Former Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Shane Carwin has officially signed a contract with the promotion that will be home to his MMA fighting return.
Carwin teased the announcement over the weekend that he had signed with the Japanese-based upstart MMA promotion Rizin Fighting Federation. On Thursday, the promotion led by Noboyuki Sakikibara, the same management figure who ran PRIDE FC in Japan for several years, made the news official.
The 41-year-old will make his MMA fighting return for the first time since his last fight, a UFC 131 loss to Junior Dos Santos in 2011, at the second round of ongoing Rizin FF Open Weight Grand Prix
At the official press event for the next round of the ongoing Rizin FF
“Japan is one of the most prestigious countries for not just the sport of MMA but martial arts, in general. The legends of the sport have fought in Japan and for [Rizin CEO and former Pride Fighting Championships head Nobuyuki] Sakakibara, and it is an absolute honor to be chosen for this event and to fight in an arena with so much history.
“I am excited to return to the sport of MMA, and I am also excited to be signing with Rizin. I’m ready to help take the company to the next level. I want people to remember me for my fights in Rizin, and for Rizin to be remembered as the promotion that overtook the UFC. After I win this Grand Prix, fans can be excited about the great future that is to come.”
無差別級グランプリのワイルドカードは、シェイン・カーウィン選手に決めました。これでグランプリの順位予想も、一気に混沌として来たのではないですか？是非、皆さんがグランプリで観たい対戦カードを教えて欲しいです。#RIZIN2016
をつけてつぶやいてみてください。#rizinff pic.twitter.com/VfMkGmdl0Y— NOBUYUKI SAKAKIBARA (@nobu_sakakibara) October 27, 2016
Who do you want Shane Carwin to fight in 2nd round? Use hashtag #rizin2016 and make your dream fight happen! #rizinff pic.twitter.com/daKy1ET45E
— RIZIN FF STAFF (@rizin_STAFF) October 27, 2016
Excited about Rizin? I am. #Pride #PrideNeverDie! Pride 2.0 is Rizin. Time to shine #dreamBIG
— Shane Carwin (@ShaneCarwin) October 27, 2016
another keyboard down. someone needs to make one that can handle my typing.
— Shane Carwin (@ShaneCarwin) October 27, 2016
Honored to help take Rizin to the top of MMA. https://t.co/mpQHX8SOXu
— Shane Carwin (@ShaneCarwin) October 27, 2016
I did accept a fight with Fedor. He likely won't fight again. I meet with Rizin and they have a great offer but NOTHING is signed.
— Shane Carwin (@ShaneCarwin) October 24, 2016
Hey @rizin_PR you are going to need bigger gloves, these do not fit, not even close! #MMA pic.twitter.com/Yk3gp2ataz
— Shane Carwin (@ShaneCarwin) October 23, 2016
