The Rizin Fighting World Grand Prix 2016 begins this Thursday and features a main event between Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal in the quarter finals of this years open weight tournament.
Former UFC and Pride FC veteran Filipovic (32-11-2-1) makes his second appearance for the Japanese promotion after scoring a 1st round submission victory (arm-triangle choke) over Hyun Man Ayung at Rizin FF 2 last September.
The man who stands in the Croatians way of being crowned tournament winner is the man who took the honours in the 2015 grand prix King Mo.
In last years tournament Lawal (20-5) who trains out of American Top Team in Florida defeated the likes of Brett McDermott, Teodoras Aukstuolis and Jiri Prochazka on route to being crowd last years champion.
In this years grand prix the 35-year-old former Strikeforce Champion will look to repeat the feat in a tournament which will also feature Heath Herring, Amir Aliakbari, Kaido Hoovelson, and Szymon Bajor.
Other fights on the card include the mixed martial arts debut of undefeated Japanese kickboxing sensation, Tenshin Nasukawa (0-0) who takes on Nikita Sapun (1-0).
Also featured is 2-times K1 Max champion Andy Sower (1-1) and “The Detroit Superstar” Daron Cruickshank (18-8-1).
Rizin FF 3 takes place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan on Thursday, December 29 2016 and MMA Plus will bring you up to the minute news and results from the event.
Rizin Fighting World GP 2016 – 2nd Round Live Stream
MMA Plus and EverSport have come together to bring you coverage of Rizin Fight Federation end of year showcase with the live stream of day one of the two day event which begins on Thursday, December 29 2016 at 6am GMT, 1am EST, 10pm PST.
