Rizin FC, the new Japanese promotion from the former owner of PRIDE, has announced the brackets for it’s forthcoming eight-man heavyweight Grand-Prix at the Saitama Super Arena which commences on December 29th and concludes with the semi-finals and final two days later on New Years Eve.
Today’s announcement includes the unveiling of Olympic judo gold medalist Satoshi Ishii as one of the competitors and he’ll be taking on Jiri Prochazka in the opening round.
The other high profile fighter scheduled to fight in the Grand-Prix is Bellator’s Muhammed Lawal, though his opponent is still to be confirmed and is believed to be someone from UK promotion BAMMA’s heavyweight roster.
Former UFC fighter Goran Reljic has been plying his trade in Polish organization KSW for the past few years and now heads to Japan where he’ll take on Vadim Nemkov.
The other tournament bout sees Lithuanian light-heavyweight Teodoras Aukstolos (11-2) squaring up to Brazil’s Bruno Cappelozza who’s a Jungle Fights veteran.
In addition to that, the reserve bout will feature Valentin Moldavsky taking on Yuta Uchida.
Opening Round:
Satoshi Ishii Vs Jiri Prochazka
Teodoras Aukstolos vs. Bruno Cappelozza
Goran Reljic vs. Vadim Nemkov
Muhammed Lawal vs tbc
Reserve Bout:
Valentin Moldavsky Vs Yuta Uchida
