Rizin is bringing back their heavyweight Grand Prix after almost 10 years. At a press conference Wednesday, the participants for the first round of the tournament were announced.
Matches will be announced at a later time. The first-round matches are expected to start at Rizin’s May 4 Tokyo Dome show, Rizin Otoko Matsuri. The semi-finals are expected to be held this summer and the finals in the fall.
Its winner will receive 20 million yen and the runner-up will receive 5 million yen. The winner will also compete for the heavyweight belt in a championship match at this year’s New Year’s Eve tournament.
Announced Participants for the RIZIN Heavyweight GP
The participants for the Grand Prix announced so far are:
RIZIN Heavyweight Grand Prix: Alexander Soldatkin
Soldatkin is a fighter from Russia, but fights out of Germany. He is 15-4 and fought once on “Dana White’s Contender Series.”
He was disqualified for an illegal knee. “This is a huge opportunity to prove myself and perform in front of Japanese fans. I’m prepared to fight aggressively and push forward every second,” Soldatkin said. “I’ll show the beauty of striking and movement in martial arts. I’m honored to fight in the homeland of RIZIN, and I’ll repay the faith with a thrilling performance.”
RIZIN Heavyweight Grand Prix: Marek Smociuk
Representing KSW, Smociuk is a Polish fighter with a record of 7-4. He has also fought for the bare-knuckle promotion Wotore. “I’m proud to represent KSW and Poland in this Grand Prix. I want to show the world how strong KSW is and make my country proud,” Smociuk said. “I’m a fighter who never backs down. No matter the opponent, I fight with unbreakable spirit. I started martial arts because of Mirko Cro Cop. Now, it’s my turn to stand on the same historic stage. I promise to put on an
amazing performance.”
RIZIN Heavyweight Grand Prix: Jose Augusto
A Brazilian fighter with a record 10-4, 1 NC, he trains out of the famed Pitbull Brothers Academy. He has fought in Bellator and LFA, going 2-2 and 2-0, respectively. “I’m undefeated as a heavyweight and finally fighting in the birthplace of martial
arts — Japan,” he said. “I’ve been a fan of Japanese culture for years, and I’m excited to meet the fans. I promise you’ll love my fights, so please come watch me live.”
Tsuyoshi Sudario
A former sumo, Sudario is 9-3 and has only fought in Rizin in his career. He has wins over former UFC fighter Roque Martinez, MMA legend Minowaman, and Hideki “Shrek” Sekine. ” I’m looking forward to fighting the three Japanese fighters,” Sudario said. “I lost to Shibisai at the Tokyo Dome four years ago, and I lost to Ueda the year before last, so I’m very motivated because I want to get revenge.”
Mikio Ueda:
Fighting out of Japan, Ueda is a Kyokushin karate champion who has amassed a 4-2 record. All of his wins have been by KO/TKO, and he has yet to see the third round. He holds a win over Sudario. “I want to win as the ace representing Japan,” Ueda said.
Shoma Shibisai
Maybe the best heavyweight fighter in Japan, Shibisai is 10-3, with all his wins coming by submission or KO/TKO. He holds a win over Sudario. Shibisai said even though he has trained with Ueda and Sudario, he won’t hold back. ” I will fight with a steely heart because I am a fighter.”
Two more participants are to be announced at a later time.
The last time Rizin held a heavyweight Grand Prix was at the promotion’s first two shows in 2015. The finals saw King Mo beat now former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka. That tournament also featured PFL fighter Satoshii Ishii, PFL champion Bruno Cappelozza, and former Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov.
