Good article on the ufc Japanese presser and the problems this show will have. http://www.fightopinion.com/2011/09/05/ufc-japan-return/comment-page-1/#comment-98774 They are starting a show at 10am local time. Madness!!!
There have been many sporting events start at crazy times so as they fit in with world TV commitments. Not ideal but usually totally $$$ driven.
They may well of been. But to go to Japan, a country where the UFC has no presence, has no tv deal and has no japanese stars and then say to the Japanese come to our show at 10am to satisfy tv viewers back in America is crazy. The hardcore MMA fans will go but I aint convinced the casual Japanese fan will. What will be funny is if those underground figures that have always been involved in the fight industry in Japan make there presence felt.
This is doomed before it starts imo The Japanese love a big spectacle and a Home grown hero who's at the top of his game to root for The UFC has neither. And a 10 AM start too
There's a reason the likes of Gomi and Akiyama jumped **** to the UFC, JMMA isnt as popular as it once was. And I cant see the UFC being successful trying to sell the Asian fans back something they already rejected, for want of a better word Unless they do something unique and crazy like a Stun Gun v Brock main event I cant see the UFC format doing well out there And I lost an avi bet
The first show may do ok just because of the new attraction factor but longterm I dont see the UFC having any real presence in Japan. The MMA scene is dead and foriegn promotion wont bring it out fo the slump. Its going to have to be a Japanese organisation which does that. UFC will probably be similar to how the WWE is in Japan. Run 1 or 2 shows a year drawing say 10,000 fans and then going home. You have to remember when Pro-wrestling was very popular in Japan even Vince Mcmahon with all his money couldnt get the WWE very big in Japan. A lot of people assume Brock would be a draw in Japan but history suggest otherwise. When brock was in New Japan prowrestling he didnt draw a dime. With him as champion New Japan drew there lowest crowd ever to the Tokyo Dome. Lesner didnt generate any money for New Japan!!
If Brazil is a birthplace for MMA then Japan has to be something significant also. Akiyama, Okami etc will be on the card no doubt.
Difference is UFC had a tv deal in Brazil and also ran a show with a brazilian fighter being #1 fighter in the world as well as having other Brazilian fighters on the card who can win. The UFC has no Japanese stars. The fighters they have are past it in Japan and have done nothing in the UFC. The formula in Japan has always been the homegrown fighter does well at home, he then goes on his travel to fight elsewhere and become a champion. He then goes home to fight as the Japanese hero who went away and won. Even if Okami beat Silva it wouldnt of mattered much as Okami has never done anything in Japan.
I agree. The Japanese they took over are good but either overrated or no longer at their best. I still think a card full of Gomi etc could sell. 10AM start is disrespectful to say the least. You are in my country catering for my money not vica versa. IF UFC want to learn from boxings mistake then don't insult the locals. How often do Europe have a big fight catered for yanks. Its insulting.
Its not done them any harm in Australia or Brazil, both of which had start times amended for the American audience. And no actually...any UFC show is being bankrolled by the American audience - either via pay per view or television. Therefore it should be scheduled at a time to maximize their interest.
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