Japan once had more mma fans than USA. Was it just a Japanese fad like K 1?
No, MMA isn't as popular in Japan now as it was during the K-1 and PRIDE boom period, but they still have smaller shows like DEEP, Pancrase, etc. and of course the bigger RIZIN shows, but they don't draw the huge PRIDE or K-1 attendances or TV ratings.
No, the Kakutogi fad is just a thing of the past for the most part.Is it due to more competition?
There is no RIZIN boom. They are doing OK TV numbers, but nothing mind blowing.Not like it used to be but it definitely has an audience. Rizin has had a boom in popularity over the last couple of years and seems more stable now then it was then.
Boom might not have been the right word to use but from what I have read the scene is in a healthier spot then it was a few years ago. I'm from the West so admittedly I'm not the most informed on it, though as a fan I try to keep my ear to the ground.There is no RIZIN boom. They are doing OK TV numbers, but nothing mind blowing.
Japan once had more mma fans than USA. Was it just a Japanese fad like K 1?
No, the Kakutogi fad is just a thing of the past for the most part.
Sure, no one is debating that. I even mentioned the regional promotions and such, but it's nowhere near as popular as it was during the Kakutogi boom.Quite the opposite, MMA is very much popular. All the orgs have been developing fighters and making a few steps forward since the pandemic.
There has been a huge increase in followers on every level for RIZIN since the start of the pandemic. Go look at their YouTube page.There is no RIZIN boom. They are doing OK TV numbers, but nothing mind blowing.
Boxing is bigger than pro wrestling and mma and kickboxingJudo and Sumo always the main sports in Japan. Then Pro-wrestling and MMA.... though baseball is up there too..