WOWOW to broadcast the UFC again

Kamipro.com had an interview with a chief producer of WOWOW (PPV company in Japan). WOWOW restarts to air the UFC starting in October.
- WOWOW starts broadcasting the UFC.
We finally signed a contract with the UFC on July 11. I knew this news had been rumored before we officially announced it. We used to air the UFC. We wanted to maintain our contract, but unfortunately the negotiations were broken off and we stopped broadcasting after the UFC 70 in April, 2007.
- Dana White kept saying he had been negotiating with WOWOW for long time.
They approached us again in 2008. We were planning to show the UFC in HD starting April of 2007; although, the UFC terminated the contact. I remember we were very surprised and disappointed.
- PRIDE fighters started to fight in the UFC at that time.
We received much feedback from MMA fans asking us to broadcast the UFC again, yet our negotiation didn't go through. The UFC overrated the Japanese MMA market.
- Was their asking price an issue? I found out the price between the UFC and Korean PPV was very reasonable.
We had several issues including the price. Our economy has been very slow comparing to other Asian countries, such as India and Hong Kong. Regardless of the fact of our economy and the MMA market the UFC considered that they could get a better deal with us.
- Are you going to show only PPV events in the US or all the UFC events?
We are basically going to show all numbering events. Their PPV packages are 3 hours. We will condense into 2 hours by picking up 5 to 6 fights.
- Who do you think is viewers of the UFC?
Boxing is popular in 50 to 60 years old guys. MMA is popular in 20 to 40 years old guys. I want to drag boxing fans into MMA and also get female viewers.
- Don't you show TUF and WEC?
We don't for now. We will broadcast numbering events for a couple of years and will consider showing TUF and other events. I suppose TUF played an important role to make the UFC major in the US; however, now events are already popular in the world and I don't see any necessity to show TUF.
- Do you see any difference of the UFC fighters now comparing to fighters before?
I think so. It's hard to get a chance to fight in a title match now. We will show exciting fights in HD.
- We watched past good events on computer. We sometimes had bad Internet connections and missed moments which fighters finished their opponents.
I understand what you experienced. We are going to show good fights which we missed in August and September. We are going to pick only famous fighters and good fights, and so I'm sure everybody enjoy.

http://www.kamipro.com/column/?id=1216393799
http://www.kamipro.com/column/?id=1216531030
http://www.kamipro.com/column/?id=1216520003

KID is ready for an operation.

KID Yamamoto updated his blog.

I went into a hospital to take an operation today. They are surgeons who take care of my knee. I'm getting nervous. This is the first step to come back to DREAM.

Joachim Hansen interview

DREAM official website posted an interview of Joachim Hansen on July 30. This interview was taken place on July 22.

- Congratulations! Now you are a DREAM lightweight champion as well as a winner of the tournament.
Thank you. I'm very happy and relaxed. I'm walking with light steps every day now.
- I suppose it was a great day for you yesterday.
My dream came true. By good luck, a favorable wind arose toward me and I didn't miss a chance. I'm appreciative of my teammates, fans and my family.
- You came here to fight in a reserved match.
I concentrated a fight with Black Mamba and didn't think about anything else when I was training. Frankly speaking, I had a slight hope to fight in the final somewhere in my mind.
- Is it hard to condition yourself mentally for the final?
No, I don't think so. I was fully relaxed after my fight with Mamba. A DREAM staff came in and told me that Eddy defeated Kawajiri but he was injured; therefore, I got a chance to fight in the final. As soon as I heard that, I was all pumped up for a fight with Aoki quickly. I believed in myself that I could get a belt and revenged Aoki.
- In front of the audience, Alvarez said you were the only fighter who could take his place in the final.
Eddy came to see me before the final and wished my luck. I received a positive spirit from him.
- You two get along with each other?
We are good friends outside of the ring. I didn't know him before we fought in DREAM.3. We had an opportunity to talk after our fight and became friends. We may hang out with when we both retire from being pro fighters.
- Did you talk to him after the final?
Yes. He congratulated me on defeating Aoki. He said that I deserved this belt. In response, I told him that I wanted to fight him first to defend my belt.
- What did you think about Aoki? You fought him in 2006.
He is a good fighter. He is a clever and dangerous fighter for others. I suppose he is one of the top grapplers in the lightweight. I didn't see how much he developed himself in last 2 years, to be honest. I improved myself a lot since we fought. Another reason I could defeat him was my second gave me proper advices.
- What do you use a prize for?
I haven't thought about it yet, but I want to make use of wisely.
- Tell me about your next goal.
I want to defend this title over and over again and keep this forever. See you in my next fight. Thank you.

Gomi is in an intensive training

Gomi udpated his blog.

It's summer! Beijing Olympic is starting shortly. We have a very hot summer here in Japan. I accidentally saw Olympians from Australia today and we had light workouts together. I wish I could participate in Olympics. They were very cheerful and cool guys. I heard Australia was in winter now. I didn't know Australia had the winter season.

I hadn't checked my weight for months. I checked my weight today and made sure if I stayed in 73kg or not. It's time for me to train hard with full of energy.

I always bring comic books and games to the intensive training.
http://yaplog.jp/gomitakanori/archive/21

Gomi faces Seung Hwan Bang

SENGOKU had a press conference and announced fights in SENGOKU 4 on Aug 24. Takanori Gomi faces Seung Hwan Bang, who is a current DEEP lightweight champion.

Gomi:
I saw a couple of his fight videos. His fighting style reminds me of my style in SHOOTO. I consider that his weakness is a groundwork. I wonder what fans want to see in our fight. Do they enjoy if I take him down on the ground? I doubt it. I will built up my stamina to be able to fight in standing position all rounds. I'll train hard and I will be absolutely sure to win on Aug 24. I'm glad to fight my last fight in my 20's in the main event.

Seung Hwan Bang:
I'm very excited to fight Gomi. I'm a striker and will do my best to KO him.

http://www.sengoku-official.com/pc/topics/2008/07/24_201.html

Gono called an ambulance.

Gono updated his blog.

I had a high fever last night when I came home from training. I couldn't sleep and walk straight. I didn't have anybody who I could ask to take care of me. I got nervous about my condition and didn't know what to do. So, I called an ambulance. I'm actually ashamed of what I did now. In the ambulance, my temperature was over 40.00 degrees (40C is about 104F.)

My tonsils are swollen very bad still. I took a picture of the tonsils. I think this pic is very gross, but I have been requested to post..........

Aoki's column from kamipro.com

Aoki's column was updated on July 23.

I experienced a lot in this tournament. Even though I couldn't get a result I wanted, I have no regret about my performance because I did my best.

I lost because I was weaker than Hansen. All I can do now is to train hard and to be stronger. I cried after the fight because I knew my fans and supporters, who were looking forward to seeing me winning the tournament, were disappointed. In addition, when my teammates told me that I did my best, more tears came up to my eyes.

I couldn't achieve my goal this time; however, I definitely come back and get a title sometimes soon. I improve myself and I know I can be better fighter. No matter what other people say, I'm the one who represents DREAM!

~ He got a reward of $29K(JPY3000000) for his performance in the final. ~
http://www.kamipro.com/column/aoki.php?id=1216817149