Joe Ferraro & Frank Trigg to announce RIZIN Fighting Federation World Grand Prix 2017 PPV shows
Veteran “Showdown” Joe Ferraro and former MMA fighter Frank Trigg have been named announcers for RIZIN Fighting Federation World Grand Prix twin shows, highlighted by the return of combat sports superstar Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, December 29 & 31, airing live on pay-per-view from Saitama City, Japan.
The Dec. 29 and 31 (1 a.m. /10 p.m. PT start) will be live-streamed worldwide (excluding Japan on the FITE.TV platforms for $19.99 or the two-day RIZIN Pack special offer for only $29.99. Fans may simply download the FITE app – free to download from iTunes and Google Play – and then cast the fight to the big screen by using the instant stream-to-TV function. The FITE app works with any Wi-Fi connected television around the world, iOS and Android devices, as well as streaming devices such as Roku, Chromecast and more. Fans may also watch the fights live on the FITE website at www.fite.tv from any computer.
Integrated Sports Media will distribute via cable and satellite PPV on New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31 – 5:00 a.m. ET / 2:00 a.m. PT start) extravaganza live in North America via iN Demand, Vubiquity, and DISH in the U.S., as well as on SaskTel and Telus in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $19.95.
Ferraro will handle blow-by-blow responsibilities, while Trigg serves as color commentator. Ferraro has called multiple RIZIN events leading up to the conclusion of its World Grand Prix. Trigg, who is working this RIZIN twin-bill the same month as he made his debut as a UFC referee, was a popular fighter at the highest level of international competition, UFC and PRIDE.
The Dec. 29th winners of the men’s bantamweight quarterfinals will advance to the Dec. 31st women’s super-atomweight and kickboxing semifinals and then later in the finals. The Special Added Attraction on that card is a light heavyweight clash between Jiri “Denisa” Prochazka (19-3-0, 16 KO/TKO, 2 SUB), Czech Republic and. Karl Albrelktsson (6-1-0, 2 KO/TKOs, 3 SUB), Sweden.
The finals of the RIZIN World-Grand Prix kickboxing, women’s super-atomweight and men’s bantamweight championships will be preceded by three entertaining matches. Croatian heavyweight “Cro Cop” Filipovic (35-11-0, 27 KO/TKO, 5 SUB) takes on Japanese favorite Tsuyoshi Kosaka (27-19-2, 8 KO/TKO, 6 SUB) in a Special Added Attraction on the Dec. 31st card. Also, the long-awaited return of Japanese lightweight Takanori “The Fireball Kid” Gomi (18-6-0, 13 KO/TKO, 6 SUB) will be showcased in his throw-down with fellow countryman Yusuke Yachi (18-6-0, 5 KO/TKO, 1 SUB). A women’s match between American flyweights Shinju “Juju” Auclair (1-0-0, 1 SUB) and pro-debuting Chelsea LaGrasse is alsoon tap.
A special one-day kickboxing tournament will be held Dec. 31st between Japan’s Kazuyuki Fujita and Mitsuhisa Sunabe and undefeated knockout artist (20-0, 16 KOs) Tenshine Nasukawa vs. TBA with the winners facing off in the championship round on the card’s championship final.
All fights and fighters are subject to change.
