http://jp.ufc.com File under: things that make you go "hmmm..."

http://jp.ufc.com

File under: things that make you go "hmmm..."

almost 3 years ago Chris Nelson 21 comments 1 recs |

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by Chris Nelson on Apr 25, 2009 1:01 AM EDT reply actions

Hasn’t Ryo Chonan been released, or was that a rumor?

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by Scott C. Broussard on Apr 25, 2009 2:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Haven’t seen anything about that. There was a lot of speculation that he’d be cut if he lost to T.J. Grant but I have a hunch the UFC will keep him around for the time being. He always puts in a good effort, he’s valuable in the Japanese market, and they’re probably not paying him all that much.

by Chris Nelson on Apr 25, 2009 2:09 AM EDT up reply actions

He’s an absolutely excellent gatekeeper. They should keep him around just for that.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Apr 25, 2009 3:39 AM EDT up reply actions

It'd be in their best interest to keep him

He did lose a SD, afterall. But I’d prefer him to go back to Japan so I can actually watch him fight on a broadcast.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Apr 25, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

He makes 18k/18k. Not that cheap.

http://www.fourouncestofreedom.com

by Tim Burke on Apr 25, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting.

I don’t think that’s bad for Chonan. He’s got a decent following in both the States and Japan – they probably make half that back selling his undercard fights on the website.

Plus they don’t usually have to pay him his win bonus… :-\

by Chris Nelson on Apr 25, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Weird that they wouldn’t put Uno on a banner. He and Akiyama would probably be the fighters most recognizable to the Japanese public right now. I doubt they’d know who the other four guys up there even are unless they’re hardcore fans.

by ilostmydog on Apr 25, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m guessing they don’t have Uno’s spray bottle / gray background picture ready yet.

by Chris Nelson on Apr 25, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Just poking around the site...

Nothing much up yet, but there are 4-5 neat little videos with Akiyama doing photo shoots / interviews / backstage at UFC 97 in Montreal. If you’re a dork like me and want to archive this stuff, grab the Download Helper plug-in for Firefox and you can snatch the .wmv files.

by Chris Nelson on Apr 25, 2009 1:16 AM EDT reply actions

i thought they're giving up on this?

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by Anton Tabuena on Apr 25, 2009 1:38 AM EDT reply actions

i suggest them putting up wanderlei between those guys.. he may not be japanese but the japs love them some wandy.

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by Anton Tabuena on Apr 25, 2009 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions

They have given up, straight from Lorenzo’s mouth.

The UFC will never go back to Japan, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t try to suck money out of the country in other ways.

by AnonymousA on Apr 25, 2009 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions

That’s obviously not true. They are not going back for now, but if you think they aren’t laying the ground work for it eventually, then you’re not seeing out far enough.

by cyph on Apr 25, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

This.

There might not be any immediate plans to enter Japan, but you can bet your ass it is still a long-term goal.

They’ll probably launch their Asian invasion from the Philippines & South Korea and try to build up brand equity in the Pacific Rim that way. Once their Philippine/Korean business is established, they might have enough stroke to pull off a Japanese TV deal and invade Japan.

by Steve4192 on Apr 25, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m beginning to wonder if they’re waiting for TV to die as a medium, just so they don’t have deal with those networks.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Apr 25, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, I shouldn’t have said “never” because it’s an absolute.

But I think it’s been made pretty clear that UFC has little chance of returning to Japan. This has been documented extensively since this whole story started to break. Reason’s they won’t go to Japan include…

1. UFC has no brand recognition in Japan, with most Japanese being completely unaware that it even exists. This stems from their not having a viable television option.

2. The arenas in Japan are extremely territorial, and they are typically very difficult to do business with.

3. Mixed Martial Arts is on the decline in Japan anyway, so it would be senseless to break into a falling market.

And after Lorenzo said explicitly that they were no interested in Japan….I have reason to believe Japan is off the table for a long time.

But like I said, I’m sure the UFC is more than happy to try to bleed some money out of the country in other ways.

by AnonymousA on Apr 25, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

They aren’t going to buy PRIDE FC either. Oh wait…

by natyong on Apr 25, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Just because they aren’t doing a live event in Japan any time soon doesn’t mean that they aren’t going to try and sell their product in Japan or that they aren’t building up to something.

by who me on Apr 25, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions