Where there's smoke... Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG) trumpeted a new sponsorship deal a few months ago that would give them the financial backing they needed to push through into the new year. It never came to pass and now FEG is on the brink of bankruptcy. This could spell the end for both Dream MMA and K-1 Kickboxing which would be a disaster for the post-PRIDE combat sports landscape in Japan. It could be the end of any international competition that rivals what the UFC is doing. Sadaharu Tanigawa, the President of FEG, Dream's parent company, recently told reporters... http://www.mmafighting.com/tag/Sadaharu Tanigawa/
One major reason for the problems maintaining a combat sports empire in Japan is the Yakuza. Even during the halcyon days of PRIDE there were rampant problems with fights being fixed, people being intimidated and manipulated, and major television and sponsorship deals falling apart because of shady business practices. By some accounts the Yakuza problem persists with FEG today and there is a suggestion that MMA and kickboxing in Japan can't take place without Yakuza interference.
Dream's last show was Dream.16 in September. K-1's last show was the K-1 MAX Madrid 2011 International Tournament that took place on January 8th. Neither promotion has announced plans for their next shows.
Rumours flying that a new company (not FEG) has jumped in to try and organize a lightweight grand prix co-promoted with Strikeforce to take place under the Dream banner.
