Following their first fight over a decade ago on a New Year’s Eve show in Japan, Rizin FF announced that Bob Sapp vs. Akebono will be taking place on their inaugural event next month.
The first time Sapp and Akebono met in the ring, it was a clear-cut ratings winner in Japan, something the new Rizin promotion led by pro wrestling and PRIDE legend Nobuhiko Takada is hoping will happen again this year.
Sapp vs. Akebono joins a card headlined by Fedor Emelianenko’s MMA return fight against an opponent that has yet to be announced on New Year’s Eve in Japan.
