PhotoCred: UFC
RIZIN planning featherweight world Grand Prix in the fall, new free agent Spike Carlyle ‘somebody to consider’
RIZIN is getting ready to roll with its 2021 schedule come March. Further down the road, big plans are in the works — including another Grand Prix.
Just this past week, the UFC released 12 fighters from its roster — one of those being featherweight wild man, Spike Carlyle (9-3) who immediately set his sights on Japan.
“The UFC was a great experience and great opportunity. I loved it,” Carlyle said on Instagram. “But people who truly know me know that my heart’s desire has always been to fight in Japan, [and] that is my goal. I think God may be ordained everything to happen as so because who knows if I would’ve won my next fight — which I know I would’ve won my next fight — or if I would’ve stayed with the UFC, I might never have the opportunity to go to Japan.
“I’m no longer a UFC fighter. I’m a free agent. My dream and No. 1 desire is to fight for RIZIN, possibly Bellator because they co-host events and that way I can do the best of both worlds. The goal is to become a Japanese champion and fight the American champion, a RIZIN-Bellator combination so hopefully, it comes together.
“I’m trying to get on the March 14 card in Tokyo so we’ll see what God wants to do.”
During his brief three fight stint in the UFC, Carlyle went 1-3 departing off of back to back losses for the first time in his 11-fight career. As mentioned by “Alpha Ginger,” RIZIN’s first show in 2021 will take place in March, just no longer on the 14th.
Initially, the promotion had scheduled a historic show set to take place in the world-famous Tokyo Dome. However, the continuous battle against COVID-19 has since forced the event’s postponement. RIZIN 27 will instead take place in Nagoya at the Gaishi Hall with the Tokyo Dome show hopeful for some time in the first half of 2021.
RIZIN 27’s first batch of fight announcements will be revealed at the upcoming press conference on Feb. 12. Meanwhile, RIZIN President Nobuyuki Sakakibara has shared exciting plans for the year — some of which could include Carlyle and various others around the globe if lucky.
“To be honest I do not know about him too much,” Sakakibara told Tom Taylor regarding Carlyle. “But I hear that he has a big desire and passion towards fighting in Japan which I appreciate. My matchmakers tell me that he is unique and is quite a character so he may be an interesting fighter to bring over here. Right now Japan is still closed off to international travelers but we have big plans once the borders open up so Spike may be somebody to consider. We are planning a world Grand Prix at featherweight starting in the Fall, and our team are constantly looking out for interesting fighters and champions across the globe who may fit the bill. Our world Grand Prix’s have always delivered exciting fights, and have produced champions that get recognition globally. We intend on doing the same this year.
“Whoever thinks they have what it takes to become the Grand Prix champion for 2021, do not hesitate to reach out to us!”
