RUMOR: Bellator Champions Series 8 will be in Saitama Super Arena (Tokyo, Japan)

[TheBrownRanger]

Found these: https://schedule.fightmag.com/events/bellator-saitama/

Bellator Champions Series - Japan

Bellator Champions Series - Japan in Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan on Dec 31, 2024.

www.sherdog.com

I remember this event getting leaked on the Bellator broadcast in March during the Dublin event. Might be an open secret at this point but I started this thread in case anyone wanted to talk about it. Hope it doesn't get canceled like that dud of a France card.

We could get a lot of good fights for this one if PFL actually decides to use their roster. They haven't used Patricio, Nemkov, or Bader lately. I'd also like to see some notable absences like Cat Zingano, Phil Davis, Ali Isaev, or Ilima-Lei Macfarlane return (seriously, where are these people?).

Also, it is very interesting that RIZIN doesn't have an event scheduled for the 31st. There's a chance we'll see a collaboration between both on NYE.

 

[Bobby Boulders]

A few years ago Bellator held a card in Saitama on NYE, which was immediately followed by RIZIN NYE. I presume that this situation will turn out like that, with fighters from both orgs on both cards. The RIZIN portion might end up with fighters representing RIZIN, Bellator/PFL, BKFC, and KSW. I already took time off from work so I can watch this shit live.

 

[Bubzeh]

2 months away from the event and we have little to no detail. Annoys me more than it should.

 

[Koala]

Is it the last Bellator's card ever?

 

[TorontoTO]

Is it the last Bellator's card ever?

probably

 

[CC27]

Is it the last Bellator's card ever?

Would assume this is the last event under the Bellator brand, the whole structure of Bellator and its people will likely be rebranded into PFL Champ series or some version of that and continue on.

 

[TheBrownRanger]

Would assume this is the last event under the Bellator brand, the whole structure of Bellator and its people will likely be rebranded into PFL Champ series or some version of that and continue on.

I'd say an NYE card with RIZIN would be a better end for Bellator than having them go out with a whimper in some half-empty arena in Europe.

 

[TheBrownRanger]

A few years ago Bellator held a card in Saitama on NYE, which was immediately followed by RIZIN NYE. I presume that this situation will turn out like that, with fighters from both orgs on both cards. The RIZIN portion might end up with fighters representing RIZIN, Bellator/PFL, BKFC, and KSW. I already took time off from work so I can watch this shit live.

RIZIN has a presser on 11/5. Hopefully we'll get some info on NYE. I'd love to fly out to that shit if such a collaboration happens.

UPDATE: Pitbull will be on this card, it seems. Hopefully a rematch against Chihiro Suzuki for the title or vs Aaron Pico.

 

[Bobby Boulders]

RIZIN has a presser on 11/5. Hopefully we'll get some info on NYE. I'd love to fly out to that shit if such a collaboration happens.

UPDATE: Pitbull will be on this card, it seems. Hopefully a rematch against Chihiro Suzuki for the title or vs Aaron Pico.
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There are ready made storylines with Patricio with both Suzuki and Erbst, so I wouldn't mind either fight. Hoping Patricky fights Erbst, though, they've got some beef to settle.

Glad this is happening, even if PFL is involved.

 

[Bobby Boulders]

RIZIN should benefit to a degree, if this is the last Bellator card, and fighters are lost in the shuffle when the rebrand happens. There were guys who were still with Bellator for the two or three years prior to the sale who never really left Japan after they fought there on a Bellator/RIZIN co-promotion, and I wouldn't doubt that, if RIZIN ponied up just a bit, they could land some decent international talent.

 

[skylolow]

I hope PFL is keeping some of them sidelined through the end of the year so they can hit the ground running in 2025 with some solid events right off the bat and try to build some good will with the fans and some momentum with the product.

 

[TheBrownRanger]

I hope PFL is keeping some of them sidelined through the end of the year so they can hit the ground running in 2025 with some solid events right off the bat and try to build some good will with the fans and some momentum with the product.

Knowing the PFL, they’ll just release a huge chunk of the roster and hire cheaper talent for their season format. They can’t properly build a roster if it meant saving them.

 

[uled]

2 months away from the event and we have little to no detail. Annoys me more than it should.

It is Japan and they are basically on last minute. I remember we knew Fedors opponent like late november back in 2015

 

[careto]

Knowing the PFL, they’ll just release a huge chunk of the roster and hire cheaper talent for their season format. They can’t properly build a roster if it meant saving them.

Mix, Eblen, and Nemkov should leave that POS org.

 

[TheBrownRanger]

Mix, Eblen, and Nemkov should leave that POS org.

That leaves me wondering. Where the hell is Nemkov? Realistically, he's the next contender for Ngannou's title. Or he could just beat up Ryan Bader again.

 

[careto]

That leaves me wondering. Where the hell is Nemkov? Realistically, he's the next contender for Ngannou's title. Or he could just beat up Ryan Bader again.

Nemkov vs Jiri II and hopefully a title shot next.

 

[Thesnake101]

Nemkov vs Jiri II and hopefully a title shot next.

Would he even want to go back to LHW?

 

[asdf122345]

They should do a grand prix.

 

[Killer Kadoogan]

i want to see a MMA org with balls do a proper one night tournament again

 

[Bobby Boulders]

i want to see a MMA org with balls do a proper one night tournament again

I am all for any steps backwards. I'm probably in the minority, but I still enjoy the way things were prior to Zuffa and the Unified Rules way more than what we have now. If a new org came along and simply rebooted what the UFC did in the early days...I would pay for it.