- Ufc Announces New Japanese Tv Deal

Swizzie · 10-13-2008, 02:45 PM

- UFC ANNOUNCES NEW JAPANESE TV DEAL - MMA WEEKLY - Mixed Martial Arts & UFC News, Photos, Rankings & more

The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Monday announced that it has reached an agreement to return to television in Japan. The promotion has signed a new two-year deal with WOWOW.

WOWOW will telecast all UFC pay-per-view events starting with UFC 89: Bisping vs. Leben taking place live from the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, England. The UFC 89 live card will begin at 8 p.m. GMT in England and will telecast on WOWOW following a short delay at 12 Midnight JST.

“The Japanese market has always been important to the UFC, and we want to bring MMA and all of its biggest stars back to Japan,” said Dana White, UFC President. “We are thrilled to be back with WOWOW.”

“WOWOW is extremely pleased to announce that UFC is back on WOWOW, starting with the UFC 89 event in Birmingham, UK,” said Mr. Kazuyuki Omura, Chief Producer, WOWOW. “The UFC will telecast in High Definition on WOWOW’s popular 'Timely-on-Air' format, a limited delay broadcast adjusting the airtime to a time that will be convenient for the sports fans in Japan. After airing over 50 UFC shows from 2001 to 2007, we are excited to once again provide our subscribers with the most prominent mixed martial arts program in the world.”

DBHK · 10-13-2008, 03:08 PM

About time that shit happened....possibly some more weight on those struggling Japanese organizations like DREAM and WVR. Now the UFC needs to get some Japanese stars that will really boost their ratings.

Swizzie · 10-13-2008, 03:12 PM

Something tells me we will see Akihiro Gono fighting a lot more. Same for other asian fighters like Yoshida and Dong-hyun Kim.

The UFC only wants the best asian fighters, not just the flashiest.

DBHK · 10-13-2008, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Swizzie

Something tells me we will see Akihiro Gono fighting a lot more. Same for other asian fighters like Yoshida and Dong-hyun Kim.

The UFC only wants the best asian fighters, not just the flashiest.

Think about how many viewers will turn into Wandy/Rampage III, as well as Shogun/Coleman II. All those guys were huge draws for PRIDE, even w/o top Japanese talent, I think the UFC is going to do well broadcasting over there.

Relentless · 10-13-2008, 05:19 PM

this sucks for DREAM and WVR big time