UFC President Dana White told MMA Fighting on Friday that Jake Shields has yet to officially sign with the UFC, but that doesn't mean plans for Shields' debut with the company aren't moving forward.
So confident is the company that Shields will soon be in the fold that his first opponent has apparently been selected. Two sources close to the situation have told MMA Fighting that Shields will likely make his first foray into the octagon against welterweight contender Martin Kampmann.
Barring any unforeseen setbacks, Shields' signing is expected to be finalized in the next several days as the UFC moves to populate upcoming events.
Share9 No date was given for his debut, but October's UFC 121, which takes place in Shields' home state of California, seems a likely possibility.
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Saturday, July 17, 2010
DREAM reports $230,000,000 backing...
DREAM's American representative says the Japanese promotion's prosperity depends not only on new capital, but a plan to spend it well.
And when that happens, DREAM hopes more fans will part with their cash.
Mike Kogan, Director of FEG USA, on Friday told MMAjunkie.com that the lucrative new deal between DREAM's parent company, Fighting and Entertainment Group, and Shanghai-based investment bank PUJI Capital is an important step in regaining MMA's foothold in Japan and the rest of the world.
But for DREAM to thrive, Kogan said it's crucial that the company converts some of its fanbase to "a paying public."
FEG, which also heads the preeminent kickboxing promotion K-1, recently announced that PUJI will stake the fight promotion company in an aggressive worldwide expansion effort – to the tune of up to $230 million U.S. dollars, according to the investment bank.
While the shape of the expansion is not entirely clear, FEG president Sadaharu Tanikawa said the effort will begin in 2011.
Tanikawa said the expansion is a "declaration of war against the WWE and UFC," though the company plans specifically to avoid the U.S. market, where he feels they are outgunned by the pay-per-view giants. The company has not promoted a show in the mainland U.S. since August 2007 for the K-1 World Grand Prix in Las Vegas.
Tanikawa admitted the company has lost a huge portion of its market share in the martial arts business and that its business model needs to change.
"From Asia, we will take the world," Tanikawa said.
Click the title to read more...
And when that happens, DREAM hopes more fans will part with their cash.
Mike Kogan, Director of FEG USA, on Friday told MMAjunkie.com that the lucrative new deal between DREAM's parent company, Fighting and Entertainment Group, and Shanghai-based investment bank PUJI Capital is an important step in regaining MMA's foothold in Japan and the rest of the world.
But for DREAM to thrive, Kogan said it's crucial that the company converts some of its fanbase to "a paying public."
FEG, which also heads the preeminent kickboxing promotion K-1, recently announced that PUJI will stake the fight promotion company in an aggressive worldwide expansion effort – to the tune of up to $230 million U.S. dollars, according to the investment bank.
While the shape of the expansion is not entirely clear, FEG president Sadaharu Tanikawa said the effort will begin in 2011.
Tanikawa said the expansion is a "declaration of war against the WWE and UFC," though the company plans specifically to avoid the U.S. market, where he feels they are outgunned by the pay-per-view giants. The company has not promoted a show in the mainland U.S. since August 2007 for the K-1 World Grand Prix in Las Vegas.
Tanikawa admitted the company has lost a huge portion of its market share in the martial arts business and that its business model needs to change.
"From Asia, we will take the world," Tanikawa said.
Click the title to read more...
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