RIZIN’s return to Tokyo Dome will include the first round of a heavyweight grand prix, the debut of Bellator veteran Danny Sabatello, and the return of former UFC title contender John Dodson.
The Japanese promotion revealed Wednesday the first six names that will be featured on the 8-men heavyweight tournament on May 4: Tsuyoshi Sudario, Shoma Shibisai, Mikio Ueda, Jose Augusto, Aleksandr Soldatkin and Marek Samociuk. The company has yet to reveal the final two athletes and the brackets.
The event, titled RIZIN Otoko Matsuri, will mark the first promotional appearance of Sabatello, taking on Shinobu Ota, while Dodson rematches Takaki Soya almost a year after winning a decision over him in a bare-knuckle boxing match in Japan.
“I want you all to know how excited I am to finally fight in Japan,” Sabatello stated in a release. “It’s been a dream of mine for years. But don’t get it twisted — I’m not here just to beat people up. I’m here to become the RIZIN bantamweight world champion, and I’ll do it in the most entertaining way possible. RIZIN rules are the best in the world — they make fights exciting. And for me, that means I get to smash skulls with knees.
“Every one of my fights is exciting. I don’t just break people mentally — I crush them physically. My first target is Shinobu Ota. I’m going to break his will and destroy him completely. Years ago, I said I’d come to Japan and knock him out. Time to make good on that promise. Get ready, Japan. And Shinobu — brace yourself.”
Check the current RIZIN Otoko Matsuri lineup below.
- Danny Sabatello vs. Shinobu Ota
- John Dodson vs. Takaki Soya
- Erson Yamamoto vs. Daichi Tomizawa
- Joe Hiramoto vs. Toki Tamaru
- Heavyweight Grand Prix: Tsuyoshi Sudario, Shoma Shibisai, Mikio Ueda, Jose Augusto, Aleksandr Soldatkin and Marek Samociuk
Shoma has been way too back and forth but is very fun.
Tall ass Jap Heavyweight it’s rare, so it’s been interesting.
Yet when a 50 year old midget in Hideki SHREK beats your ass it’s not a good look…
Shrek is a warrior, a cop, a great grappler but he’s a midget the size of a barrel.
Shoma is Schilt compared too him and way younger, yet SHREKKKKK mauled him lolllll
dUde U Insane
Why have I heard that so many times in my life thus far?? Lollll
Can’t wait to see Sabatello’s debut! John Dodson is always fun to watch and he’s been exciting as fuck in Rizin and BKFC!
Also, nothing better than a fucking Heavyweight Grand Prix! Rizin delivering again as always!
Bro Shrek is insane fucking up these young guys!
RIZIN: Otoko Matsuri will also see the return of former UFC flyweight title challenger John Dodson. ‘The Magician’ famously headed to Japan not long after parting ways with Dana White, and he quickly found success. Dodson last appeared in the ring in July, handing Takashi Soya a unanimous decision loss under bare-knuckle boxing rules. In May, the two will run it back under MMA rules.
As of now, RIZIN’s return to the Tokyo Dome in May still lacks a lot of matchups. However, here’s how the card stands as of now:
- Danny Sabatello vs. Shinobu Ota
- John Dodson vs. Takaki Soya
- Erson Yamamoto vs. Daichi Tomizawa
- Joe Hiramoto vs. Toki Tamaru
- Heavyweight Grand Prix: Tsuyoshi Sudario, Shoma Shibasi, Mikio Ueda, Jose Augusto, Aleksandr Soldatkin, Marek Samociuk
RIZIN will hold two cards in May with the start of the heavyweight grand prix and championships being defended.
On May 4, featherweight king Kleber Koike puts his title on the line in the main event of RIZIN Otokomatsuri in Tokyo versus Razhabali Shaydullaev. Koike reclaimed the gold with a decision over Chihiro Suzuki in December, while Shaydullaev enters the ring with a pro record of 12-0.
RIZIN Otokomatsuri also features a highly anticipated lightweight match between Japanese stars Chihiro Suzuki and Mikuru Asakura and the first round of the heavyweight grand prix.
Former sumo wrestler Tsuyoshi Sudario debuts in the tournament against Bellator veteran Jose Augusto, with ex-KSW heavyweight Marek Samociuk former Bellator and PFL fighter Daniel James. The other grand prix quarterfinal matches are Islambek Baktybek Uulu vs. Alexander Soldatkin and Mikio Ueda vs. Shoma Shibisai.
Three weeks later, RIZIN lands in South Korea for an event with 155-pound champion Roberto Satoshi defending his throne against former Road to UFC participant Won Bi Kim on May 31. UFC veteran and RIZIN color commentator Johnny Case returns to action to face Juri Ohara.
Check the complete lineups below.
RIZIN Otokomatsuri — May 4 in Tokyo, Japan
- Kleber Koike vs. Razhabali Shaydullaev
- Hiroya Kondo vs. Tatsuki Shinotsuka
- Chihiro Suzuki vs. Mikuru Asakura
- Kyohei Hagiwara vs. Taisei Nishitani
- Makoto Shinryu vs. Yuki Ito
- Ryo Takagi vs. Kyoma Akimoto
- Daisuke Nakamura vs. Taisei Sakuraba
- Danny Sabatello vs. Shinobu Ota
- John Dodson vs. Takaki Soya
- Erson Yamamoto vs. Daichi Tomizawa
- Joe Hiramoto vs. Toki Tamaru
- Taio Asahisa vs. Yoshiya Uzatsuyo — kickboxing
- Tsuyoshi Sudario vs. Jose Augusto
- Marek Samociuk vs. Daniel James
- Islambek Baktybek Uulu vs. Alexander Soldatkin
- Mikio Ueda vs. Shoma Shibisai.
- Takao Ueda vs. Vinicius Silveira
- Daichi Akahira vs. Futa Hashimoto
RIZIN in Korea — May 31 in Seoul, South Korea
- Roberto Satoshi vs. Won Bin Ki
- Juri Ohara vs. Johnny Case
- Soo Chul Kim vs. Shoko Sato
- Hyuk Min Ji vs. Koji Takeda
- Ji Yong Yang vs. Kintaro
- Young Jae Song vs. Yoshiki Nakahara
- Yu Ri Shim vs. Kate Lotus
- Si Won Kim vs. Sho Patrick Usami
- Sang Hae Jo vs. Hide Meison Usami — kickboxing
- Yong Cheol Kwon vs. Kota Miura
- Beom Jun Kang vs. Seiya Inoue — kickboxing
In an ideal world that GP would be Ngannou fucking murdering cans.
I was saying a while ago RIZIN needs to go full Pride and start investing in bigger fighters. LHW’s and HW’s.
Bring in some ex Bellator/UFC guys for name value
I was tape watching some of his fights thé other day because one of his past opponents was fighting Polo King.
Shrek is actually a solid grappler and strong as fuck.