LeBanner (photo via Rizin FF)

By FCF Staff

Rizing Fighting Federation’s debut cards will not be short on spectacle, as the new promotion has announced that renowned kicker Jerome LeBanner will take on former sumo star, Kaido “Baruto Kaido” Hoovelson on December 31st. The bout will be contested under MMA rules.

The 42 year-old LeBanner (3-2 MMA; 81-22-2, 1 NC (65 KO’s) kickboxing) hasn’t competed in a MMA bout since 2010, when he was decisioned by Satoshi Ishii.

The 6’6 tall, 425 pound Hoovelson will be competing in his first pro MMA bout.  Hoovelson went 431-213-102 in sumo competition.

The New Year’s Eve event will take place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Fedor Emelianeko will return to the ring in the main event. The former PRIDE champ’s opponent has yet to be announced.