PFL teams up with RIZIN for historic dual-promotion featherweight title fight

One champion. Two promotions.

RIZIN Fighting Federation and Professional Fighters League (PFL) today announced a historic cross-promotional championship fight for SUPER RIZIN 5, as reigning RIZIN Featherweight Champion Razhabali Shaidulloev faces former Bellator MMA Featherweight Champion AJ McKee. Both the RIZIN featherweight title and the vacant PFL featherweight strap will be up for grabs in the same fight.

The bout will be contested under RIZIN MMA Rules over three five-minute rounds at 66.0 kilograms.

“We are truly delighted to join forces with PFL on an epoch-making initiative that will leave its mark on the history of combat sports worldwide,” said RIZIN CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara. “RIZIN and PFL have different rules, regulations and approaches to presenting combat sports. By coming together and embracing those differences, we are opening the door to an entirely new world. I firmly believe this represents a historic and revolutionary step forward. With the utmost respect for one another, let us fight with everything we have.”

RIZIN and Bellator MMA previously collaborated before Bellator MMA was acquired (and ultimately dissolved) by PFL. SUPER RIZIN 5 is scheduled for Sept. 10 at the Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, Japan.

“When I became CEO at PFL, I made it my mission to bring together the best fighters and deliver the fights that the fans want to see,” said PFL CEO John Martin. “Now, with this extraordinary partnership, I can’t wait to honor that promise and bring a truly unique and fresh opportunity for the MMA community to enjoy. For me, it will be a special experience as I get to throw my full support behind one fighter, and I’m looking forward to being cage side to watch the ‘Mercenary’ bring the titles to PFL.”

Here is the current SUPER RIZIN 5 lineup:

RIZIN & PFL Featherweight Double Title Fight
Razhabali Shaidulloev vs. AJ McKee
RIZIN MMA Rules: Three five-minute rounds — 66.0 kg (145.5 lbs)

Lightweight Super Fight
Mikuru Asakura vs. Shinya Aoki
RIZIN MMA Rules: Three five-minute rounds — 71.0 kg

Featherweight Bout
Ren Hiramoto vs. Karshyga Dautbek
RIZIN MMA Rules: Three five-minute rounds — 66.0 kg

Featherweight Bout
Yutaka Saito vs. YA-MAN
RIZIN MMA Rules: Three five-minute rounds — 66.0 kg

Featherweight Bout
Vugar Karamov vs. Ryo Takagi
RIZIN MMA Rules: Three five-minute rounds — 66.0 kg

Lightweight Bout
Roberto Satoshi Souza vs. Shunta Nomura
RIZIN MMA Rules: Three five-minute rounds — 71.0 kg

59.0 kg Bout
Daichi Tomizawa vs. Donmai Kawabata
RIZIN MMA Rules: Three five-minute rounds — 59.0 kg

RIZIN also announced that Chihiro Suzuki will be unable to compete at SUPER RIZIN.5.