The quarter finals of the the Rizin Lightweight Grand Prix will take place at the Edion Arena in Osaka on October 12th and the four matchups were released today.
Tofiq Musaev faces Damien Brown, Johnny Case goes up against Roberto de Souza, Patricky Freire takes on Tatsuya Kawajiri and Hiroto Uesako has been matched with Luiz Gustavo.
The bout between Kawajiri (37-13-2) and Freire (21-8) is arguably the pick of the semi finals. The former is a UFC veteran while the latter has been on the Bellator roster for nearly a decade.
Brown (19-12) might feel that he drew the short straw. He’s been matched with Musaev (15-3), the Russian is regarded by many as being the dark horse in this tournament.
UFC veteran Johnny Case (26-6-1) has been matched with undefeated BJJ black belt Roberto de Souza (9-0). Meanwhile Luiz Gustavo (9-1) faces Uesako (16-7) in one of two semi final bouts pitting Brazil against Japan.
There are four more fights on the Rizin 19 card. In a 100kgs catchweight contest reigning light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka (24-3-1) will be taking on Brazil’s Fabio Maldonado (25-13).
After suffering a surprise defeat at Bellator 222 earlier this year Japanese strawweight Rena Kubota (8-3) returns to home soil. She faces Canadian striker Shawna Ram (1-0) in another catchweight contest at Rizin 19.
Road FC 105lbs champion Seo Hee Ham (21-8) will be looking to make it back to back Rizin wins. She faces Miyuu Yamamoto (5-3) in a super atomweight contest between two fighters hoping to secure a title shot.
The fourth matchup is in the welterweight division and pits Keita Nakamura (34-10-2) against Marcos Souza (8-1).
Rizin 19, Osaka, October 12th
Jiri Prochazka vs. Fabio Maldonado (100kgs)
Tofiq Musaev vs. Damien Brown (Lightweight Grand Prix Quarter Final)
Johnny Case vs. Roberto de Souza (Lightweight Grand Prix Quarter Final)
Patricky Freire vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri (Lightweight Grand Prix Quarter Final)
Hiroto Uesako vs. Luiz Gustavo (Lightweight Grand Prix Quarter Final)
Seo Hee Ham vs. Miyuu Yamamoto (49kgs)
Marcos de Souza vs. Keita Nakamura (77kgs)
Rena Kubota vs. Shawna Ram (51kgs)
