Is anyone here from the Far East or India?

I'm very curious to discuss the prevalence of mixed martial arts in places like Japan, China, Korea, India, Thailand, Cambodia, The Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia.

As to if people even know what mixed martial arts is or the UFC? Are they fans? Are they passionate about their hometown fighters? Is it growing? Staying the same? On a decline?

Any input would be appreciated.

Oh, also.

Is One_FC really booming? How popular is it really there? Same for Super Fight League? I've been wondering this for a while.

Is Pride as legendary to the far east as it is to most of us on here?

Thailand in my experience.

Mostly Muay Thai. Pro MMA bouts are illegal (not sure about Amateur bouts though, but I suspect they are not allowed either).

Few schools teaching MMA, mostly in Phuket. One or two in or near Bangkok.

Most of Thais who sees an MMA match the first time in Thailand takes it as a Muay Thai fight and are confused as hell when it hits the mat. Comments about their stand up skills range from "they not good" to "Maybe they need train more. If he fight Thai he lose". They lose interest real quick. Also they generally take striking on the ground as a big insult in a pro fight.

Number of Thais really interested in MMA? Roughly none on a country scale.

Sub'd, vtfu for a cool thread.

I live here in Japan ( well Okinawa) and training martial arts is common there are several gyms here on the island. My Mma gym has a lot of passionate fans for pride and dream but know who the main UFC fighters are. Overall I would say the UFC is not promoted here well, so it's not a common thing. Daisuke hanazawa helps out when he is around, so he is the local celeb so I would say they love the local fighters Phone Post 3.0

Can I convince you to invite your friends and teammates to watch FOX Sports 1 with you ( Prelims too ) and you writing us on how the received it afterwards?

I would love that if you would. Not sure if I'm asking too much though. OSU!

Also the amateur fights here are kick boxing while standing and grappling on the ground, so no striking on the ground and no elbows for pros as well.... Phone Post 3.0

Uhh slight problem, I don't speak Japanese , so I usually talk to them through this one guy who speaks a little English, I did invite them over for a pay per view once but honestly it was awkward as shit and silent, but ill get someone to ask them Phone Post 3.0

Learn Japanese then ask, that's my homework for you in the next couple weeks.

Uhhh.... Ok? Phone Post 3.0

Sarcasm >.>

Yeah I got it.... The guys who came over for the pay per view loved it though Phone Post 3.0

In India they are showing UFC events on Sony Six now and SFL events on Star Sports. So I'm guessing that the Indian fanbase will slowly increase.

I'm in touch with a couple of Indian MMA fans and these guys are MMA fans and not just UFC fans. They've followed Pride and Shooto in the past also and watch One FC. The enthousiasm for the SFL is still quite low as far as I can tell.

Some are even writing about MMA now: http://mmanewsindia.com

Interesting thread. Also curious about this. TTT

I know they show UFC on cable in Korea, but only the hardcores watch it because of the time difference when it plays. Phone Post 3.0

I live in Shenzhen China and have lived in Cambodia in the past. In my experience I have met very few local MMA fans in both China and Cambodia.

good thread

 

I was just in south korea and mma is def popular there..I saw a bunch of cigano nike shirts and .though oddly enough I think Benson is bigger than Korean Zombie there.

 

It is shown for free on a channel called super action


first cambodian mma org was started earlier this year...they seem to be doing events every weekend



 



 

although there are a few different orgs in Korea, Road FC being the biggest, im honestly shocked ufc hasn´t gone there yet.  

Cool thread, in.