Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Koji Takeda Added to Bellator MMA vs. Rizin NYE Event

Dec. 31’s joint Bellator
MMA and
Rizin Fighting Federation card has added an intriguing
lightweight matchup as Gadzhi
Rabadanov will take on Koji
Takeda.

Rabadanov (18-4-1, 3-0 Bellator) is looking for his fourth
consecutive victory as he prepares to compete in Japan for the
first time in his near 10-year career. The Russian is coming off
back-to-back decision victories over Jay-Jay
Wilson and Bobby King.
In his promotional debut, Rabadanov crushed Daniel
Carey via first-round knockout.

Order UFC 281 “Adesanya vs. Pereira” exclusively on ESPN+

Former Deep lightweight
champion and suplex-machine Takeda (15-3, 5-3 Rizin) will aim to
pile up his third consecutive triumph. Recently, Takeda forced
Bellator MMA alum Zach Zane to
tap due to armbar at 3:35 of their clash at Rizin 39. Prior, he
upended Johnny Case
on all scorecards at the end of their battle at Rizin 37 in
July.

Rizin
40 will go down at the legendary Saitama Arena near Tokyo. The
card will feature an all-time double headliner as A.J. McKee
faces Roberto de
Souza in a 155-pound clash and Patricio
Freire collides with Kleber Koike at featherweight.