Ali Akbar Rosady
Former RIZIN Lightweight Champion Roberto "Parana" Satoshi has expressed strong approval for the burgeoning co-promotional alliance between Japanese mixed martial arts powerhouse RIZIN Fighting Federation and the Professional Fighters League (PFL), a partnership that now also encompasses MVP MMA (Most Valuable Promotions). Satoshi foresees this collaboration as a catalyst for unprecedented "dream fights," particularly those contested on North American soil, and a significant boon for the sport’s global landscape.
The strategic alliance between PFL and RIZIN is set to culminate in a landmark featherweight title unification bout on July 28th at Super RIZIN 5, where PFL’s A.J. McKee will challenge RIZIN’s Razhabali Shaydullaev for both organizations’ 145-pound belts. This event marks a pivotal moment, establishing a precedent for future cross-promotional contests and potentially opening pathways for champions from both promotions to compete against each other. Satoshi, who is slated to face Shunta Nomura on September 10th at RIZIN Landmark 6 in Osaka, Japan, holds aspirations of reclaiming the RIZIN lightweight title and subsequently engaging with top PFL talents such as Usman Nurmagomedov, Paul Hughes, Alexandr Shabliy, and Gadzhi Rabadanov.
"I think it’s really cool when you stop and think about the fact that RIZIN is doing something no other promotion has done," Satoshi informed MMA Fighting. "Bringing two promotions together, merging them like that, happens quite often in boxing. Having the world champion from one promotion fight the world champion from another promotion, like A.J. against Shaydullaev, is really good. It’s really cool."
The PFL’s expansion strategy has been notably aggressive, including its recent acquisition of Bellator MMA, which has significantly broadened its roster of world-class fighters and its global footprint. The inclusion of MVP MMA, co-founded by professional boxer and social media personality Jake Paul, further diversifies the promotional landscape, potentially injecting new audiences and innovative event formats into the traditional MMA sphere. This multi-organizational collaboration stands in stark contrast to the historical reluctance of major MMA promotions to engage in cross-promotional matchups, a practice that has largely confined championship bouts to within a single organization.
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Satoshi elaborated on the potential benefits for all stakeholders, stating, "The fighters can only benefit from it, the promotion can only benefit from it, and the fans benefit too, because there are so many matchups we’ve always dreamed of seeing. How many fights did we imagine back when Bellator was at its strongest, with their champions fighting UFC champions? It would be a dream to be able to fight overseas, in the United States. My entire career has been here in Japan, so it would be really cool." His sentiment underscores a long-held desire among fans and athletes alike for true "best vs. best" scenarios, transcending promotional boundaries.
Roberto "Parana" Satoshi (15-4-0, 1 NC) is a highly regarded Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt renowned for his grappling prowess. After a dominant run, he captured the RIZIN Lightweight Championship in June 2021 by submitting Tofiq Musayev. He successfully defended the title once before losing it to Luiz Gustavo via TKO in December 2023. His professional career, predominantly contested in Japan, has established him as one of the country’s premier lightweight talents. A potential move to compete in the United States, as envisioned by Satoshi, would represent a significant milestone in his career, offering new challenges and exposure on a global stage.
The PFL lightweight division, which Satoshi eyes for future matchups, boasts an array of formidable talent. Usman Nurmagomedov (17-0-0), the reigning PFL Lightweight Champion, is an undefeated force known for his dynamic striking and grappling. Paul Hughes (11-1-0) is an emerging contender with a strong all-around game, while Alexandr Shabliy (24-3-0) and Gadzhi Rabadanov (20-4-2) are seasoned veterans with extensive experience and impressive finishing rates. These athletes represent some of the most competitive fighters in the 155-pound division globally, making Satoshi’s aspirations for these matchups compelling.
Adding further intrigue to the Japanese MMA scene, legendary grappler Shinya "Tobikan Judan" Aoki is also returning to RIZIN, with an appearance slated for an upcoming event. Aoki, a former DREAM and ONE Championship Lightweight Champion, will make his first RIZIN appearance in over a decade. Satoshi acknowledged Aoki’s enduring legacy and the long-standing fan desire for a matchup between them. "People talked about it a lot because when I had the RIZIN belt and he had the ONE belt," Satoshi noted, highlighting the historical context of fan interest. "Then he went through a rough patch, lost two or three fights in a row, and kind of took a step back, but there was a time when people talked about that matchup a lot. There’s not much I can say other than he’s a legend."
Aoki (48-13-0, 1 NC) is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Asian MMA, having carried the Japanese lightweight division for many years. His career spans multiple major promotions, including DREAM, ONE Championship, Strikeforce, and Bellator. Despite some mixed results in recent years, his jiu-jitsu remains world-class, and his name still commands significant respect. "In Japan, at lightweight, he was the guy who carried Japanese MMA for a very long time," Satoshi continued. "He didn’t have the best performances when he took a chance and went over to Strikeforce, but there’s not much to say, he’s a legend. Obviously, he’s getting older now, but that doesn’t mean his jiu-jitsu isn’t still sharp. He still has the name, and he’s still the same guy he always was, you know?" A potential grappling challenge between Satoshi, a jiu-jitsu specialist, and Aoki, a master of submissions, would undoubtedly capture significant attention.
Satoshi’s immediate focus, however, is on his September 10th bout against Shunta Nomura at RIZIN Landmark 6. The Kyocera Dome Osaka will host this pivotal lightweight clash. This marks the third occasion RIZIN has scheduled this pairing, providing Satoshi ample time to formulate a comprehensive strategy. Nomura (9-3-0) is an emerging prospect in the Japanese lightweight division, notable for his distinctive karate-based striking style and fast movement. He holds a significant victory over current RIZIN Lightweight Champion Luiz Gustavo, a fact that elevates the stakes of his encounter with Satoshi.
"I’ve been studying him for a long time," Satoshi affirmed. "I know he has a tricky style, he uses that karate style, getting in and out, and has very fast movement. But it’s a fight that interested me. He’s a new prospect coming out of Japan and he’s already beaten the two Brazilians in the lightweight division, so it’s an interesting fight." Nomura’s victories over Gustavo and other top contenders have established him as a legitimate threat within the division.
As a jiu-jitsu specialist, Satoshi has historically faced opponents who prioritize avoiding grappling exchanges. However, he indicated a broadened approach for this upcoming contest. "Avoiding grappling exchanges is the game plan of everyone I’ve fought so far, but I’ve also been training a lot of striking. I’ve been building my confidence. I think we’ll be able to have an interesting fight, not just a striker vs. grappler type of matchup." This suggests Satoshi aims to demonstrate a more well-rounded skillset, moving beyond his renowned submission game to engage Nomura in striking exchanges.
The current RIZIN Lightweight Champion, Luiz Gustavo (14-2-0), is a powerful striker known for his knockout ability. RIZIN has yet to announce Gustavo’s next title defense, making the outcome of the Satoshi vs. Nomura bout highly impactful for the division’s championship picture. Both Satoshi and Nomura hold wins over Gustavo—Satoshi having submitted him in 2022 before Gustavo reclaimed the title in their rematch, and Nomura having secured a decision victory. This shared history positions their upcoming fight as a de facto title eliminator.
"You could basically call this a title eliminator. Whoever wins has a very good chance of getting a shot at the belt," Satoshi stated, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming contest. "I think this fight is very important because I’ve become a veteran now. Nomura is one of the younger guys coming up, so I want to show that I still have my place here and that I can still make another run at the belt. This fight is very important for that. If I win, the path to the title becomes much closer and much easier." For Roberto Satoshi, the September 10th clash with Shunta Nomura is not merely another fight; it is a critical juncture in his career, offering a direct route back to the RIZIN Lightweight Championship and potentially opening doors to the international "dream fights" he so eagerly anticipates under the new RIZIN-PFL-MVP alliance.
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