Bellator MMA returned to Japan on Saturday to close out the final quarterfinal round of its lightweight grand prix, as well as crown an inaugural flyweight champion at Bellator x RIZIN 2.
The cross-promotion with RIZIN Fighting Federation came with a second half, Super RIZIN 2, that would air (via Fite.tv) after the Bellator portion of the show on Showtime in the U.S. And while the promotion versus promotion format was gone for the most part, due to a staph infection endured by A.J. McKee, RIZIN’s Roberto de Souza stepped into the main event and million dollar grand prix against Patricky Pitbull.
In the co-main event, meanwhile, Kyoji Horiguchi finally had a chance to claim a major title at flyweight. Once a two-promotion champ at bantamweight in both Bellator and RIZIN, Japan’s Horiguchi would face Makoto Shinryu for the inaugural Bellator MMA flyweight championship on Saturday at the Saitama Super Arena.
The former UFC title challenger has long been considered one of the best lighter fighters on the planet, and the chance for a third major title underscored that.
Bellator x RIZIN 2 kicks off at 11PM ET on Showtime — full results can be found below!
Bellator x RIZIN 2: Pitbull vs. De Souza Results
Lightweight: Patricky Pitbull def. Roberto De Souza by TKO (leg kick and strikes), Round 3, 0:49 — Lightweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal
Flyweight: Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Makoto “Shinryu” ends in a No Contest (accidental eye poke), Round 1, 0:25 — for the Inaugural Flyweight World Championship:
Flyweight: Kana Watanabe def. Veta Arteaga by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantamweight: Magomed Magomedov def. Danny Sabatello by submission (guillotine choke), Round 1, 3:55
Welterweight: Andrey Koreshkov def. Lorenz Larkin by split decision (29-28, 28-28, 29-28)
