RIZIN signs Shane Carwin & Tatsuya Kawajiri Former UFC interim heavyweight champion Shane Carwin announced on Reddit. that he has signed a contract with Rizin FF and in addition, former UFC featherweight Tatsuya Kawajiri has also signed with the promotion according to MMAFighting. Carwin (12-2) hasn’t competed since a 2011 unanimous decision loss to Junior Dos Santos at UFC 131. The 41-year old also mentioned the signing was not entirely motivated by money because he was offered a richer contract from Bellator as he explains in this Reddit post. “I had better offers from a money stand point. Bellator made the best offer. It just was not entirely clear that they wanted me as much as I wanted them to want me.“I made an agreement to fight Fedor but he did not agree. I have been told by several matchmakers that that fight is a unicorn and they do not see Fedor taking it. Maybe I can just go help him train for the next one. Still a fan! He is still GOAT HWT to me. I am excited to return to the sport of MMA and I am also excited to be signing with Rizin,” the statement reads. “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. So on December 29th it begins.” Kawajiri (35-10-2) has lost three of his last five fights and went 3-3 in the UFC. The 38-year old returns to Japan for the first time since 2012, where he competed for PRIDE, DREAM, K1 and SHOOTO. Kawajiri asked for his release from the UFC earlier this month. Gold medallist Kayla Harrison signs with WSOF Two-time Olympic judo gold medalist Kayla Harrison is competing in MMA after all according to a report from USA TODAY Sports. Harrison (0-0 MMA) made the decision to sign with WSOF and will made her on-air debut with the promotion at WSOF 34 on December 31st. The 26-year old won gold medals at the 016 Rio de Janeiro and 2012 London Games. No word on who she will make her MMA debut against.
