Bellator MMA x Rizin 2
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| Bellator MMA x Rizin 2 | |||
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| Promotion(s) | Bellator MMA Rizin Fighting Federation | ||
| Date | July 30, 2023 | ||
| City | Saitama, Japan | ||
| Venue | Saitama Super Arena | ||
| Bellator MMA events chronology | |||
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| Rizin events chronology | |||
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Bellator MMA x Rizin 2 and Super Rizin 2 was a mixed martial arts event being co-promoted by Bellator MMA and the Rizin Fighting Federation that took place on July 30, 2023, at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.[1][2][3][4]
The event marked the second co-promotion between Bellator MMA and the Rizin Fighting Federation, and Bellator's third visit to Saitama; following Bellator MMA vs. Rizin in December 2022, and Bellator 237 on December 29, 2019.[5]
A Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix quarterfinal bout between former Bellator Featherweight Champion A. J. McKee and former Bellator Lightweight Champion Patricky Pitbull was scheduled to headline the event.[1] However, on July 26, it was announced McKee had pulled out of the bout due to medical issues and was replaced by current Rizin Lightweight Champion Roberto de Souza at a catchweight of 161 pounds.[6]
For the co-main event, an inaugural Bellator Flyweight Championship bout between former Bellator Bantamweight Champion Kyoji Horiguchi (also former two-time Rizin Bantamweight Champion) and Makoto Takahashi took place at the event.[7] If successful, Horiguchi would have become the fourth fighter in Bellator history to win a title in different divisions (after Joe Warren at Bellator 128, Ryan Bader at Bellator 214, and Patrício Pitbull at Bellator 221).[3]
A Rizin Bantamweight Championship bout for the vacant title between former Bellator Bantamweight Champion Juan Archuleta and former champion Kai Asakura was scheduled to take place at the event.[8][4] Former champion Kyoji Horiguchi vacated the title on December 22 after moving down to the flyweight division.[9] However, on July 18 it was announced that Asakura withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Hiromasa Ougikubo.[10]
