It’s guaranteed fireworks when you pair up a Japanese MMA icon against a top five Featherweight fighter in the Asian region.

The Asian MMA scene was rekindled with massive joy and anticipation when the announcement of Takeshi Inoue (21-8) vs. Rob Lisita (12-5) was disclosed as the headliner for Singapore-based Rebel Fighting Championship’s inaugural event. Rebel FC is the latest Mixed Martial Arts organization to hit the blocks, with the promotion staging its first event, titled “Into the Lion’s Den”, near the turn of the year on December 21, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Rebel FC 1 Sneak Peek: Takeshi Inoue vs Rob Lisita

Takeshi-Lisita will be part of a main card that also comprises of a Lightweight bout between native prospect Syafiq Samad (2-0) and PXC vet Gyo Pyung Hwang (3-3),and Doo Hwan Kim (4-1) vs. Cristiano Kaminishi (8-1, 2 NC) at 205-lbs.

Seven amateur match-ups will make up the rest of the line-up.

But the limelight will be glistened at the featured bout of the evening, as a pair of Featherweights look to impress the Singaporean audience come fight night. Takeshi Inoue, commonly referred to as “Lion Takeshi”, is a two-time Shooto Lightweight champ, who has prominently featured in Japanese promotions like DREAM, Shooto and Vale Tudo Japan. An MMA icon who once voted as MMAFighting.com‘s 145-lbs fighter of the year, “Lion Takeshi” brings a no nonsense resume to his promotional Rebel FC debut, having had bouts with the likes of Hatsu Hioki, Cole Miller and Caol Uno among others. In fact, this contest with Lisita will be the 33-year-old’s first fight outside of his native homeland, so it’ll be interesting to see how Inoue fares on foreign soil.

Facing a guy like Rob Lisita, however, will be no easy task by any standards. The Australian is brimming with confidence having won two bouts on the trot, and with the backing of Phuket Top Team, one of Asia’s premier MMA training camps, there’s no reason whatsoever why the 30-year-old should be seen as an underdog heading into this one. Despite winning his first couple of fights via decision and submission, Lisita most recently showcased his striking skills with back-to-back TKO stoppage victories. A former CFC and Legend FC vet, “Ruthless” is the perfect nickname for Rob Lisita. It goes without saying that his submission game is top class and his punches pack serious heat as he looks to stop his Japanese counterpart in Singapore on December 21.

As it stands, check out Rebel FC 1′s line-up below, along with an exclusive preview and sneak peek for Rob Lisita vs. Takeshi Inoue: