This content is protected This content is protected - Sunday, 8 January 2012 http://translate.google.de/translat...asien/news/mma-in-asien-im-jahr-2012/&act=url This content is protected In retrospect, the year 2011 was very eventful for the sport of MMA in the Asian region. With (among others) earthquake-induced long break from DREAM and the debut of One FC and strengthening of Legend FC seem to have power shifts occurred, but how will it continue? As a major player in terms of media coverage was one FC draw much attention and have some talent from the region of a stage, particularly on the Evolve the team was well represented. Measured by the "hype" One FC still remains to prove guilty of selfsame worth, what is apparently now trying to catch up. Not only was announced for March, an event in collaboration with DREAM, but also the commitment of well-known fighters like Renato Sobral, Bob Sapp, Rolles Gracie and emerging talents such as Felipe Enomoto. While Sapps is the best time probably almost ten years ago and he probably will only fulfill the role of the rate Bringers and Rolles Gracie to prove to one fighter to be world class, not guilty, is the obligation "Babalus" as a challenge to all established MMA operators to understand. Worth mentioning is that one strives for FC with the "One FC Network" an Asia-wide cooperation with other organizations (including the URCC, DARE, FC ROAD). Almost secretly in the slipstream of DREAM, the set Sengoku Raiden Championships and apparently also set "Art of War" series has the Hong Kong-based event series Legend managed FC to build a remarkable roster and get an Asia-wide TV contract secure with KIX plus PPV's in North America and Australia. In contrast to FC One focuses Legend FC currently on local fighters from the Asian and Pacific region and the lower weight classes. This raises the question whether Legend, which operate very strongly from the Chinese talent pool, can benefit from the highly popular "sports nationalism" in the Middle Kingdom. Also may be observed with interest how the partnership with CA Media, a renowned group in media and sports management, which focuses on India, China and Indonesia, the effect on popularity. Besides China, the Philippines, considered as a potential ground zero for the MMA sport in the Asian region. The UFC has, aware already Georges St. Pierre and BJ Penn sent promotional tour. For some time rumors are circulating about its own TUF Season. Regional broadcasters such as the "One FC Network" Universal Reality Combat belonging Championship (URCC) and based in Guam, the Philippine market in aggressively pressing organizers Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC) are still on the rise. In Thailand, Korea and also to try the "One FC Network" belonging DARE ROAD FC Championship and to generate talent for attention to tournaments. M-1 could also celebrate a return to the Asian market. Vadim Finkelstein (CEO of M-1 Global) has already expressed a strong interest in further cooperation with DREAM, and Victor Cui (Managing Director of One FC) would like M-1 as a member of its "One Network FC" have. All in all, one can adapt to a year in which many points are made: Will Asia again a center of the MMA world as it was to weddings from PRIDE or a minor sideshow, at best, as a lucrative market for the UFC in consideration comes.
There is a huge gap in the market that someone must fill. If K1 and Dream don't step up then there is a huge asian market, huge kickboxing market and a tonne of guys getting cut from the UFC and SF. There is also fresh talent that could be picked up. Done right and if someone attacked the market correctly then there is no reason another Pride rival could not be established.
As much as many fans **** on JMMA the fan support is still there. DREAM had 23,000 in attendance at NYE. That still pistol whips most UFC shows. All they need is money and fighters. Both of which are hard to come by now.
Theres a bevy of top fighters coming out of Europe, this is where M1 comes in. OneFC seems to have the money and connections also to get things moving and Dream has the know how of producing top shows. All Dream needs now is a major broadcaster like they did in Pride. K-1 will be back to normal in the coming year so thats great also.
I NEED K1 back. I look forward to the GP and it punctuates each year with the best and most ferocious striking all in one night.
Same here. The one thing that MUST stay is the K-1. If that goes to wall completely it would be a sad sad day. Plus i love watching Gokhan Saki!
Yes but you have to remember that wouldnt be the paid attendance. Meltzer reported it was only 7000 paid which isnt too great. Japan needs homegrown stars. The problem is without TV its very hard to try and build new stars. Network tv turned down the NYE show which shows just how much work needs to be done just to get the fight scene moving again. The hope was Ishii would be the guy but from day that didnt work as the Japanese just didnt take to him. You have to remember as well that the Japanese fight game has always had illegal cash involved in it. The Tokyo police are trying to close in on these characters and the question is whether the money marks who operate within the underworld see value anymore in putting money into the business.
I generally take what Meltzer says with a big scoop of salt, but that's interesting to know. Why such a large discrepancy when there was soo many in attendance? And Ishii will never be a star. He doesn't have the personality, character of fighting ability. Plus the Japanese hate hi,
It may of been more than 7000 paid its just I doubt it was 23000. Japanese promotions have always released 'worked' attendance numbers. Not saying they are never telling the truth but usually when an event has no buzz going into it and then a promotion claims a high attendence you can be sure the number they are saying isnt the real number. And yeah what the Ishii thing has done is show people that in Japan its simply not just about being an olympic champion or MMA champion. You need personality, you need charisma and you need to entertain. The Japanese can take a guy losing.
Those were the numbers Schiavello gave. Plus judging by what i could see on TV it was more than 7000 easily.
Oh yes def more than 7000 in attendance no doubt about that but 23000 paid is where the discrepancy is.