Recently granted his release by the UFC, former flyweight standout Ian McCall did not take long to find a new home. RIZIN FF officials today announced that “Uncle Creepy” would make his way to the Land of the Rising Sun — and join the promotion’s bantamweight grand prix. McCall will debut at RIZIN FF 8: World Grand Prix 2nd Round.
In fact, he has already taken part in a promotional event with his first opponent in the promotion, Manel Kape. Kape (7-1) scored a knockout finish of Erson Yamamoto at this past weekend’s RIZIN World Grand Prix: Opening Round Part 2 in Fukuoka.
【RIZIN】12.29-31 RIZIN さいたまスーパーアリーナ▼バンタム級T二回戦抽選で7番くじを引き、堀口ではなくマッコールを選択したマネル・ケイプ「こいつはビビって震えている。楽勝だ。アーセンの時は1分で終わらせると言ってその通りにした。こいつは3分だ。簡単な金儲けだ」 pic.twitter.com/53iqeyg7GW
— ゴング格闘技 (@GONG_KAKUTOGI) October 16, 2017
McCall (13–5–1) struggled to make it to the cage in recent years, and has not fought since a 2015 unanimous decision loss to John Lineker at UFC 183. No less than four bouts featuring McCall were scrapped due to illness or injury suffered by himself or his opponent in the years since the Lineker fight. Overall, McCall went 2-3-1 during his UFC run, with the draw in question coming to Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson as part of the UFC’s initial flyweight tournament. That draw remains the most recent “blemish” on Johnson’s record.
After requesting his release from the promotion, McCall had been looking for something in the neighborhood of $50,000 to show, $50,000 to win to sign elsewhere. RIZIN specifically was singled out by the fighter as a potential destination.
Should he go all the way in the Grand Prix, it’s possible that Uncle Creepy could be fighting three times in three days over the course of the tournament.
Rizin FF 8: World Grand Prix 2nd Round takes place December 29 at the Saitama Super Arena just outside Tokyo in Saitama, Japan.
