayashi on December 31, 2020, by knockout in the 5th round at Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo.

Activity check

Masuda's last 4 fights had come over a period of 2 years, 10 months and 20 days, which means he had been fighting approximately every 8 months and 20 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 24 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 6 rounds on average.

Higa's last 5 fights had come over a period of 5 years, 6 months and 19 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 1 year, 1 month and 9 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 45 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 9 rounds on average.

What time did Masuda vs Higa start?

The fighters were expected to ringwalk at around 12:00 PM UTC at Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan, which was 8:00 AM EST or 5:00 AM PST on the West Coast of America, or 1:00 PM BST in the UK.

What were the odds on Masuda vs Higa?

Riku Masuda was a 1/7 (-710) favorite going into the contest, while Daigo Higa made his way into the ring at 19/4 (+480) with oddsmakers.