RIZIN FF News
RIZIN's Nobuyuki Sakakibara open to PFL co-promotion after Bellator sale: "Doors always open"
Josh Evanoff - December 28, 2023
RIZIN President Nobuyuki Sakakibara is open to working with PFL and Donn Davis, but it will take some time. The annual New Year’s event for RIZIN is slated for this weekend. Headlined by Kyoji Horiguchi’s rematch against Makoto Takahashi, the card also features high-profile names such as Juan Archuleta, Kai Asakura, John Dodson, and more. While a fun event, this year’s event will look radically different than last year’s.
RIZIN's Nobuyuki Sakakibara confirms talks with Anderson Silva for retirement bout: "We're always open"
Josh Evanoff - December 22, 2023
RIZIN executive Nobuyuki Sakakibara is down to welcome Anderson Silva to the ring in the future. ‘The Spider’ has been out of action since he clashed with Jake Paul well over a year ago. Facing off in the main event of a Showtime pay-per-view, Anderson Silva suffered a unanimous decision loss. ‘The Spider’ made a great account of himself in the bout, but an eighth-round knockdown from Paul sealed the defeat.
Gabi Garcia announces return to MMA after five-year hiatus: "I am the one who holds the crown"
Josh Evanoff - February 8, 2023
Former jiu-jitsu world champion Gabi Garcia is targeting a return to the cage. The 37-year-old had a lot of interest when she made her MMA debut back in 2015. A multiple-time jiu-jitsu champion, Garcia quickly signed to RIZIN. Given her stature at 6’2″ and 209 pounds, there weren’t many destinations for her to sign otherwise.
Report | Manny Pacquiao set to take on Kota Ibushi in Japan
Susan Cox - February 3, 2023
Manny Pacquiao is set to take on Kota Ibushi in Japan. Yes, a recent report from Tokyo Sports indicates that the Boxing Hall of Famer, Pacquiao is set to match up with Kota Ibushi in his debut with the Japanese MMA promotion RIZIN.
A.J. McKee reveals the samurai warrior armor he wore during Bellator vs. RIZIN event cost six-figures
Josh Evanoff - January 3, 2023
Bellator lightweight contender A.J. McKee had quite the night in Japan last Saturday. Over the weekend, Bellator and RIZIN held their first co-promotional event. While the two promotions have had a talent-sharing program for years, Saturday was their first event featuring both brands. Names such as Patricio Pitbull and Kyoji Horiguchi fought on the card against RIZIN’s competitors.
VIDEO | Johnny Case has hilarious weigh-in with naked Nobumitsu Osawa for Bellator vs. RIZIN event
Josh Evanoff - December 30, 2022
The Bellator vs. RIZIN weigh-in show had a hilarious moment earlier today. The two organizations are slated to put on a co-promoted event tomorrow night in Japan. The card is set to feature some of the biggest stars from Bellator, such as Patricio Pitbull and A.J. McKee. In return, RIZIN will send their best, in the form of champions such as Roberto de Souza to compete against them.
Photo | Incredible Samurai poster revealed for Bellator vs. RIZIN New Year's Eve event
Josh Evanoff - October 26, 2022
Bellator and RIZIN are going all out for their New Year’s Eve event in Japan. The two promotions have had a partnership since 2015. For the most part, that partnership has just led to fighters crossing over between promotions. For example, Bellator lent future champion, Patricky Pitbull, to RIZIN for their 2019 lightweight Grand Prix.
Bellator vs. Rizin event slated for New Year's Eve in Japan
Harry Kettle - October 25, 2022
Bellator MMA have announced another crossover event with Rizin, which is set to take place on New Year’s Eve. Over the course of the last few years, Bellator has made an effort to branch out and work with a series of different promotions. While it’s unlikely they’ll be able to strike any kind of cross-promotional deal with the UFC, there are certainly other companies that are more than willing to partake.
Floyd Mayweather not worried ahead of return to RIZIN against Mikuru Asakura: "I'm special"
Josh Evanoff - June 16, 2022
Undefeated professional boxer Floyd Mayweather isn’t stressing ahead of his return against Mikuru Asakura. ‘Money’ retired from the sport of boxing following a 2017 knockout of Conor McGregor. Sitting at 50-0 in his professional career, Mayweather has cemented his place as one of the greatest to ever put on the gloves. However, while he’s retired from pro contests, he’s not retired from exhibitions.
Floyd Mayweather set to return to RIZIN FF, faces Mikuru Asakura
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2022
Floyd Mayweather will be returning to Japan to fight for RIZIN FF. Mayweather who fought kickboxing phenom Tenshin Nasukawa and knocked him out under the RIZIN FF banner in December of 2019, has struck another deal with the promotion. RIZIN FF announced that Mayweather will take on MMA fighter Mikuru Asakura in an exhibition boxing match in September.
Pros react after Sergio Pettis sleeps Kyoji Horiguchi with spinning backfist
Chris Taylor - December 3, 2021
Tonight’s Bellator 272 event was headlined by a highly anticipated title fight featuring Sergio Pettis taking on Kyoji Horiguchi. Pettis (21-5 MMA) was looking to earn his first career title defense when he took on former champion Horiguchi (29-3 MMA) this evening.
Kyoji Horiguchi doesn't see Sergio Pettis as 'real champion' ahead of Bellator 272 title clash
Drake Riggs - November 24, 2021
Kyoji Horiguchi is a man on a mission. The current RIZIN FF 135-pound bantamweight king recaptured the title he never officially lost on New Year’s Eve 2020 and hasn’t fought since. Now, Horiguchi has signed with Bellator in a rare deal that sees him remain the RIZIN champ and seeks the other title he relinquished when sidelined in all of 2020 recovering from an ACL tear.