The Lebanese German Bantamweight MMA fighter, Khalid Taha (10-0-0), is lined up to participate in Rizin Fighting Federations’s Bantamweight Grand Prix, 2017. To be held in Saitama Super Arena, Japan, the GP follows similarly in last year’s schedule. Four bouts on July 30th, four in Autumn, quarterfinals on December 29th, semifinals and finals on December 31st.
Taha, 25, will fight in one of the first round bouts against Keita Ishibashi (8-5-2) from Japan. He puts his undefeated record on the line in a Grand Prix that can take his career to another level. With 10 consecutive wins and 80% finishes, Taha is surely the type that looks to end fights. A good performance in such a prestigious event will turn global MMA leaders towards Taha. Headlining the night is a Japanese ex-UFC combatant, Kyoji Horiguchi (19-2-0). After enjoying seven wins and one loss in the Octagon, this Japanese beast chose not to renew his UFC contract in Nov 2016. He entered Rizin 5 in 2017 and currently trains with American Top Team. Horigushi is up against fellow national Hideo Tokoro (34-29-2) in the Flyweight bout.
ABOUT RIZIN FF
Rizin Fighting Federation (Rizin FF) is a regional Japanese Mixed Martial Arts promotion created in 2015 by the former Pride Fighting Championship president Nobuyuki Sakakibara. This is the third Grand Prix they hold and is the first time they include the Bantam weight division (61kgs) males. Also worthy to note the Atom weight division (48kgs) for females will make its first appearance as well.