The relationship between Bellator MMA & Rizin Fighting Federation is being taken to another level to close out 2022.
Rizin FF has followed in the footsteps of its predecessor Pride FC by having a New Years Event at the Saitama Super Arena each year of their existence. While Bellator & Rizin have had a working relationship since 2018 this will be the first time the two will put there big guns head to head.
The details have not been fully revealed yet, but more is expected to be announced at a press conference on Thursday. On the Bellator side the promotion will be sending Featherweight champion Patricio “Pitull” Freire, former champions A.J. McKee, Juan Archuleta, & Kyjoi Horiguchi to compete inside the Rizin ring.
Pitbull (33-5) is a three-time Bellator Featherweight and one-time Lightweight champion. The Brazilian dynamo has won consecutive bouts by decision coming off a successful title defense over Adam Borics. Archuleta (25-4) is a former Bantamwieght champion with wins in three of his last five fights. McKee (18-1) a former Featherweight champion is coming off winning a fan friendly affair by decision over Spike Carlyle in his Lightweight debut. Japan’s Horiguchi (29-5) has held both promotions Bantamweight title belts. While he’s coming off a submission win at Rizin 38 from September, Horiguchi will be representing Bellator in this inter promotional battle according to the Bellator press release.
