UFC to Japan next Spring is sure thing?
by Omasuki on Sep 7, 2008 12:47 PM EDT
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Below are rough translation from recent Japanese sports tabloids.I am wondering why I have not seen any of this in US MMA news sites and blogs.
I started to see a series of these news in tabloids this week. As a fan I get the impression that these came really out of nowhere and hard to believe at first look.
Hope someone pick this up and investigate.
Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta told the reporter about thier plan to hold an event in Japan next Spring. White mentioned names such as Kazushi Sakuraba and Yamamoto Kid Norifumi of Dream, and Hidehiko Yoshida and Takanori Gomi of Sengoku, and asserted that fans would love to see if they are stronger than UFC fighters or not. White further suggested Gomi vs BJ Penn and Kid Yamamoto vs Uriah Faber matchups would be likely. "Yamamoto vs Faber is my priority. And I would advice Gomi not to waste his prime time "
Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta of UFC suggested making offers to Takanori Gomi of Sengoku and Kid Yamamoto of DREAM in the near futute. Acknowledging that Gomi and Yamamoto are the most attractive Japanese fighters, they told they want to hold the event in Japan next Spring, which was previously slated to be held next Summer They further suggested that for Gomi and Yamamoto, one-match contract would be negotiable.
Sengoku representative: "We intend to let the fighters do what they want to do".
Keiichi Sasahara, Event Producer, Dream: "All I can say right now is it is Impossible. However, if asked, we do not intend to reject to have the discussion with UFC.
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They broke the story on this side of the Pacific, and continue to follow it closely
What a joke!
Does anybody believe that these Japanese fighters really want to fight what the UFC and WEC have to offer. Why would Gomi allow himself to be humiliated in front of all his loyal fans. Especially since neither BJ Penn nor Urijah Faber (regularly) smoke pot. Or do they?
I told you I can't build your candy house! It will fall apart, the sun will melt the candy, it won't work!
Does everybody understand why Dana is willing to negotiate a one fight deal with these guys and not with Fedor?
Because Fedor could actually win — Gomi & Yamamot COULD NOT!
I told you I can't build your candy house! It will fall apart, the sun will melt the candy, it won't work!
I think it has more to do with money. If the UFC gains the Japanese fans – the UFC will be on their way to dominating the sport to the tune of like 90% of the market if not more.
The UFC was supposed to be on their way to gaining the Japanese market when they purchased PRIDE, but for whatever reasons it didn’t happen as expected.
"My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions." --George W. Bush, The Decider, Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007
by lovingmma25 on Sep 10, 2008 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
if Penn gets beat up by aoki — would that help the ufc? I think that might actually help dream — although I’m not sure about that.
I told you I can't build your candy house! It will fall apart, the sun will melt the candy, it won't work!
I’m not saying that the UFC would gain these fans by way of the UFC fighters losing to the Japanese fighters, I am saying that the fights would probably be very exciting, marketable, and promoted to the max.
"My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions." --George W. Bush, The Decider, Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007
I think that organizations like DREAM & Sengoku appeal to a different audience.
The Rules, the Ring, the so-called “style” of fighters in Japan are all pretty different from what the UFC has to offer. It’s possible that if DREAM gets bought out, like PRIDE did, a new Japanese organization will spring up. I love the 10 minute round, the kicks to the head, the no elbows to a downed opponent (this rule would make it harder for a guy like koschek and easier for a guy like hazelett). I don’t want those things to change and the Japanese don’t either… I think?
I told you I can't build your candy house! It will fall apart, the sun will melt the candy, it won't work!
The UFC doesn’t need the Japanese market, but it would bring in a broader, more intelligent audience and fulfill Dana’s prophecy of mma becoming bigger than soccer.
"My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions." --George W. Bush, The Decider, Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007
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