Many MMA journalists, especially Yahoo Sports’ Dave Meltzer, have chronicled the decline of MMA in Japan.
Even before Pride was bought out by Zuffa, they experienced a significant drop in their television ratings. Now the FEG backed Dream promotion has been having trouble drawing an audience as well.
On top of that, news that native stars, Yoshihiro Akiyama and Satoshi Ishii might sign elsewhere forecasts a bleak future. However, due to the results from New Year’s Eve, things might be looking up.
Read moreGegard Mousasi and Alistair Overeem win big for MMA in Japan