Other News
DREAM reportedly ceases operations, ONE FC expected to absorb much of roster
Jun 4, 2012 - 11:00:33 AM DREAM reportedly ceases operations, ONE FC expected to absorb much of roster

DISCUSS ALL THIS IN OUR NEW MMATORCH FORUM

...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Japanese promotion DREAM is no more, as MMA-Japan.com reports that they have ceased operations. They had initially delayed a planned July event, but now they are no longer moving forward as a fight company.

DREAM had been experience a decline in ratings and attendance for their last several events, and had issues with fighter pay for some time as well. Ultimately, former parent company Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG) ended up filing bankruptcy last month, and Real Entertainment - which took over operations of DREAM - has seen many employees resign in the last several weeks, according to Sherdog.com.

Per the Sherdog report, Real Entertainment may not entirely be out of the fight game, as they are considering a summer 2013 return to the Saitama Super Arena. For now, Singapore's ONE Fighting Championship is expected absorb much of DREAM's roster, while some others may look to head elsewhere.

Penick's Analysis: DREAM's collapse has been seemingly inevitable for the last couple of years. It was never as big as PRIDE, and while they had some big events, and put on several major fights, they lacked the biggest crowds and spectacle that their predecessor had been known for. Additionally, their reputation took a major hit with several fighters complaining of non-payment; and an inability to put together an event for this summer didn't help things, either. Ultimately, they go out with a whimper, and it looks like ONE FC will attempt to fill the hole in Asian MMA for the time being.