It's been 14-years since Ultimate Japan, much like it was over a decade since Ultimate Brazil, and now the UFC are going back, just like they went back to Rio last month. The UFC have booked the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, for a February event. Due to the time difference the show will begin in the morning in order to coincide with American time zones. The arena will reportedly be configured to fit 20,000 fans but could be expanded depending on ticket sales, I reckon. The SSA is enormous. The timing of the event works out well for Gomi, Yamamoto, Hioki, Okami, and other Japanese UFC fighters, who you know will be clamoring to get onto the card. Making inroads into Japan is big news for the UFC. In the past they have been stonewalled by television deals and the "lose a finger" bunch that were so heavily imbedded in Pride.
The UFC could bring back all the old Pride guys for this event (Nogs, Wand, Cro Cop, Shogun, etc.). Wonder if a mix of Pride fighters and Japanese nationals would sell the place out?
