UFC veteran Nate Diaz teases move to Rizin FF in cryptic message amid interest from promotional leader

Nate Diaz UFC Nate Diaz RizinFormer UFC lightweight title challenger and welterweight contender, Nate Diaz has today teased a potential move to Rizin FF, after the Japanese promotion’s leader, Nobuyuki Sakakibara previously admitted his interest in booking the Stockton native of a card hosted by the organization. Diaz, a one-time lightweight title challenger under the banner of the UFC, completed […]

Nate Diaz UFC Nate Diaz Rizin

Former UFC lightweight title challenger and welterweight contender, Nate Diaz has today teased a potential move to Rizin FF, after the Japanese promotion’s leader, Nobuyuki Sakakibara previously admitted his interest in booking the Stockton native of a card hosted by the organization.

Diaz, a one-time lightweight title challenger under the banner of the UFC, completed his contractual obligations with the Dana White-led organization back in September of this year, headlining UFC 279 in an impromptu clash with Tony Ferguson.

Clashing with the former interim lightweight titleholder at the welterweight limit after originally scheduled foe, Khamzat Chimaev missed weight by seven and a half pounds, Nate Diaz exited the promotion riding a win, submitting Ferguson with a fourth round guillotine choke. 

In the months after, Diaz was subject to a period of exclusivity with the UFC, which allowed the promotion to weigh up the option of resigning the Stockton to a new deal if he was interested in negotiating terms.

However, in November of last year, Nate Diaz’s period of exclusivity with the UFC in terms of negotiations expired, with The Ultimate Fighter winner now free to field offers from a string of potential suitors.

A transition to professional boxing has been mentioned in the Diaz conversation, with Jake Paul this week offering to fight Diaz first in a boxing match, before offering him a rematch in six months’ time under the banner of the PFL (Professional Fighters League).

Nate Diaz has been linked to a professional boxing move to boot

However, this Friday morning, Diaz posted a cryptic tweet – implying his interest in a potential move to Rizin FF – who held a recent New Year’s Eve event in tandem with Scott Coker’s Bellator MMA. 

Diaz’s post comes hot the heels of recent claims from the above-mentioned, Sakakibara, who expressed his interest in potentially signing the Californian to a deal with the Japanese outfit.

“We do think we’re at a point where we can’t just only focus on the Japanese market anymore,” Sakakibara said during an interview with MMA Mania back in November. “We have to target the international audience. So, with that said, Floyd’s (Mayweather) doesn’t have to be a Japanese fighter anymore. It’s just one possibility thinking about the future. Not only Floyd’s opponent, but Nate Diaz as an individual has a great amount of character, fight style, and a great following internationally. So, as an individual, he would definitely be somebody we’d be interested to be talking to.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov showers praise on Bellator MMA vs. Rizin event: ‘This is unbelievable’

Khabib Nurmagomedov Scott CokerFormer undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov is said to have been left awestruck by last weekend’s Bellator MMA vs. Rizin event in Saitama, Japan – describing the cross-promoted event as “unbelievable” according to Bellator president, Scott Coker. Khabib, a former undisputed lightweight champion under the banner of the UFC, retired from active competition back […]

Khabib Nurmagomedov Scott Coker

Former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov is said to have been left awestruck by last weekend’s Bellator MMA vs. Rizin event in Saitama, Japan – describing the cross-promoted event as “unbelievable” according to Bellator president, Scott Coker.

Khabib, a former undisputed lightweight champion under the banner of the UFC, retired from active competition back in October 2020 on ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi, UAE – improving to 29-0 with a second round triangle submission win over then-interim titleholder, Justin Gaethje

In the time since, the Dagestan native has turned his hand successfully to coaching – guiding both Islam Makhachev, and Usman Nurmagomedov to lightweight gold under the UFC and Bellator MMA banners, respectively, as well as heading up Florida-based promotion, Eagle FC. 

Scott Coker details attending Bellator MMA vs. Rizin alongside Khabib Nurmagomedov

Attending Bellator MMA vs. Rizin on New Year’s Eve at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan, Khabib, who sat alongside the above-mentioned, Coker, is said to have been left in amazement by the event and pageantry. 

“It’s very interesting, because he (Khabib Nurmagomedov) wasn’t here in the heyday,” Scott Coker told assembled media at the post-fight press conference. “I got to see those fights. A lot ofyou know that [I’ve been] in the martial arts business a long time, I started working for K-1 in 199, so I got to see all the great fights in K-1. I got to see the great fights of PRIDE. And Khabib has never see the production and the fans, and he was freaking out.”

“He was telling me, ‘This is unbelievable,’” Scott Coker said of Khabib Nurmagomedov. “He kept telling me, ‘This is unbelievable. I had no idea that something like this was happening in Japan.’ And I said, ‘This is where it started, Khabib.’ This is where MMA and martial arts combat – it started here, it grew throughout the rest of the world, but there was a time when Japan had the best fighters in the world, the best production in the world, the best promotion in the world, and that’s why the UFC bought it (PRIDE). Just like my company, Strikefroce, I think we had a great roster, great events, so they (the UFC) bought it.” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)

AJ McKee wants to return to Rizin FF for title fight following New Years main event win

It’s safe to say former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee enjoyed his time in Japan, where he defeated Rizin lightweight champion Roberto de Souza in the main event of the evening at Rizin FF vs Bellator New Years event. This was McKee’s first time fighting in Japan, and just his third fight outside the United […]

It’s safe to say former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee enjoyed his time in Japan, where he defeated Rizin lightweight champion Roberto de Souza in the main event of the evening at Rizin FF vs Bellator New Years event.

This was McKee’s first time fighting in Japan, and just his third fight outside the United States, as he competed in Dublin, Ireland and Torino, Italy each once prior.

This victory saw Bellator talents get the clean 5-0 sweep of Rizin fighters, as they defeated two of their champions.

McKee had the following to say on his time spent in, and fighting in Japan at the post-fight press conference:

“I’m just trying to embrace it all. Being here and fighting in Japan for the fans here is a (once in a) lifetime experience. They just appreciate the art of the sport so much more here. So it’s an honor to be here and put on a great show.”

“This place is phenomenal. Fans are phenomenal, culture is phenomenal, it’s just an honor to be here, honestly. I’ve just heard so many stories and witnessed so many great fights here, so to finally be here and be a part of it…

“I had to redeem the last name McKee. The last time we were here, my father broke his orbital against Aoki. I just wanted to make sure to put on a great show for you guys.

McKee continued: “Man, that was so fun. I don’t know if that’s something I can do every fight, but it’s definitely something I enjoy a lot. I look forward to doing it again. Hopefully Rizin enjoyed the show, and they bring me back, and we can do it again for a title.”

This victory saw AJ McKee climb to 20-1 as a professional, and he’s now on a two-fight win streak with this victory.

If you enjoyed this piece, feel free to share it on social media!

Scott Coker reacts to 5-0 sweep at Rizin FF vs Bellator: “This is the best roster we’ve ever had”

scott cokerTo the surprise of many, Bellator President Scott Coker saw his fighters go unbeaten in their New Years cross-promotion event with Rizin, going 5-0 through the five-fight main card. Rizin FF vs Bellator was hosted at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The main card opened up with lightweight talent Gadzhi Rabadanov (19-4-2) defeating […]

scott coker

To the surprise of many, Bellator President Scott Coker saw his fighters go unbeaten in their New Years cross-promotion event with Rizin, going 5-0 through the five-fight main card.

Rizin FF vs Bellator was hosted at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

The main card opened up with lightweight talent Gadzhi Rabadanov (19-4-2) defeating Koji Takeda (15-4), before former Bellator bantamweight champion Juan Archuleta (27-4) picked up his second straight victory over Soo Chul Kim (18-7-1).

The feature fight of the evening showcased former Rizin & Bellator bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi (31-5) also win his second straight fight in his trilogy bout with Hiromasa Ougikubo (25-7-2), with Bellator featherweight champion and former Bellator lightweight champion Patricio Freire (35-5) defeating Rizin featherweight champion Kleber Koike Erbst (31-6-1) in the co-main event of the evening.

Erbst was 13-1 in his last 14 going into his bout with the fellow Brazilian, the only defeat coming to no. 7 ranked UFC lightweight contender Mateusz Gamrot.

Then we saw former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee (20-1) defeat Rizin lightweight champion and BJJ world champion Roberto de Souza (14-2) in the main event of the evening, though the victory didn’t come without its troubles.

Scott Coker had the following to say in regards to his fighters performances at the event:

“I always said my wish was to go 5-0, and I’m happy that my guys won, but to me, it was very competitive out there,” Coker told reporters at the post-fight press conference. “That last fight, de Souza when he was fighting A.J., there were a couple of times I thought he might get tapped.

“It was very stressful to watch that last fight. It was very back and forth. I’m glad AJ did what he had to do to win. But anything can happen in a fight in MMA. It was an entertaining night of fights.”

“It just shows you how much the Rizin fighters to me have grown in the last five, six years. I see a big growth spur. Keep in mind, when you talk about the Bellator athletes, and I’m not just saying this because you know it’s the company I run, but over the last six, seven years, this is the best roster we’ve ever had in the history of the company.

“If you go all the way down the weight classes, we not just have fighters that can compete in the UFC, but we have fighters at three or four in each weight class that can compete against any company on the planet. We have a very strong, strong fighter base right now.”

Coker isn’t wrong, Bellator MMA has got some seriously skilled talents at the moment, and they’ll only get better as time continues to pass.

Wouldn’t it be great if Scott Coker could somehow convince UFC President Dana White to do a cross-promotion event?

If you enjoyed this piece, feel free to share it on social media!

A.J. McKee hands Roberto Satoshi unanimous decision loss in Bellator clean sweep – Bellator vs. Rizin Highlights

A.J. McKee Bellator RizinFormer Bellator MMA featherweight champion, A.J. McKee made sure of a main card clean sweep for the Scott Coker-led promotion tonight at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan, handing Brazilian submission artist and Rizin FF lightweight kingpin, A.J. McKee a unanimous decision loss in the main event of Bellator MMA vs. Rizin. McKee, a former […]

A.J. McKee Bellator Rizin

Former Bellator MMA featherweight champion, A.J. McKee made sure of a main card clean sweep for the Scott Coker-led promotion tonight at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan, handing Brazilian submission artist and Rizin FF lightweight kingpin, A.J. McKee a unanimous decision loss in the main event of Bellator MMA vs. Rizin.

McKee, a former featherweight champion under the Bellator banner, initially won the crown as well as a Featherweight World Grand Prix against event co-headliner, Patricio Pitbull back in July of last year, before suffering a title loss in a close decision defeat in an April rematch this year.

Making a lightweight division move back in October, McKee defeated UFC alum, Spike Carlyle over the course of three rounds in a unanimous decision win, setting up tonight’s headliner against Rizin FF lightweight kingpin, Satoshi.

Engaging in countless scramble after scramble with the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu player, McKee was forced to defend his back on occasion as the lightweight champion even pulled guard during their main event bout.

Closing out a triumphant main card for Bellator MMA, McKee joined the aforenoted, Pitbull, Kyoji Horiguchi, Juan Archuleta, Gadhzi Rabadanov in landing judging wins for the North American-based organization.

Below, catch the highlights from A.J. McKee’s win against Roberto Satoshi

Watch | Former UFC contender John Dodson scores a first-round KO win in RIZIN debut against Hideo Tokoro

John Dodson Rizin TokoroThe MMA veteran and former top-ranked UFC contender John Dodson made an impressive debut in RIZIN earlier today. The US-born athlete made quick work of the DREAM and RIZIN veteran Hideo Tokoro. Dodson only needed one minute and forty-three seconds of fight time to finish the bout via knockout. John Dodson wins via KO in […]

John Dodson Rizin Tokoro

The MMA veteran and former top-ranked UFC contender John Dodson made an impressive debut in RIZIN earlier today. The US-born athlete made quick work of the DREAM and RIZIN veteran Hideo Tokoro. Dodson only needed one minute and forty-three seconds of fight time to finish the bout via knockout.

John Dodson wins via KO in RIZIN debut

‘The Magician’ John Dodson made his RIZIN debut in the competitive flyweight division at 125 lbs. The 5’3″ fighter humorously listed himself as 6’2″ on the TV broadcast. He is a long-time veteran of MMA collecting a record of 23-13 between the UFC, XMMA, King of the Cage, and several other organizations. Most notably, he has faced fighters such as Merab Dvalishvili, John Lineker, Petr Yan, T.J. Dillashaw, and two bouts against ‘Mighty Mouse’ Demetrious Johnson. Currently, Dodson is on a two-fight win streak having both of his 2022 MMA fights, plus a BKFC bout he won via KO.

Hideo Tokoro is a Japanese-born submission grappling athlete. In his 22-year-long career, he has fought from flyweight to heavyweight. Tokoro was a staple of the DREAM organization where he was known as one of the most exciting fighters on the roster. Over his impressive career, he has put together a record of 35-32 against notable fighters such as Kyoji Horiguchi, Masakazu Imanari, Joachim Hansen, Abel Cullum, Brad Pickett, Ivan Menjivar, and UFC 1 winner Royce Gracie, plus even grappled against Wanderlei Silva.

With this notable win, the Jackson-Wink-trained John Dodson is likely to continue climbing the ranks of MMA around the globe. Yesterday on Instagram he promised fireworks, and today he delivered.“It’s time for the real fun to begin. Tomorrow night is nothing but fireworks.”