The fight card for the upcoming Bellator X Rizin event this weekend has received some changes. Roberto De Souza is now in to face Patricky Pitbull while the other Pitbull, Patricio, returns to take on Chihiro Suzuki.
Bellator X Rizin Card Undergoes Changes
Injuries have forced officials with Bellator and Rizin to make some changes ahead of the co-promotion event this coming weekend.
Rizin lightweight champion Roberto De Souza will replace AJ McKee in the quarterfinals of the World Grand Prix, taking on Patricky Pitbull.
The event takes place Saturday from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, airing live on Showtime beginning at 11 p.m. ET.
The other change will see Pitbull’s brother, Patricio, return to battle kickboxing sensation Chihiro Suzuki.
Injury To AJ McKee Forces Change
McKee has been forced out with a medical issue, allowing De Souza that chance to fight for his shot. The bout will remain part of the ongoing grand prix, but will take place at 161 pounds. De Souza is 15-2 overall in his career.
Pitbull, a former champion, owns 24 wins and is looking to reclaim his lightweight title starting with his new opponent.
The 33-year-old De Souza is coming off a victory over Spike Carlyle and earned his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu from his father, Adilson De Souza.
Patricio Pitbull Looks To Rebound
The other Pitbull, the reigning featherweight champion, is coming off a loss for the bantamweight belt to Sergio Pettis.
Suzuki went 12-1 in kickboxing and has scored four knockout wins in his mixed martial arts career.
BELLATOR X RIZIN: Pitbull vs. De Souza:
Sunday, July 30 at Saitama Super Arena in Japan
SHOWTIME (U.S.) – July 29 at 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT
Lightweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinals: #2-Patricky Pitbull (24-11) vs. Roberto De Souza (15-2)
Inaugural Flyweight World Championship: Kyoji Horiguchi (31-5) vs. Makoto “Shinryu” (16-1-1)
Flyweight Bout: #3-Kana Watanabe (11-2-1) vs. #7-Veta Arteaga (7-5)
Bantamweight Bout: #4-Magomed Magomedov (19-3) vs.#5-Danny Sabatello (14-2)
Welterweight Bout: #5-Andrey Koreshkov (26-4) vs. #9-Lorenz Larkin (25-7, 2 NC)
