With openweight tournament planned for 2016, Wanderlei Silva wants to stomp some faces at Rizin

Rizin Fighting Federation put on its third event earlier this month in Japan, and is planning an openweight MMA tournament for later this year. Dates, locations and fighters that will be a part of the grand prix are not set yet, but Wanderlei Silva volunteers to be in action.

Suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission until the spring of 2017, "The Axe Murderer" requested to be in the tournament during a recent press conference in Japan.

"I feel honored to represent Rizin," said the former Pride champion. "I’d like to ask for an openweight division, to give the chance for every fighter in the world who believes they can come here and defeat Wanderlei Silva to try it. We have the most aggressive rules in the world, and under those rules I can fight anyone.

"Stay ready, Wanderlei Silva is here," he continued. "I will stomp the face of those who try to fight me, I will knock everyone out in this tournament. At openweight, I’m ready to face anyone, from any weight."

Silva, who also signed a contract with Bellator, expects Rizin to become the number one mixed martial arts promotion in the world in near future.

"We will soon become the biggest promotion in the world," said the 39-year-old veteran, who hasn’t fought under MMA rules since a thrilling second-round knockout win over Brian Stann in 2013. "We have the best fighters, we have the best promoter, and will become the biggest promotion in the world soon."