Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Koji Takeda Added to Bellator MMA vs. Rizin NYE Event

＼湘南美容クリニック presents／
⚔️#RIZIN40 追加対戦カード⚔️

【#RIZINvsBellator 全面対抗戦】
武田光司 @koujitakeda0813
🆚
ガジ・ラバダノフ

Advertisement

📅：12.31(土) 13:30開始(予定)
🏟：さいたまスーパーアリーナ
📝：https://t.co/1TgCLzAzCI pic.twitter.com/nuBDWirCQd

— RIZIN FF OFFICIAL (@rizin_PR) November 11, 2022

Dec. 31’s joint Bellator MMA and Rizin Fighting Federation card has added an intriguing lightweight matchup as Gadzhi Rabadanov will take on Koji Takeda.

Rabadanov (18-4-1, 3-0 Bellator) is looking for his fourth consecutive victory as he prepares to compete in Japan for the first time in his near 10-year career. The Russian is coming off back-to-back decision victories over Jay-Jay Wilson and Bobby King. In his promotional debut, Rabadanov crushed Daniel Carey via first-round knockout.

Order UFC 281 "Adesanya vs. Pereira" exclusively on ESPN+

Former Deep lightweight champion and suplex-machine Takeda (15-3, 5-3 Rizin) will aim to pile up his third consecutive triumph. Recently, Takeda forced Bellator MMA alum Zach Zane to tap due to armbar at 3:35 of their clash at Rizin 39. Prior, he upended Johnny Case on all scorecards at the end of their battle at Rizin 37 in July.

Rizin 40 will go down at the legendary Saitama Arena near Tokyo. The card will feature an all-time double headliner as A.J. McKee faces Roberto de Souza in a 155-pound clash and Patricio Freire collides with Kleber Koike at featherweight.