Ex-UFC champ Shane Carwin to return for Japan's Rizin FF

          • Brett OkamotoOct 27, 2016, 12:43 PM
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              Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: "Chuck and Tito," which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
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          Shane Carwin will officially return to competition as part of the Rizin FF Grand Prix on Dec. 29 in Saitama, Japan.

          The Japanese promotion announced a deal with Carwin on Wednesday. The 41-year-old is the final entrant into a previously announced Grand Prix tournament at Saitama Super Arena. His opponent has not yet been announced.

          "Japan is one of the most prestigious countries for not just the sport of MMA but martial arts, in general," said Carwin, in a statement released by Rizin.

          "The legends of the sport have fought in Japan and for [Rizin CEO and former Pride Fighting Championships head Nobuyuki] Sakakibara, and it is an absolute honor to be chosen for this event and to fight in an arena with so much history."

          Carwin (12-2) has not fought since June 2011, but he announced his intention to return to the sport earlier this year. He ultimately severed ties with the UFC, for whom he fought six times from 2008 and 2011.

          Last weekend, Carwin, who fights out of Denver, teased a potential signing with Rizin, as well as a fight against Russian icon Fedor Emelianenko. That matchup, however, did not materialize.

          The Rizin FF Grand Prix actually started on Sept. 25, but it culminates in a series of bouts from Dec. 29 to 31. In addition to Carwin, former Pride stars Mirko "Cro Crop" Filipovic (31-11-2) and Wanderlei Silva (35-12-1) are scheduled to compete.

          "I am excited to return to the sport of MMA, and I am also excited to be signing with Rizin," Carwin stated. "I'm ready to help take the company to the next level. I want people to remember me for my fights in Rizin, and for Rizin to be remembered as the promotion that overtook the UFC. After I win this Grand Prix, fans can be excited about the great future that is to come."