Rumors of UFC events to be held in Japan are just rumors

UFC 144, held in February 2012 marked the UFC’s fifth appearance in Japan, and the first event in Japan since UFC 29 in 2000. The card was a massive success and completely sold out the Saitama Super Arena. After the event, the promotion promised that it would return to Japan in the near future.

Japanese news outlet Nikkan Sports reported this week that the UFC would be holding four smaller events in Japan next year in 5,000-seat venues around the country.

Mark Fischer, executive vice president and managing director of UFC Asia, announced today that this was not exactly the case and that he was quoted out of context.

Fischer said via email: “I think some items they printed were exaggerated or taken out of context, as if they are happening rather than simply just things we are just looking at. (It is) all really just pure speculation at this point.”

Fischer insists that the organization is committed to developing the Japanese market, but that they are still in the “talking” stage: “I want to foster Japanese world-class fighters. In Japan, which can be called the birthplace of mixed martial arts, I want to do an event on a regular basis.”