The year ends with a bang as Bellator MMA and the Rizin Fighting Federation get together for the final mixed-martial arts event of 2022.
The two promotions join forces to present Bellator MMA vs. Rizin, which will pit fighters from each company against one another. There are five such fights on the main card, including co-main events A.J. McKee vs. Roberto "Satoshi" de Souza and Patricio Pitbull vs. Kleber Koike Erbst. Satoshi is the current Rizin lightweight champion, and like his opponent he's a submission specialist.
Meanwhile, Patricio Pitbull vs. Kleber Koike Erbst features a pair of champions, with each man holding his respective promotion's featherweight title.
Three other fights round out the card, which is preceded by RIZIN 40.
Here's everything you need to know about Bellator MMA vs. Rizin.
When is Bellator MMA vs. Rizin? Date, start time
- Date: Saturday, December 31
- Main card (live): 6:30 a.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. GMT / 8:30 p.m. JST
The main card is set to get underway at approximately 6:30 a.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. GMT / 8:30 p.m. JST, although the U.S. airing will be shown on a tape-delayed basis at 8 p.m. ET.
What channel/stream is Bellator MMA vs. Rizin?
- U.S.: Showtime (starts at 8 p.m. ET)
- UK: BBC iPlayer
Fans in the U.S. can watch the fight on Showtime (click here for more information), which will be showing the event in its entirety starting at 8 p.m. ET.
Fans in the UK can stream the event on BBC iPlayer.
Where is Bellator MMA vs. Rizin?
The event is set to take place at the Saitama Super Arena in Chūō-ku, Saitama, Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
Bellator MMA vs. Rizin fight card
BELLATOR MMA VS. RIZIN
- A.J. McKee vs. Roberto de Souza; Lightweight
- Patricio Pitbull vs. Kleber Koike Erbst; Featherweight
- Juan Archuleta vs. Soo Chul Kim; Bantamweight
- Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Hiromasa Ougikubo; Flyweight
- Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Koji Takeda; Lightweight
RIZIN 40
- Seika Izawa vs. Si Woo Park; Super Atomweight
- Naoki Inoue vs. Kenta Takizawa; Bantamweight
- Tsuyoshi Sudario vs. Junior Tafa; Heavyweight
- Yuki Motoya vs. Rogerio Bontorin; Yuki Motoya
- Johnny Case vs. Luiz Gustavo; Lightweight
- John Dodson vs. Hideo Tokoro; Flyweight
- BeyNoah vs. Sho Patrick Usami; Lightweight