What Happened to Rizin Fighting Federation?
Rizin Fighting Federation is a prominent Japanese mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, founded in 2015 by former Pride FC president Nobuyuki Sakakibara, aiming to revive the spectacle and unique ruleset of its predecessors. It has established itself as Japan's top MMA promotion, known for its grand events, including traditional New Year's Eve shows, and has expanded its global reach through strategic partnerships and its own streaming service. As of 2026, Rizin continues to host a robust schedule of events, including a major Heavyweight Grand Prix and a historic cross-promotional title fight with the Professional Fighters League.
Quick Answer
Rizin Fighting Federation is thriving as Japan's premier mixed martial arts promotion, carrying on the legacy of Pride FC with its distinctive ring, rules, and elaborate events. In 2026, Rizin has maintained a busy schedule, including the launch of a Japan Heavyweight Grand Prix and a groundbreaking cross-promotional featherweight title unification bout with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) at Super Rizin 5. Despite past controversies, the organization has solidified its international presence through partnerships and its RIZIN.tv streaming platform, continuing to deliver high-profile combat sports action.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Rizin Fighting Federation Announced
Nobuyuki Sakakibara officially announced the launch of Rizin Fighting Federation, signing former Pride Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko to headline its inaugural event.
Inaugural Event: Rizin World Grand Prix 2015
Rizin held its first event, Rizin World Grand Prix 2015, at the Saitama Super Arena, reviving Pride's tradition of New Year's Eve shows and featuring Fedor Emelianenko.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Tenshin Nasukawa
Rizin 14 featured a high-profile boxing exhibition match between undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, drawing significant global attention.
First Cage Event: Rizin Trigger 1st
Rizin Trigger 1st marked Rizin's first event to feature matches inside a cage, departing from its traditional roped ring format for some bouts.
Fuji TV Deal Dropped Amid Controversies
Rizin's broadcasting deal with Fuji TV was terminated due to several controversies, including allegations of match-fixing and ties to organized crime, leading Rizin to focus on its own streaming services.
Bellator vs. Rizin Crossover Event
Rizin 40 hosted a major crossover event with Bellator MMA, where fighters from both promotions competed against each other, with Bellator fighters sweeping all five matches.
Launch of RIZIN.tv International Streaming
Rizin launched RIZIN.tv, a new international subscription-based streaming service, to provide global access to its events and past content.
Partnership with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC)
Rizin announced a talent-sharing partnership with BKFC, allowing fighters to compete in bare-knuckle bouts across both organizations.
Rizin 52 Kicks Off 2026 Season
Rizin 52 was held at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, marking the promotion's first event of the 2026 calendar year.
Japan Heavyweight Grand Prix Announced
Rizin announced the 'RIZIN JAPAN GP Heavyweight Tournament' for 2026, with semifinals starting at Rizin 54 in August and the final in November.
Historic PFL Crossover Title Fight Announced for Super Rizin 5
Rizin and the Professional Fighters League (PFL) jointly announced a groundbreaking cross-promotional fight for Super Rizin 5, where both the Rizin and PFL Featherweight Championships will be on the line between Razhabali Shaidulloev and AJ McKee.
Rizin 54 Hosts Heavyweight Grand Prix Semifinals
Rizin 54 took place at Toyota Arena Tokyo, featuring the semifinal matches of the Rizin Japan Heavyweight Grand Prix.
Super Rizin 5: Double Title Fight
Super Rizin 5 is scheduled for Kyocera Dome Osaka, featuring the highly anticipated double-title fight between Rizin Featherweight Champion Razhabali Shaidulloev and PFL's AJ McKee.
Annual New Year's Eve Event
Rizin is scheduled to hold its traditional New Year's Eve event at Vantelin Dome Nagoya, where the winner of the Heavyweight Grand Prix is expected to challenge Alexander Soldatkin for the inaugural heavyweight title.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Rizin Fighting Federation (Rizin FF) was established in 2015 by Nobuyuki Sakakibara, the former president of the legendary Pride Fighting Championships and Dream Stage Entertainment. The organization was conceived as a spiritual successor to Pride and Dream, aiming to bring back the grand spectacle, elaborate fighter entrances, and a ruleset that includes elements like soccer kicks and stomps, distinguishing it from promotions like the UFC. Rizin quickly revived Pride's tradition of holding major events on New Year's Eve, starting with its inaugural show in 2015 headlined by Fedor Emelianenko.
Over the years, Rizin has become known for its blend of MMA, kickboxing, and occasional special attraction bouts, such as the 2018 boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Tenshin Nasukawa. The promotion has consistently featured a mix of Japanese stars and international talent, often collaborating with other major promotions. A significant turning point was the crossover event with Bellator MMA in December 2022, Rizin 40, which saw fighters from both promotions compete against each other.
However, Rizin has also faced its share of challenges. In 2022, the promotion was dropped by Fuji TV amidst accusations of match-fixing and alleged ties to organized crime, as well as controversies surrounding key sponsors. These incidents led Rizin to shift its broadcasting strategy, increasingly relying on its own streaming service, RIZIN STREAM PASS, and later launching RIZIN.tv in February 2024 for international audiences.
Despite these hurdles, Rizin has continued its growth and international expansion. In June 2024, Rizin announced a partnership with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) for talent sharing and potential co-promoted bare-knuckle bouts. The year 2026 has been particularly active, with Rizin hosting numerous events, including Rizin 52 in March, Rizin Landmark 13 in April, Rizin 53 in May, Rizin Landmark 14 in June, Rizin Landmark 15 in July, and Rizin 54 in August. A major development in 2026 is the ongoing Japan Heavyweight Grand Prix, which commenced at Rizin 54 in August, with the final scheduled for November.
Most notably, on July 20, 2026, Rizin and the Professional Fighters League (PFL) announced a historic cross-promotional championship fight for Super Rizin 5 on September 10, 2026. This unprecedented event will see Rizin Featherweight Champion Razhabali Shaidulloev face former world champion AJ McKee, with both the Rizin and PFL Featherweight Championships on the line, marking a significant collaboration in the global MMA landscape. As of August 28, 2026, Rizin Fighting Federation remains a vibrant and influential force in combat sports, particularly in Japan, with a clear commitment to spectacle, competitive matchups, and strategic international partnerships.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Rizin Fighting Federation made different choices?