Rizin Match-Ups You'd Like to See in December?

With the conclusion of Rizin's HW grand prix first round, we're now set for the second round set to take place on December 29. What are the fights you'd like to see on that card?

Naturally, we're getting Cro Cop vs. Wanderlei, as has been announced. The rest of the first-round winners are: Baruto, Jiri Prochzaka, Valentin Moldavsky, Amir Aliakbari and Szymon Bajor. 

Now, when you include Cro Cop vs. Wanderlei, that's seven fighters. Cro Cop was originally reported to get a first round bye, so unless there's someone I'm missing, Rizin needs to bring in one more HW. With the fighters we know will be on the card, the match-ups I'd like to see are:

Cro Cop vs. Wanderlei
Baruto vs. Moldavsky
Aliakbari vs. Prochzaka
Bajor vs. TBA

And what would the card be without the rest of its regulars/stars to round it out? 

Some people I'd like to see fight on the next card are:

Daron Cruickshank
Gabi Garcia
Andy Souwer
Kron Gracie
Rena 
Krazy Horse

Let's start with Cruickshank. At 2-0 in Rizin, there are a few fan-friendly match-ups out there for him. Of course, there's the Shinya Aoki fight that he's willing to do as well as what the Japanese fans want to see. He could also fight Krazy Horse, as they're similar in weight. That could be an entertaining fight, and it would be a big name-win for either fighter, I feel. The dark horse match-up that no one has talked about for Cruickshank would be: Takanori Gomi. With his latest loss, he'll probably be cut from the UFC. Gomi is a big star in Japan, and would really help with Cruickshank's rising popularity in Japan. 

Garcia is a little tougher, as it's tough for Rizin to keep finding girls around her weight class. If anyone thinks of any good opponents for Gabi's next fight, post it here. :)

Now, for Souwer, I would want to say Shinji Sasaki. Both have lost to Cruickshank in Rizin, so they have that in common. Still, Sasaki is more of a ground specialist, and Souwer got wrecked on the ground in his last fight, so I can't see Rizin going that route. Maybe someone like Jonh Man Choi would be a good opponent. Not a lot of MMA experience (1-3), typically fights in Asia, and could be a good rebound fight for Souwer. 

If Krazy Horse doesn't fight Cruickshank next, I'd like to see him maybe fight Kron. That would be a logical step up for Kron, and would be a bout between two notable names. Although, any combination of the fights between Kron-Tokoro and Krazy Horse-Kimura would theoretically work. 

As for Rena, there was another Japanese girl, Kanako Murata, who fought on the card. Rena vs. Murata could be a fun match-up and step-up for Rena. Rena could also fight Kyra Batara, the girl who lost to Murata. Rizin would probably just be content with getting Rena on the card, so either of those match-ups could work.

Who else/what other fights would you guys like to see on the next Rizin card?

I like your suggestions but foresee Baruto v Bajor being up next, since Moldavsky's ties to Fedor probably preclude such a rough booking as him versus Baruto in round 2

Prochazka vs Baruto would be my personal booking preference for the sumo.  Classic JMMA huge guy versus fast guy matchup, and I could see Prochazka taking it via skill and evasiveness (or getting splattered, who knows)

Krazy Horse vs Hideo Tokoro sounds like it would be insane action

* Edited at 10.03.2016, 4:42 PM ET *

Mirko Cro Cop vs. Wanderlei Silva III (yesyesyesyesyes)

In-terms of tournament match-ups, I really think a fight between Baruto & Aliakbari has potential to be craziness. Moldavsky vs. Bajor, Prochazka vs. TBA. 

I think Krazy Horse should get another kickboxer. Put him in there vs. someone like Yuichiro Nagashima. I'd like to see Kron Gracie face Kleber Koike Erbst. Nuffff said.. Have Gabi Garcia fight the woman she was rumored to fight before Yarbrough was confirmed for the last event. Malyukova. OR throw all the Japanese monies at Svetlana Goundarenko. Not much options out there for her. 

Now, for the long shots. Shinya Aoki vs. Mateusz Gamrot. This would be so ******* cool. Bring back Peter Aerts for the **** of it. Let him beat up James Thompson. Or have him fight someone like Jaideep. Bring back Kohsaka. He looked surprisingly good vs. Thompson, and I'd like to see him fight someone. I don't care who. Cruickshank vs. Gomi is the right to make if Gomi gets his UFC release. Keep giving Cruickshank fun fights.I don't know who I'd give Souwer. I'll say.... Minoru Kimura? I know he had a touuuugh out vs. Krazy Horse. But two K-1 guys, and it could be fun, and a good showing, for both. Do Hideo Tokoro vs. LC Davis II in Japan. Just for the **** of it. 

Honestly, I don't know. I've put zero thought into it. But this was just me rambling. And when it comes to Fedor, if he's on one of the cards, I want to see him fight Bigfoot Silva or Shane Carwin. Fedor/Carwin is the fight I want. But as usual, I'm expecting the absolute worst. 

If Aldo gets his UFC release, which he won't, let him fight multiple people who are forced to be grounded the whole time so we can see some soccer kicks. Also, I want Michal Materla in Japan. Give me Materla vs. Ken Hasegawa. Pls. Ty. 

* Edited at 10.03.2016, 5:41 PM ET *

Baruto vs Mighty Mo, and gabi Garcia vs Jozette Cotton

Gabi Garcia vs Bob Sapp

It's RIZIN, why not.

@MMACylon Thank you, and good point regarding Moldavsky's ties to Fedor. 

@Tacos The returns of Fedor and/or Carwin at Rizin would be great, especially if one of them hops into the Grand Prix. That'd be sick. 

And excellent point with making Souwer vs. Kimura. I actually think that's the fight to make. 

Charles Bennett on the mma hour today. Shouldn't there be a law / system preventing someone like that from giving birth to kids ? Dangerous ... Let him and Wanderlei bang  after Wand crashes out of GP and after Bennet's NY bout  ( or Canderlei as Bennett kept saying )

@Tacos

Goundarenko is 47 and hasn't fought since May 2001.  There is no way in hell she is fighting Gabi Garcia.

Aha, I know. But it'd be something made right in heaven, basically. And I want it. 

As for fights I would like to see on the RIZIN New Year Cards, here are some of my ideas outside of the GP bouts:

Krazy Horse vs another K-1 Guy (HIROYA maybe)

Ken Hasegawa vs Henrique Shiguemoto

Aorigele vs Carlos Toyota (because freak show fights rule)

Kanako Murata vs Rin Nakai (Murata called out Nakai after her win over Batara)

Andy Souwer vs Daisuke Nakamura

Bibiano Fernandes vs Jose Aldo (if Aldo gets released by the UFC)

Benson Henderson vs Shinya Aoki

Anatoly Tokov vs Alexander Shlemenko

Slava Vasilevsky vs Michal Materla

Daron Cruickshank vs Ronys Torres

Yuki Motoya vs Magomed Bibulatov

RENA vs Shizuka Sugiyama

Heath Herring vs Shane Carwin (Herring stated he is fielding offers for a return fight and Carwin is a free agent)

Rampage Jackson vs Fedor Emelianenko (If Fedor does another fight in Japan, this is the fight I want to see)

* Edited at 10.03.2016, 9:40 PM ET *

@Tacos

It would be cool to see to be honest. If Goundarenko was in her prime and fighting Garcia, I think she would have a chance to beat her.

RENA probably fights another crossover star, RIZIN will put her in showcase fights that will pull the most eyes.

If Murata fights in December they will likely fly in a foreigner, I really don't think they will match her up against RENA any time soon, if ever. Also Rin is fighting next month and I'm not sure Pancrase is willing to lend her out.

Aoki doesn't seem to be on good terms with RIZIN so he is unlikely as well as he has a fight coming up.

I think Cruickshank vs Kron could happen, both 2-0 in RIZIN and roughly the same weight. Probably comes down to how marketable RIZIN think Daron could be. Kleber Koike Erbst would be interesting against Kron and his contract with KSW doesn't seem to be exclusive.

Shinji Sasaki is tentatively scheduled to challenge for A Sol Kwon's Lightweight ROAD FC belt in early December.

Tokoro vs LC would be a waste in RIZIN's eyes. Tokoro vs Krazy Horse would make a lot of sense since the Wanderlei/Krazy Horse fight doesn't seem like it's going to happen any time soon.

Ken Hasegawa is fighting in 2 weeks as a part of DEEP's Welterweight Grand Prix, depending on when they hold the next round (assuming he advances) he could be available.

Aorigele is headlining a ROAD FC event in November and is a big part of ROAD's Chinese market, doubtful he fights in RIZIN, especially in December.

Bibiano received an offer to fight on the last NYE event and wanted to, but ONE blocked him. KSW has publicly stated that they won't send champs or their top fighters so Materla is probably a no go.

I think Erson is almost a guarantee and maybe Kizaemon to be participating. Some of Fedor's guys like Vadim Nemkov and Sidelnikov will likely be back. Yuki Motoya is fighting later this month, could be a possibility, maybe against one of the ZST champs that Sakakibara has shown interest in (Seiichiro Ito and Go Kashiwazaki). They should try and get a few kickboxers again, specifically Takeru. He's a star.

* Edited at 10.04.2016, 2:09 AM ET *

Hornet, many of those are realistic except I doubt Aldo will be set free by the UFC.

I like all them... great picks... except for Gabby.... just not buying into her... frankly she is more a sideshow to me personaly.. Shes not terribly graceful... and once you see her size its kinda "over" really... at least for me anyways...  I still dont understand why she gained like 70 pounds...if she planned on fighting why would she do this? She just made finding opponents alot more difficult!! Thanks

@StreamFan Thank you! And I guess it's always entertaining to watch what will happen next, although I do admit it's a bit of a freakshow fight whenever Gabi steps in. Though Rizin doesn't seem to have the most balanced fights out there, they typically seem to put on a fun card, and Gabi gets people talking. Hopefully, they continue to put on good cards and keep building a talented stable of regulars.

he's even got a skillset unlike the Akebono types.  A slightly leveled-up freakshow, if you will.

would love to see him in Rizin, though who knows what kind of pay/contract stipulations are attached to the Chinese promotions he currently runs with

* Edited at 10.05.2016, 5:29 PM ET *