Rizin Fighting Federation Announces Lightweight Grand Prix Participants

All participants confirmed!

RIZIN FIGHTING WORLD GP 2019
LIGHT WEIGHT TOURNAMENT

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・Johnny Case
・Tatsuya Kawajiri
・Roberto Satoshi Souza
・Hiroto Uesako
・Luiz Gustavo
・Damien Brown
・Patricky "Pitbull" Freire
・Tofiq Musayev

https://t.co/VYvwCQXU37 pic.twitter.com/w24meq6XMB

— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) September 11, 2019

Rizin Fighting Federation is hosting a lightweight grand prix and the promotion announced eight participants on Wednesday. The tournament kicks off on Oct. 12 at Rizin FF 19.

The participants include Bellator MMA lightweight, Patricky Freire, Johnny Case, Luis Gustavo Santos, Damien Brown, Tofiq Musaev, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Roberto de Souza and Hiroto Uesako. A draw to determine the bracket is set for next week.

The most notable name announced for the tournament is arguably Freire. “Pitbull” is a former Bellator title challenger and is currently riding a five-fight winning streak dating back to 2017. He is part of the ongoing cross-promotion between Rizin and Bellator. The grand prix also includes Ultimate Fighting Championship veterans Case, Brown and Kawajiri.

The promotion also revealed that light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka will take on Fabio Maldonado at Rizin FF 19 in a “super fight.”