Japan’s RIZIN Fighting Federation and the Professional Fighters League are picking up where RIZIN and Bellator MMA left off.
On Friday, promotion officials on both sides announced a crossover fight, one that sees former RIZIN bantamweight champ Naoki Inoue (20-5) take on PFL World Tournament winner Marcirley Alves (15-4).
The high-profile 135lb match-up takes place at PFL Brussels at the ING Arena in Brussels, Belgium on May 23, 2026. It marks the first time the promotions have collaborated, though the PFL did absorb Bellator, which hosted several crossover events with the Japanese organization.
Inoue, who has also fought in the UFC, had won four straight and defended his RIZIN bantamweight belt twice before running into Danny Sabatello in his last outing. He lost a split decision against the American, ending his title reign roughly a year and a half after it kicked off.
Brazil’s Alves, who previously fought for Bellator, was something of a dark horse in the PFL’s 2025 bantamweight world tournament. He went 3-0 to win the grand prix format, beating former Bellator star Leandro Higo and ex-UFC fighter Jake Hadley along the way.
Many had expected Alves to be paired up in a title fight next, perhaps with Sergio Pettis. Pettis, however, faces Mitch McKee next month in a non-title bout at PFL Chicago.
PFL Brussels, meanwhile, is headlined by unbeaten Belgian Patrick Habirora and the returning Benson Henderson.
