Rizin Fighting Federation put on its third event earlier this month in Japan, and is planning an openweight MMA tournament for later this year. Dates, locations and fighters that will be a part of the grand prix are not set yet, but Wanderlei Silva volunteers to be in action.
Suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission until the spring of 2017, "The Axe Murderer" requested to be in the tournament during a recent press conference in Japan.
"I feel honored to represent Rizin," said the former Pride champion. "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.