Two of the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organizations collided in a supercard showdown earlier today (Sat., Dec. 31, 2022) at Bellator MMA vs RIZIN from inside Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The main card featured five exciting matchups between the top fighters from Bellator and the best from RIZIN.
In the main event, former Bellator featherweight champion, A.J. McKee, went toe-to-toe with current RIZIN lightweight champion, Roberto de Souza. McKee, who has only lost once in his professional career, was the betting favorite in this headliner. However, de Souza was able to utilize his world-class grappling early and often to make this a chess match of positions and transitions.
McKee, who is a strong wrestler in his own right, was game from the opening bell. He defended each and every advancement by de Souza while mixing in some solid offense of his own. It wasn’t pretty, but McKee did enough over the course of three rounds to walk away with the unanimous decision nod. Check out the action below:
AJ McKee enters the legendary Saitama Super Arena in Samurai armour ??
Full Replay at 8pm ET/PT on @SHOSports#RIZINvsBellator#BellatorvsRIZIN#RIZIN40 pic.twitter.com/yC1MCTTknk
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) December 31, 2022
Our Champion is on his way to the ring!
[ #RIZIN40 | #RIZINvsBellator ] pic.twitter.com/84uCAnyDiD
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) December 31, 2022
The early guard pull sees @ToshiJJ get AJ right where he wants him!
[ #RIZIN40 | #RIZINvsBellator ] pic.twitter.com/qPYNUrVru9
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) December 31, 2022
A wild ending to round 1!
This is why JMMA rules, rule!
[ #RIZIN40 | #RIZINvsBellator ] pic.twitter.com/ilQwCWxI7h
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) December 31, 2022
These two are complete wizards on the ground…
[ #RIZIN40 | #RIZINvsBellator ] pic.twitter.com/fJjuttH8yh
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) December 31, 2022
WOW. @ajmckee101 with the soccer kick!
Full Replay at 8pm ET/PT on @SHOsports #RIZINvsBellator#BellatorvsRIZIN#RIZIN40 pic.twitter.com/3pdbBMzLux
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) December 31, 2022
It’s all respect between these two warriors at the start of the final round
[ #RIZIN40 | #RIZINvsBellator ] pic.twitter.com/ITlV7hkEhV
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) December 31, 2022
From side control to a back take! @ToshiJJ
[ #RIZIN40 | #RIZINvsBellator ] pic.twitter.com/0sYOL7dWnZ
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) December 31, 2022
@ajmckee101 tries to shake off @ToshiJJ!
Full Replay at 8pm ET/PT on @SHOsports #RIZINvsBellator#BellatorvsRIZIN#RIZIN40 pic.twitter.com/dIXIvyZdNd
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) December 31, 2022
Team BELLATOR MMA
5?? fights and 5?? wins. What a night for BELLATOR President @ScottCoker and the entire BELLATOR team.
Full Replay at 8pm ET/PT on @SHOSports#RIZINvsBellator#BellatorvsRIZIN#RIZIN40 pic.twitter.com/Hi1qXtVK1b
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) December 31, 2022
In the co-main event, current Bellator featherweight champion and former lightweight titleholder, Patricio Freire, met Japanese submission specialist, Kleber Koike Erbst. Despite “Pitbull” being a sizeable betting favorite Erbst made this closer than expected, even landing a nice toss on the Bellator champ in the opening frame and a stiff up kick in the second round.
In the end, Freire was able to command the action over the course of 15 minutes and walked away with the unanimous decision win. It was the first loss for Erbst since dropping a decision to Mateusz Gamrot back in 2018. Check out some of the action below:
Goin’ for a ride!
An entertaining end to round 1???
[ #RIZIN40 | #RIZINvsBellator ] pic.twitter.com/yfAZoAbQhZ
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) December 31, 2022
Using his reach advantage EVERYWHERE. @KoikeKleber
[ #RIZIN40 | #RIZINvsBellator ] pic.twitter.com/d03SYPRpVP
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) December 31, 2022
Kleber pulls guard!
[ #RIZIN40 | #RIZINvsBellator ] pic.twitter.com/m7sbyHQ6XB
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) December 31, 2022
Stand up, Kleber
Full Replay at 8pm ET/PT on @SHOSports#RIZINvsBellator#BellatorvsRIZIN#RIZIN40 pic.twitter.com/K4puEprCNn
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) December 31, 2022
Both fighters were confident they got the win…
[ #RIZIN40 | #RIZINvsBellator ] pic.twitter.com/sCwOQfAzd4
— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) December 31, 2022
For complete Bellator MMA vs. RIZIN results and coverage click HERE.