Rafael Silva‘s next fight looks set to be on a ONE Championship card. The reigning bantamweight King of Pancrase broke the news in an interview with Brazil’s Tatame Magazine.
Speaking in Portugese Silva said,
“I will fight at ONE representing Pancrase. This has already been confirmed and I’m just waiting for the date and the opponent.”
Silva holds a record of 31-6 and has won six fights out of seven for Pancrase. He previously fought for Bellator and also holds a 2009 win over John Lineker, who recently signed with ONE Championship.
ONE Championship recently agreed an exclusive partnership with Pancrase that gives all champions from the Japanese organization the opportunity to earn a contract with Asia’s biggest MMA promotion.
There will also be five ‘Shooto vs Pancrase’ matchups on the ONE: ‘Century’ card with $50,000 in prize money on the line for the winners. The event is set for Ryōgoku Kokugikan on October 13th.
The promotion’s bantamweight title will be on the line when Bibiano Fernandes faces Kevin Belingon for the fourth time on October 13th. There will also be a ONE Warrior Series event in Tokyo in the buildup with a Japan vs The World’ theme.
Silva is coming off a submission win at Pancrase 307 last weekend and will be looking to establish himself as a top contender with ONE Championship in the coming months.
