Yuki “Submission” Takahashi will compete at Polaris 39 on October 3 at The Dome in Doncaster, England, where he will face Shay Montague for the vacant bantamweight title.[1][4]

The matchup is listed as a bantamweight title fight on the Polaris 39 main card. The event will stream exclusively on FloGrappling.[4][5]

From EBI Champion to a Polaris Title Shot

Takahashi won EBI earlier this year in February and then faced Diogo “Baby Shark” Reis at ONE Championship in May.[3][7]

Takahashi lost that match by 0-3 decision, but later reflected on the experience by highlighting the speed of the scrambles and the level of grappling he encountered against Reis.[3]

Polaris announced in September that Takahashi would return to the promotion to challenge Montague for the vacant bantamweight title. The bout is also listed as a title match on the official Polaris 39 card.[4]

Opponent: Shay Montague

Shay Montague is an IBJJF No-Gi World Champion who has also competed in UFC BJJ.[3]

In a pre-fight interview released by Polaris, Montague predicted that he would finish Takahashi with a reverse triangle.[6]

Polaris 39 Takes Place on October 3

Polaris 39 will take place on October 3 at The Dome in Doncaster, England.

The prelims are scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m. JST, with the six-fight main card starting at 3:00 a.m. JST on October 4.[4]

The main card also includes Eoghan O’Flanagan vs Tommy Langaker at light heavyweight and Kywan Gracie vs Danny Mitchell at middleweight.[4]

The event will stream live on FloGrappling.[4][5]

Keith Krikorian Match Also Set for November

After Polaris 39, Takahashi is also scheduled to face former EBI champion Keith Krikorian at THE OKINAWA INVITATIONAL in Okinawa on November 21.[3]

Krikorian won EBI at lightweight last year, making the matchup a meeting between champions from different EBI weight classes.[3]

Sources

[1] 【Polaris39 & THE OKINAWA INVITATIONAL】高橋Submission雄己が語る、ベイビーシャークとポラリス王座戦。そして――「今なら間に合うかもしれない」 — MMAPLANET

[3] 【Polaris39 & THE OKINAWA INVITATIONAL】高橋Submission雄己が語る、ベイビーシャークとポラリス王座戦。そして――「今なら間に合うかもしれない」 — MMAPLANET

[4] Polaris 39 — Polaris Professional Grappling / FloGrappling

[5] POLARIS 39 Official Trailer | Live on FloGrappling — Polaris Professional Jiu Jitsu Invitational

[6] Shay Montague is calling a reverse triangle finish — Can he pull it off against Yuki Takahashi? — Polaris Professional Jiu Jitsu Invitational

[7] Diogo Reis Moves Up To Bantamweight For Clash Vs. Yuki Takahashi At ONE Fight Night 43 — BJJ Eastern Europe