Bellator has released the official details for Bellator x RIZIN 2.
On December 31, 2022, Bellator and RIZIN joined forces to show the benefits of MMA promotions working together. The event featured five bouts, with the Bellator fighters winning every matchup against the RIZIN representatives.
Seven months later, they will return to the Saitama Super Arena in Japan for Bellator x RIZIN 2. The Scott Coker-run promotion made the announcement on Instagram by saying:
“ President @ScottCoker announces that Bellator will join forces with @rizin_English for another . @ajmckee101 faces @PatrickyPitbull in the final #BellatorLWGP quarterfinal & @kyoji1012 takes on @makoto0705mma for the inaugural flyweight world championship! #BellatorxRizin2 | Sun, July 30 | Saitama Super Arena”
In the main event, Bellator will continue their Lightweight Grand Prix quarterfinals as AJ McKee Jr. takes on Patricky Pitbull. McKee’s last fight was at the first cross-promotion event, where he defeated Roberto de Souza by unanimous decision. Meanwhile, Pitbull is coming off a title fight loss against Usman Nurmagomedov in November 2022.
The co-main event features a historic moment as Bellator will introduce their new flyweight division with an inaugural title fight.
Former bantamweight world champion Kyoji Horiguchi looks to further his legacy by becoming the first Bellator flyweight champion. He last fought in December 2022, defeating Hiromasa Ougikubo at Bellator x RIZIN 1. Horiguchi has been matched up against Makoto Shinryu, a RIZIN fighter riding a ten-fight win streak.
Check out the official Bellator x RIZIN 2 announcement below:
Who else is fighting at Bellator x RIZIN 2?
There is only one other bout currently announced for Bellator x RIZIN 2. In the women’s flyweight division, Kana Watanabe will take on Veta Arteaga. Watanabe last fought on April 22, losing a close split decision against Ilima-Lei Macfarlane.
She looks to bounce back by taking out Arteaga, who lost against Sumiko Inaba on the same night as her upcoming opponent. With two months before the supershow, there is plenty of time for more matchups to be added.
It’ll be intriguing to see how many more Bellator vs. RIZIN fights are added, considering Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Makoto Shinryu is the only one that has been announced.
