The long-awaited Labor Day showdown between Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi is finally taking shape.
The champions will compete against each other for the first time in 15 years on September 2 for the special Netflix live event. Chestnuts vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beefin an attempt to determine once and for all who is the absolute champion of hot dog eating.
Netflix confirmed to DECIDER that actor Rob Riggle and WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia (formerly known as Nikki Bella) will co-host the competition, with Cari Champion and Chris Rose calling the match.
The main event will also be preceded by two preliminary cards.
Matt Stonie, YouTuber and winner of the 2015 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, will face an as-yet-unannounced opponent. Guinness World Record holder Leah Shutkever will also be competing.
All of this will lead to the long-awaited showdown between Chestnut and Kobayashi, who have forged an epic rivalry that was recently narrated in 30 for 30: The Good, the Bad, the Hungry.
“In all my years of competitive eating, Kobayashi stands out as my fiercest rival,” Chestnut said in a statement. “Competing against him pushed me to be even better. I know the fans have waited a long time for another chapter in our rivalry and I can’t wait for our big showdown live on Netflix. It’s time to give the people what they want!”
Amid rumors of his retirement, Kobayashi maintained that he will not go anywhere until he has the opportunity to beat Chestnut once and for all.
“I will only retire after I knock him out one last time,” he said. “This rivalry has been brewing for a long time. Competing against Joey live on Netflix means fans around the world can watch me knock him out.”
Chestnut currently holds the world record for eating 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Kobayashi currently holds 10 world records and is a six-time champion of Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Contest.
Chestnuts vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef It will be broadcast live from the HyperX Arena Las Vegas.
This is the last live sporting event the streamer has offered after this year’s. The Netflix scandalUp next, Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will face off in a live boxing event later this year.
Chestnuts vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef It will stream live on Netflix on September 2 at 12pm PT.
