Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Tokyo will see the return of the legends series with Japanese black belt legend, Daisuke “Amazon” Sugie facing two-time champion Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro next weekend.
Sugie, 37, is a jiu-jitsu black belt legend representing Carpe Diem team and also a veteran MMA fighter with 18 bouts to his name.
“It is an honour for me to represent Japan at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam here in Tokyo,” said Sugie ahead of the bout at the OTA Gymnasium, Tokyo on Sunday 29th July.
“The Legends series in the UAEJJF events is very prestigious and invitational, so to be invited, I am really excited to face Vitor Shaolin, he has achieved everything in Jiu-Jitsu and MMA and it will be a thrilling match no doubt.”
Ribeiro, 39, has twice appeared at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship Legends series. In the 2017 edition, he choked Kenny Florian unconscious, before submitting Daniel Moraes.
“This will be my third time at the Legends series but fist time outside of Abu Dhabi, so that is a new experience, and to do it against one of the best in Japan, Daisuke, it a moment of pride,” said Ribeiro. “All I can say is, it will be a special match for sure and I would like to thank the UAEJJF for their first class organization and hospitality.”