Jerome LeBanner (RFF)Jerome LeBanner Returns to MMA, Meets Baruto Kaido on RFF’s NYE Card José Youngs December 16, 2015 Bellator, News, Spotlight Rizin Fight Federation has announced the return of kickboxing great Jerome LeBanner in a super heavyweight matchup with former sumo wrestling star Kaido “Baruto Kaido” Hoovelson. FOr LeBanner (3-2 MMA; 81-22-2 kickboxing) this marks his first appearance under in an MMA bout since 2010 when he lost a unanimous decision to Judo medalist Satoshi Ishii. Prior to the defeat, LeBanner had scored three consecutive knockouts, all under the K-1 promotion. The 42-year-old has faced and defeated every major rival of his generation in the kickboxing ring over the course of his 20-plus year professional career. Ih his most recent bouts, LeBanner emerged victorious with second round knockout over Claudiu Istrate, retaining his I.S.K.A. world super heavyweight in the process, and a unanimous decision over Karl Roberson. Hoovelson (0-0 MMA, 431-213-102 sumo), who stands 6-foot-6, 425 pounds, is a monstrous specimen who competed as a professional sumo in Japan between 2004 and 2013. The bout with LeBanner marks Hoovelson’s MMA rules debut. Just two years into his career, Hoovelson reached the top division in the sport, eventually winning a championship in 2012 and earning five awards for fighting spirit.