The draw for the tournament brackets were live streamed through the RISE YouTube channel with reactions from the fighters on their tournament draws. Perhaps the most competitive division in the sport and with the quality of the tournament lineup, the draw was always set to be a huge deal among kickfighting fans internationally. With many fans making predictions for the brackets prior to the draw.
The tournament will take place on December 21st at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan as a collaboration between GLORY and RISE.
The GLORY Featherweight champ Petchpanomrung is set to face former RISE Lightweight champ Taiju Shiratori. A fight between two southpaws, Petchpanomrung could experience some trouble with the length and stance of the Japanese fighter, although many expect the GLORY champ to win in that fight.
Fan favourite Berjan Peposhi is set to face the relatively unknown and always underestimated Korean fighter Lee Sunghyun. Both fighters thrive in the pocket, exchanging shots, which will make for a very entertaining, grindy quarterfinals match between the two if neither side are able to hurt the other. If the fight goes to decision, it is unlikely that the winner of the fight will be able to progress to the finals with the damage taken.
The other side of the bracket appears on paper to be much more competitive, with four title contenders in the mix.
Former RISE Lightweight champ and top contender Kento Haraguchi will face off against one of the tournament favourites Miguel Trindade. A fight that many consider the toughest quarterfinals of the tournament, it is assumed that whoever wins in the bout will be worse for wear going into the semifinals, as both men are known to exchange knockdowns with their opponents in their fights.
RISE Super Lightweight champ Chadd Collins faces off against fellow heavy hitter Abraham Vidales in a pick 'em fight where both fighters could meet the canvas at any point in the match. Collins is also the only featherweight to beat GLORY champ Petchpanomrung since Robin van Roosmalen in 2017.
The event will be broadcasted on ABEMA for free.
