By Thinesh John
First reported on and by MMA-Japan.com, DREAM, a famed promotion based in Japan, has officially ceased its operations.
This news has clearly rocked and stunned the Mixed Martial Arts scene, although many had anticipated this outcome after plans of a mid-year show by the promotion, had halted. It was well-worth noting that DREAM’s future had indeed looked dreary, with attendance levels down. Moreover, the organization’s inability to clinch important TV-deals eventually contributed to their downfall too, while sources have also reported that employees of the promotion have resigned.
Now, although things do look like it’s no Jekyll and all Hyde, there are a few positive news for sure.
MMA-Japan.com recently reported that the Japanese-based promotion is just ‘re-structuring’, after the organization had contact with HDNet’s Inside MMA. Apparently, the head honcho of the organization, Hiroyuki Kato, was funding the entire promotion from his own pocket. Kato had to also pay fighters on his own and through the revenue he received from the shows, following the departures of several sponsors.
For some time now, DREAM was undoubtedly in the upper echelon of Professional Mixed Martial Arts competition. The promotion last held its event at Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo, Japan on New Year’s Eve. The event was headlined by Heavyweight king-pin Fedor Emelianenko, who knocked-out Satoshi Ishii in front of a capacity crowd of 24,600 spectators. The co-main event featured Evolve MMA’s Shinya Aoki, who retained his LightWeight strap by decisioning Satoru Kitaoka.
However, MMA wasn’t the only sport that took centre stage. The 8-hour long event showcased a myriad of bouts that included Pro-Wrestling and Kick-Boxing too.
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