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<h3><a href="/go=news.detail&gid=288438" target="_blank">
Japanese MMA falls on hard times
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<a href="/go=news.detail&gid=288438" ><img class="photo" src="http://img.mixedmartialarts.com/method=get&rs=90&q=75&x=72&y=17&w=310&h=165&ro=0&s=shinya-aoki-12-21-10-19-15-58-527.jpg" /></a>
<strong class="ArticleSource">[sports.yahoo.com]</strong>
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Japan was the business center of mixed martial arts starting around 1997 and stayed that way for nearly a decade ... The big fighting stars were household names in the culture and the biggest events were must-see, network prime-time spectaculars. When the 6-4, 350-pound Sapp fought Akebono, the 6-8, 468-pound sumo grand champion on Dec. 31, 2003, 54 million people in a country of 128 million tuned in.
But it’s a different world today. Fighting, like many things in Japanese pop culture, was a fad. The novelty of Sapp, who was not a top fighter, ran its course. Sakuraba, who is generally considered a legend in the sport, was physically brutalized over the years by constantly fighting against bigger men. Most of the top foreign fighters left for the more lucrative U.S. market.
It’s not a secret that FEG (parent companyt to both K-1 and DREAM) has been battling financial problems stemming from the decline in interest in both kickboxing and MMA. Ratings are down. Attendance is down. Money is beyond tight. Fighters, who often have to wait months before getting paid after a fight, are looking to get out.
The most telling news about the scene was UFC’s signing of Dream’s biggest drawing card and best known current star, Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto, earlier this month. It’s hardly a secret in the industry that most of the top MMA names in Japan are making inquiries about coming to the U.S., where things are more financially stable.
For now, the company is attempting to finalize the New Year’s Eve bash at the Saitama Super Arena, just outside of Tokyo.
ScottCL - The stuff about KID is overblown. His popularity sharply declined after it became known he was a regular weed smoker and had the string of losses.
thats why mike kogan laments him leaving right?
Im not saying he isnt a loss for FEG, but it doesnt spell the end of times. If he had left FEG 4 years ago that really would have said something. Also Mike Kogan isnt much more in the know than us fans...
All the news about Japanese mma failing is really about FEG an Dream failing. Have we heard any news on Sengoku or DEEP or Shooto doing too terribly? I'm not being a smartass, im honestly asking.
I also missed the signing of Kid by the UFC. WTF? How did I miss that? At any rate, I love Japanese MMA. Love the ring. Love the fights. I hope the big orgs over there can pull it together.
There are plenty of places for the UFC to grow. I live in Korea and see the potential here. The UFC could be HUGE in Korea if they can get a few stars. It is already on basic cable and people watch it. Korea has a great culture for fighting sports. Everywhere I went during the Asian games people were watching Judo because Korea had some success.
China is the same way. China could be big if they can capture some successful Chinese talent. Not a Mongolian though, a true Chinese athlete. They are very nationalistic(much like ALL SE Asians). They take pride in doing well in competitions on the world stage.
India is another country where I am hearing there could be big success. Not sure what that is from, but it is one of those countries that is coming up more and more often.
Basically, the UFC is following the footsteps of the WWE. Whereever the WWE found success, the UFC can find success. There is a strong crossover audience. That is what we see happening. The UFC following their footsteps.
