Tapping Out With TBerg 10.24.08: Episode II-Return To Samurai Land

Posted by Todd Bergman on 10.24.2008

It's time for the UFC to tame the Land of the Rising Sun, and I've laid out how they can do it. I will let you know who needs to be on the card and who needs to be signed in order for this show to be a success. No longer will we as fans tolerate boring cards from overseas. Plus, Gina Carano returns to defend her hotness title. Leave your inhibitions at the door because your Tapping Out With TBerg.

When you think of Mixed Martial Arts, most people instantly think of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. While the UFC has become insanely popular here in the United States of America, they still have a huge opportunity in the overseas market. In this edition of "Tapping Out With TBerg" I will let you in on how the UFC can be successful in Japan without alienating their American Fans.

LETS GET TO TAPPING

Awesomely Bad Quote for Episode II
"I was doing this when the prize was going to jail, not winning belts" Tank Abbott

Joining the Teletubbies
Eight years have passed since the UFC visited the Land of the Rising Sun. The Japanese market is certainly a valuable place in the grand scheme of world domination for the Zuffa-owned company. However, they have chosen to visit places like Europe and Canada and have even planned an event in the Philippines in 2009. One could chalk this lack of visiting up to the abundance of competition, but the UFC hasn't had a strong competitor in Japan since they bought out PRIDE a few years back. While DREAM and World Victory Road certainly are quality promotions, they aren't quite the caliber of the UFC. Maybe it was a comfortable TV deal that would allow for the UFC and the TV companies to share in the revenue. That deal was struck early this week with a prominent TV company, WOWOW, which reaches more than 2.4 million viewers in Japan.

With a TV deal secured, what's next?
With one giant hurdle out of the way, it appears that the UFC will be returning to Japan in 2009 and will need to produce a strong card to not only entertain the Japanese crowd but to also hold the attention of the American audience. So, for that to be possible, the UFC must offer this show either live on Pay-Per-View or on SPIKE TV. It's very important for this show to air live and on numerous replays because of the American-Japanese time difference. Most hardcore-MMA fans will take the time to tune in regardless of the early hours, and the replay would allow an opportunity for the people who have to work, etc. Something that also could be added would be a showing of all the fights instead of just the main card. This was a popular feature of PRIDE that set them apart from the UFC. All of the fighters would have an opportunity to make a decent name for themselves and viewers would have a chance to watch their favorite fighter, even if he was on the under card. Another thing to consider would be the drawing power of the fighters on the card. I think that if the UFC goes to Japan, they might as well try to get some fighters on the card that are pretty popular over there. Here's a list of 5 fighters that the UFC should try to sign if this card takes place.


Shinya Aoki
Aoki is a legit Top 10 fighter in the 155 lbs division and he is extremely popular in Japan. He has the ability to pull a submission out of nowhere and that leads to some extremely exciting fights. Americans are still looking for someone to fill the void of Royce Gracie, and Aoki is about as good a candidate as they come. Plus, he wears some sweet stretchy pants.



Mach Sakurai
Sakurai has already had one appearance inside the UFC's Octagon back in '02 in a loss to Matt Hughes. While he didn't win his debut, he has long been rumored to be returning to the UFC. Some of these rumors are pretty strong rumors like the one featured last year involving a fight between him and Diego Sanchez in New Mexico. These rumors didn't come true, but his inclusion in this event is a must. The Japanese fans love his ground and pound abilities along with his clever personality.



Yoshihiro Akiyama
Akiyama appears to be Japan's #1 villain as of late, and that always equals ratings and butts in the seats. He's an extremely dangerous striker and has tremendous ground skills. He burst upon the scene with a devastating KO victory over Denis Kang. That's the kind of fighter that Americans pay to see, and, regardless of how the Japanese see him, he can perform at the very top level.



Kazushi Sakuraba
If you're going to be in Japan, then the "Gracie Hunter" must be involved. Sakuraba made his UFC debut back in '97 where he actually fought the same guy twice. The first time around, the fight ended with premature stoppage (insert joke here), and then he won the restarted fight. Saku is to Japan what Ric Flair or Hulk Hogan are to the WWE. Saku is insanely popular and a role model for the soon-to-be fighters training in Japan. Maybe a third showdown with Royce Gracie could end up on the card. I think that's a match up that people would want to see again.



FEDOR
He's questionably the world's best fighter and he's always toyed with the thought of fighting inside the Octagon. This could be Dana White's best chance to land "The Last Emperor." His style is terrifying to opponents and delightful to fans, and the well-hidden American fans could see him in all of his greatness.

Now that we have figured out who the UFC should sign to fight on the card, let's take a look at who the UFC could offer up to make the show more than just filler for the crowd.




Rampage Jackson
For obvious reasons, I've included Rampage Jackson onto this card. You could easily substitute Wandy here, and I guess you could say that the winner of their upcoming fight gets on this card. Either way, Americans will have a chance to see an awesome UFC fighter back in their old stomping grounds.


Anderson Silva
Japanese fans haven't had the opportunity to see the brand new fighter that Anderson Silva has become. The last time he fought over there, he was submitted by the dreaded "Flying Heel Hook of Doom!!" Things have certainly changed for Silva most of all his rise to the top of the UFC's Middleweight division. It could almost go down as redemption for Silva to prove himself in the country that he was humiliated in before he retires.






Forrest Griffin
He's the definition of hard work and sticking with a game plan. Some would say that he is the epitome of the American dream. One would have to think that the Japanese fans would fall in love with this guy and his never say die attitude. He's one of the best examples of how a UFC fighter should handle his business inside and outside of the Octagon.



Georges St. Pierre
GSP is the best, pure all-around fighter in the UFC and extremely marketable to boot. It's hard to imagine the crowd not falling in love with his vicious striking during the fight and his supreme class after the fight. If they don't love him for those reasons, then they will for his sweet break dancing abilities.



Randy Couture
Fedor has to fight someone right? Why not feature this match up in Japan? It would certainly add to the attendance and the American buy-rate and viewership. Randy is one- of-a-kind and will be looking to put his nasty contract dispute behind him. Whether this match up is for a title or not doesn't even matter.

If that wasn't enough, the UFC also could put some of their WEC talent on the card as well. People like Filho, Pulver, and Faber would be excellent to see as well. The only way that this card could be messed up is if the UFC decided to play cautious and not come out guns blazing. It's time the UFC put some real motivation into their overseascards and just not TUF fighters mixed in with hometown guys.

TAP THAT OF THE WEEK
The millions have voted Gina Carano the winner of last week's match up against UFC Ring Card Girl Arianny. So this week, Arianny's former partner on the cards will step up and take a shot at the champ. This week's challenger is currently the cover-girl for this month's issue of Playboy. Rachelle Leah, step up and face the public.



The rules from last week still apply. All you need to do is add a comment and select the winner. If someone is lucky enough to win 4 weeks in a row, then we will retire their bra and panties in the rafters high above the 411mania.com battlefield.

Please remember to support your local MMA and keep that tapping hand strong. I'm off to Chicago for UFC 90, the city of lovable..err..just losers.

Credits: PRIDE.com, sherdog.com