Bellator and Rizin FF to hold ‘historic’ event on Dec. 29 in Japan, Fedor vs Rampage headlines

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TheEmperorRises

Right click hospital, left click cemetery
Dec 4, 2015
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An “emergency” press conference set for Wednesday in Tokyo is expected to announce Bellator’s debut in Japan.

Rizin FF CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara broke the news of the gathering on Monday, touting a “historical” cross-promotional event between the Japanese promotion and its American counterpart on Dec. 29 at a location to be announced.

Sakakibara will, of course, be in attendance at the presser, as will former Pride heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko and Bellator president Scott Coker.


View: https://www.instagram.com/p/B3UKc-BnhiI/?igshid=mlpgwz5q5ruz


A Rizin FF official confirmed Sakakibara’s announcement to MMA Fighting. Coker could not immediately be reached for comment. The Bellator executive has long teased a trip overseas to the promotional home of its partner, with whom it shares talent.

Over the summer, Coker said the promotion was working on a major show with Rizin and teased the possibility of a heavyweight fight between Emelianenko and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, both of whom who once served under Sakikibara in the now-defunct PRIDE FC as major company stars.

Twelve years after Pride folded, Emelianenko and Jackson are now colleagues under the Bellator banner, and Jackson, a former UFC light heavyweight champion, is now firmly committed to the big-man division.

Coker also presented the possibility of rekindling a long-dormant rivalry between Emelianenko and veteran heavyweight Josh Barnett, who recently signed with Bellator. The standouts were set to meet at Affliction: Trilogy in 2009 when a positive drug test scratched Barnett from the card, leading to the promotion’s rapid implosion.

Rizin and Pride are known for promoting blowout events on New Year’s Eve. Emelianenko has been a regular fixture of the year-end shows throughout his decorated career.




Full story here:
Bellator and Rizin FF to hold ‘historic’ event on Dec. 29 in Japan, Fedor on tap
 

kneeblock

Drapetomaniac
Apr 18, 2015
12,435
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Wow I hope Fedor gets a win over someone and retires. Still, this is a cool development.
 

RaginCajun

The Reigning Undisputed Monsters Tournament Champ
Oct 25, 2015
36,970
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I would be more interested in seeing some actual cross promotional fights. Having Bellator fighters fight each other but under a shared banner is not as fun as one promotions best verses another's best.
 

jason73

Yuri Bezmenov was right
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Jan 15, 2015
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I would be more interested in seeing some actual cross promotional fights. Having Bellator fighters fight each other but under a shared banner is not as fun as one promotions best verses another's best.
patricky pitbul is fighting kawajiri this friday at rizin 19
 

sparkuri

Pulse On The Finger Of The Community
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Jan 16, 2015
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I would be more interested in seeing some actual cross promotional fights. Having Bellator fighters fight each other but under a shared banner is not as fun as one promotions best verses another's best.
I think that's what might be happening to a degree with this.
 

TheEmperorRises

Right click hospital, left click cemetery
Dec 4, 2015
7,638
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I would be more interested in seeing some actual cross promotional fights. Having Bellator fighters fight each other but under a shared banner is not as fun as one promotions best verses another's best.
Rumor is that Ryan Bader will be fighting for the Rizin LHW title against their champion, Jiri Prochazka
 

Star-Lord

Saving the Universe one Fight at a Time
Amateur Fighter
Jan 23, 2015
1,331
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Man I'm so conflicted. I feel like if Rampage connects at all this is over. Fedor needs to keep fighting people with pillow fists like Chael. On the other hand, I think Fedor can tool Rampage on the ground. Ughhhhh damn you Coker, stop playing with my feelings.
 

Splinty

Shake 'em off
Admin
Dec 31, 2014
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None of this will really figure out a top dog and I don't care. I'm hyped.
 

jason73

Yuri Bezmenov was right
First 100
Jan 15, 2015
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also kai asakura wrecks any 135ers that bellator has and he competes at 130lbs
 

HEATH VON DOOM

Remember the 5th of November
Oct 21, 2015
17,281
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Fedor vs Page? Did we just time warp back to 2002? Another case of bellator being bellator.
 

MMAHAWK

Real Gs come from California.America Muthafucker
Feb 5, 2015
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Trying to figure out if I can make this trip happen


 

sparkuri

Pulse On The Finger Of The Community
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I've grown very fond of Rizin's music, it now = JMMA to me.
Of course, they knew they'd hook everyone by playing it during intermissions.
I've now listened to slightly more of that, time-wise, than actual Rizin combat.
 

jason73

Yuri Bezmenov was right
First 100
Jan 15, 2015
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I've grown very fond of Rizin's music, it now = JMMA to me.
Of course, they knew they'd hook everyone by playing it during intermissions.
I've now listened to slightly more of that, time-wise, than actual Rizin combat.
aint that the truth. rizin ff did a AMA on r/mma a couple years ago. people geve them the gears about the intermission being so long and late for north america and told them that was were they lose fans. they said they were listening and would consider their options to do something about that.i was hoping they would go to a panel,talk about the fights or fights coming up. instead they just played the music on a loop and showed uncommentated highlights . even the addition of a countdown timer for the intermission length would be an improvement
 

Haulport

Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes
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aint that the truth. rizin ff did a AMA on r/mma a couple years ago. people geve them the gears about the intermission being so long and late for north america and told them that was were they lose fans. they said they were listening and would consider their options to do something about that.i was hoping they would go to a panel,talk about the fights or fights coming up. instead they just played the music on a loop and showed uncommentated highlights . even the addition of a countdown timer for the intermission length would be an improvement
I think plenty of NA fans (like me) would be fine with an edited ppv broadcast after the fact like Pride. I know plenty still want to see it live but I think a majority and incremental fans would prefer that. But they don't seem interested in the NA audience, unlike PRIDE...
 

jason73

Yuri Bezmenov was right
First 100
Jan 15, 2015
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I think plenty of NA fans (like me) would be fine with an edited ppv broadcast after the fact like Pride. I know plenty still want to see it live but I think a majority and incremental fans would prefer that. But they don't seem interested in the NA audience, unlike PRIDE...
if you pay for it thru fite.tv you get free lifetime replays
 

sparkuri

Pulse On The Finger Of The Community
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I think plenty of NA fans (like me) would be fine with an edited ppv broadcast after the fact like Pride. I know plenty still want to see it live but I think a majority and incremental fans would prefer that. But they don't seem interested in the NA audience, unlike PRIDE...
Like jason73 @jason73 said, just buy it and play it at whatever time works best for you.