Worlds collide when the stars of Bellator and RIZIN face off against one another on December 31.
Inside Japan's Saitama Super Arena, the partnership with Bellator and RIZIN continues via some friendly competition. Bellator’s champions and top stars face off against their counterparts at RIZIN. Who will walk out of the ring with the ultimate bragging rights?
The Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN event coincides with RIZIN 40. Who are the fighters that will be competing on the main card of Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN? Here is all you need to know, including the bios of the fighters.
MORE: All you need to know about Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN
Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN fight card
Patricio Freire vs. Kleber Koike Erbst
Patricio “Pitbull” Freire made his pro debut in 2004. A mainstay with Bellator since 2010, "Pitbull" is 22-5 with the promotion. A three-time featherweight and one-time lightweight champion, Freire beat A.J. McKee in a rematch in April to regain the featherweight title McKee took from him.
Freire’s last fight was a win in October against Adam Borics.
“When I was a child, I was watching ‘Minotauro’ Nogueira, Wanderlei Silva, ‘Shogun.’ I had that dream: I want to fight there in Japan. So, today its happened. I’m very happy to be here. I’m going to represent my country, but I love this country,” Freire stated.
Making his pro debut in 2008, Kleber Koike Erbst is a former KSW featherweight champion. Joining RIZIN in 2020, he is 6-0 for the promotion. In October, Erbst beat Juntarou Ushiku for the RIZIN featherweight title.
“Thank you very much for this opportunity. Thank you BELLATOR for giving me the chance to fight such a performance. I’m a little nervous right now, but I will promise to put on a good fight and not disappoint you all. I’ll do everything I can to put on a good fight. RIZIN fans, I appreciate your support,” said Erbst.
MORE: UFC betting scandal, explained
A.J. McKee vs. Roberto de Souza
The son of fighter Antonio McKee, A.J. is a homegrown Bellator star. Making his pro debut in 2015, McKee is 19-1 with the promotion. He beat Freire in the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix finals to win the Bellator featherweight title. After losing to Freire in the rematch, McKee moved to the lightweight division. In October, he beat Spike Carlyle via unanimous decision.
"Thank you, Japan, for welcoming me. Thanks to Scott Coker for bringing me as the A-side. Thank you to RIZIN; thank you to the fans. Since I was a kid watching K-1, GLORY, it was always a childhood dream to come here and fight,” said McKee. “Being here now, in this moment, it’s phenomenal. I’m looking forward to going out there, giving the fans what they’re looking forward to: a great show, action-packed.”
MORE: MMA Schedule 2023
de Souza made his pro debut in 2013. Joining RIZIN in 2019, de Souza is currently on a five-fight win streak. Winning four of his last five via submission, de Souza last fought in April, beating Johnny Case.
“Everybody here probably knows that I’ve wanted to face a BELLATOR fighter, and now I’m getting this opportunity. I am extremely happy about this opportunity, and I will promise I will fight for Japan and fight for RIZIN. I appreciate everybody’s support; thank you very much,” de Souza stated.
Juan Archuleta vs. Soo Chul Kim
Archuleta made his pro debut in 2013. A King of the Cage featherweight, lightweight, and light welterweight champion, Archuleta joined Bellator in 2018. In 2020, he beat Patchy Mix to become the Bellator bantamweight champion but lost it in 2021 against Sergio Pettis. After losing against Raufeon Stots in a tournament for the interim bantamweight title, Archuleta rebounded in October with a win over Enrique Barzola.
“Since I was a kid, I’ve always been fascinated with martial arts. It’s been in my blood,” Archuleta stated. "I’m here to represent traditional martial arts. I’m here to give back to the Japanese martial arts and put on a show with this man right here. All of you guys are going to be in awe of the performance we put on. I said, ‘One day, I’m going to do that in Japan.’ And here I am today.”
Kim made his pro debut in 2010. Competing for Road FC and ONE, Kim fought for RIZIN in 2015, beating Maike Linhares Galvao Amorim. On a two-fight win streak, Kim returned to RIZIN in September, beating Hirmasa Ougikubo. He is currently the Road FC featherweight champion.
“I’m very honored to be able to represent RIZIN. Thank you, Sakakibara, thank you Scott Coker. I am extremely excited to represent RIZIN, and I will fight hard. In my previous fight in RIZIN, my wife promised that she would buy me a Nintendo Switch if I won. I won the fight, and she did not buy it. So, this time I would like to secure the win for sure and get my Nintendo Switch from my wife,” Kim stated.
MORE: What is the Power Slap League?
Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Hiromasa Ougikubo
Horiguchi, representing Bellator, is one of the most highly-respected Japanese MMA fighters. Making his pro debut in 2010, Horiguchi is a former Shooto bantamweight champion. The former UFC contender lost to Demetrious Johnson for the UFC flyweight title in 2015. Following that, he went on a 13-fight win streak, winning the 2017 RIZIN Bantamweight Grand Prix and becoming the first RIZIN bantamweight champion in 2018 against Bellator's Darrion Caldwell.
In 2019, Horiguchi beat Caldwell to win the Bellator bantamweight title. He had to vacate the belt due to an injury. Since that fight, Horiguchi has gone 2-3. In 2021, he lost to Sergio Pettis for the Bellator bantamweight title following a last-second spinning backfist. After losing against Patchy Pix in the Bantamweight Grand Prix quarter-finals, Horiguchi rebounded in RIZN with a submission win over Yuto Hokamura in September.
MORE: What's next for Cain Velasquez after he was granted bail?
“I feel like I’ve betrayed the RIZIN fans, and I’m very sorry for that, but I stand here today on the BELLATOR side,” Horiguchi stated. “My opponent will be Hiromasa Ougikubo. This is going to be our third fight, and I’ll make sure he’ll never want to fight me ever again,”
Making his pro debut in 2006, Ougikubo started with Shooto. A Shooto featherweight and bantamweight champion, Ougikubo joined RIZIN in 2018. He is 7-2 with the promotion. Ougikubo beat Kai Asakura in the finals of the RIZIN Bantamweight Grand Prix in 2021. His last fight was a loss against Soo Chul Kim in September.
Ougikubo is 0-2 against Horiguchi. Horiguchi beat him in 2013 to win the Shooto featherweight title, and he beat him in Ougikubo’s RIZIN debut.
“I admit I respect what Horiguchi has done; he’s fought tough opponents and he’s had significant accomplishments. However, I’ve fought him twice, and he’s hit me so many times that I hate his guts. I need to repay my debt in this next fight, and I will promise that I will return all that favor to him, Ougikubo stated.
Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Koji Takeda
Rabadanov made his pro debut in 2013. After competing in Gorilla and Eagle Fighting Championship, Rabadanov joined Bellator in 2021. 3-0 with the promotion, Rabadanov's last fight was a win over Bobby King in July.
“It is a childhood dream come true to fight in Japan at the legendary Saitama Super Arena,” said Rabadanov. “I’m very excited and I know I have a tough opponent, who always leaves everything in the ring. Expect a masterpiece from me, it will be a memorable fight.”
Takeda made his pro debut in 2017. A DEEP lightweight champion, Takeda is 5-3 under the RIZIN banner. On a two-fight win streak, Takeda last fought in October, beating Zach Zane via submission.
MORE: Fightin' Words , Ep. 26: Should Canelo and Adesanya slow down?
When is Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN?
- Date: Saturday, December 31 | January 1
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET | 1 a.m. GMT | 12 p.m. AEDT | 10 a.m. JST
Bellator and RIZIN will be teaming up on New Year’s Eve. The event begins around 8 p.m. ET | 1 a.m. GMT | 12 p.m. AEDT | 10 a.m. JST.
How to watch Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN
| Country | Date | Channel + Live Stream (main card) |
| United States/Canada | Sat. December 31 | Showtime |
| United Kingdom | Sun. January 1 | BBC Sport, BBC iPlayer, FITE.tv |
| Australia | Sun. January 1 | FITE.tv |
| Japan | Sun. January 1 | RIZIN STREAM PASS, ABEMA, U-NEXT, SKY PerfecTV! |
Fight fans can watch the event on SHOWTIME.
Viewers can stream Showtime via Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, Xbox ONE, a laptop, or any mobile or tablet device.
In Japan, the fight card will be available on RIZIN STREAM PASS, ABEMA, U-NEXT, and SKY PerfecTV!
