Rising Japanese promotion Rizin Fighting Federation are reportedly working an openweight MMA tournament for later this year, and one man who is especially eager to be part of things is former Pride champion Wanderlei Silva.
Silva is currently suspended from competition by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) until the spring of 2017 for refusing to comply with a random drug test back in 2014, but it seems Wanderlei is set on competing in Japan before his suspension is up as the Asian nation is outside the NSAC’s jurisdiction.
“I feel honored to represent Rizin,” said Silva at a recent Rizin press conference. “I’d like to ask for an openweight division, to give the chance for every fighter in the world who believes they can come here and defeat Wanderlei Silva to try it. We have the most aggressive rules in the world, and under those rules I can fight anyone.
“Stay ready, Wanderlei Silva is here. I will stomp the face of those who try to fight me, I will knock everyone out in this tournament. At openweight, I’m ready to face anyone, from any weight.”
The first round of Rizin’s openweight tournament is expected to take place in late September at Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.
