''Bellator MMA vs. Rizin FF'' and ''Rizin 40'' (also known as '' Bellator MMA x Rizin 1'') was a
mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting combat sport, sport based on strike (attack), striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world.
In the early 20th century, various inter-s ...
event being co-promoted by
Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) was an American mixed martial arts promotion (entertainment), promotion founded in 2008 by Bjorn Rebney and operated until 2025. The promotion takes its name from ''wikt:bellator, bellātor ...
and the
Rizin Fighting Federation
Rizin Fighting Federation (stylised in all caps and also known as Rizin FF) is a Japanese mixed martial arts organization created in 2015 by the former Pride Fighting Championships and Dream Stage Entertainment president Nobuyuki Sakakibara.
...
that took place on December 31, 2022, at the
Saitama Super Arena
is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Chūō-ku, Saitama, Chūō-ku, Saitama (city), Saitama, Saitama Prefecture, Japan. It opened preliminarily on May 5, 2000, and then was officially opened on September 1 of the same year. Its maximum capa ...
in
Saitama, Japan.
Background
The main card saw fighters from each promotion fight each other, with the Bellator representatives including a current champion and three former champions:
Patrício Pitbull
Patrício Andre de Sousa Freire (born July 7, 1987), known professionally as Patrício Pitbull, is a Brazilian professional mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Champi ...
,
A. J. McKee,
Juan Archuleta
Juan Archuleta (born September 13, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the bantamweight divisions of Bellator MMA and Rizin Fighting Federation, where in the latter promotion, he is the former Rizin Bantamweight Champion. ...
and
Kyoji Horiguchi. Matches were contested under Rizin's ruleset, which differs from Bellator's usual
Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts
Most rule sets for mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions have evolved since the early days of Vale Tudo. As a result of health, legal, and moral concerns, many different rulesets were created, which give different countries and promotions very dif ...
.
The main card aired tape delayed in the U.S. on
Showtime, Bellator's regular broadcast partner.
Results
See also
*
2022 in Bellator MMA
*
2022 in Rizin Fighting Federation
The year 2022 was the eighth year in the history of the Rizin Fighting Federation, a mixed martial arts promotion based in Japan.
Rizin events were broadcast through a television agreement with Fuji Television. However, due to several controvers ...
*
List of Bellator MMA events
This is a list of events held and scheduled by Bellator MMA (formerly known as "Bellator Fighting Championships"), a mixed martial arts organization based in the United States. The first event, Bellator 1, took place on April 3, 2009. Upcoming ev ...
References
External links
Bellator MMA vs. Rizin- Bellator Sport Worldwide
Rizin 40- Rizin Fighting Federation
{{2022 in mixed martial arts
Bellator MMA events
Rizin Fighting Federation
Sport in Saitama (city)
2022 in mixed martial arts
2022 in Japanese sport
Mixed martial arts in Japan
Sports competitions in Japan
December 2022 sports events in Japan