From the moment Rizin started their events, UFC stopped coming to Japan. Now they announced, after nearly 3 years, a new event in Japan in September. Coincidence? I think not.
Japan market just isn't that big for MMA so UFC doesn't feel the need to put shows there every year. Plus they reward countries they get good TV deals from.
Rizin has a show in july, september and two in december, idk what you're insinuating but you're pulling it out of your ass
Still around. They are only concerned with building their brand in Japan and both the UFC and Rizin could care less about each other.
They are refocusing toward a "Premiere Promotion for Japan by Japan". I'm sure they'll still bring in international fighters, but there is a clear Japan-focused shift happening behind the scenes. With promotions like Shooto, Pancrase, DEEP, Grachan, and GrandSlam, it makes sense. Japanese fans enjoy exciting international fighters... but they are ALWAYS Japan-First in mentality. I've also heard some rumblings on delayed fighter payments for international guys. Not the best sign.
They are 100% focus in the island.... they dont give a shit about what happens outside... they are going like all in with the ratings on TV
I believe the UFC needs to get silent partners for their shows in Japan, so that's why they don't do many there.
Softbank from Japan are big investors in both WME IMG and the UFC. The time difference doesn't match up to the US, so they don't do many shows in Asia, Australia in the Pacific rim does match up well around the afternoon while Japan would be about 9-10 am
Rizin definitely is wiling to exchange talents with Bellator just like Dream did with Strikeforce. I think Sakakibara and Coker have already done enough to prove the world that their shows are better than UFC. UFC has money and fame. They have unlimited human resources to fill up their rosters with, but they have no idea how to effectively use them. 85% marketing. Mediocre employees with business degrees, not Gracie degrees. NO passion for the sport. No understanding for the entertainment that hard-core fans who have been supporting the sport for a quarter century want. UFC is on the decline. The longer the fighters are with them, the worse they get as a fighter and human being. Jon Jones- repeated DUI collisions that could have killed men in Times SQ. Used cocaine, ran over pregnant woman and ran from authority. Very bad example and role model for the MMA community and black community. This guy should get banned for life and Dana White not doing anything is the sign that UFC is no longer under management of noble people. GSP- hit the road Frenchy. This former UFC champ sees UFO without getting drunk with Canadian cognac or cocaine. This is called hallucination, part of schizophrenic conditions. Please don't say your black belt came from Japanese Karate association. He never finished fights so he should join green peace instead of fighting organizations. BJ Penn- used to be a warrior. used to be a Hawaiian dream. now he's a mike stone's soul nephew who makes trouble with someone's wife and law enforcement. Terrible. Terrible. Conor McGregor- Chad Mendes exposed him 100 years ago and Nate Diaz completely outclassed him in everywhere the fight went and choked him out. They still promote the Irish hype because that's what white fans want more than anything. Not a bad fighter but without special treat, he shouldn't make it to the top of the rankings. Very bad talker who influences white kids in the wrong ways. Should not be tolerated. Feed him to Bobby Green at any weight and he would get his ass beat in the first round. His next job will be car wash specialist in hip hop video. Dominick Cruz- Took 3 years long vacation without a reason then took another over-a-year break soon after a come back fight. This guy violated labor law of ours and should not be tolerated. Tito Ortiz- traffic accident, domestic violence, duel patriotism, frequent uses of profanities, all fixed after he left UFC where he was spoiled like a baby. All decent champion-level guys in the UFC are PRIDE fighters. So many guys have got into trouble with the law and so many have been caught using PED. UFC reminds me of more criminals than fighters, more lawsuits than charities.