UFC 100 to Air in Korea; Akiyama and Kim Leading the Way

by JA Yount on Jul 5, 2009 7:03 PM EDT Comment 9 comments

UFC 100 is quite possibly the most important event in the history of Korean mixed martial arts. While broadcast in over 100 countries, Korea stands alone in having unlimited potential as a new market to be explored by the company.

While South Korea's Super Action TV has aired UFC events in the past to little success, the most watched non-Korean MMA product was Japan's Pride FC. With the purchase of Pride, Zuffa replaced the product with their own original UFC shows. The minimalist entrances, and lack of Pro-wrestling like production somewhat hurt the company. There has been one man however that stands alone as a virtual juggernaut of a ratings draw for the UFC, 'Stun Gun' Dong Hyun Kim (11-0-1) .

Originally posted at MMA Spot

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I deleted most of it since you had reposted the whole article

I also put the content from MMA Spot inside a quote box.
thanks for posting.
I recommend adding some original commentary and an image next time.

Follow me on Twitter @KidNate

by Kid Nate on Jul 5, 2009 7:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m not Korean so I’m not entirely sure what effect having Dong Hyun Kim and Akiyama in the UFC will have. All I know is that they are two of the more exciting fighters at their respective weight classes and I’m happy to be able to watch their fights.

by Ahhhoki on Jul 5, 2009 8:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm teaching in Korea right now

Akiyama is like a national treasure over here. His commercials are on TV all the time, and girls lose their minds when you even talk to them about him. He was born and raised in Japan, but people here are VERY serious about his Korean heritage- the vast majority of people I talk to only know him by his Korean name (Choo Sung-Hoon). Stun Gun is definitely a hero to Korean MMA fans, but he’s not nearly as household a name as Akiyama.

"The wise have something to say, the foolish have to say something."

by PistonHyundai on Jul 5, 2009 10:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs