The Ultimate Fighting Championship is making its long-awaited return to Japan this weekend, and the event promises to be a showcase for some of the best Japanese fighters in the world. Of the 12 fights scheduled to take place inside one of MMA‘s original shrines, the Saitama Superdome, eight will involve Japanese fighters.
The fighters are scattered throughout the preliminary and main card of the event and notables Takanori “The Fireball Kid” Gomi, Hatsu Hioki, Yushin “Thunder” Okami and superstar “Sexyama” Yoshihiro Akiyama will all be in tough fights on this night.
It is the time for the Rising Sun to shine in MMA, and the stage is set for an incredible night for the Japanese faithful. Will it be a showcase or a beat down for Japanese MMA?
Here are my predictions for the Japanese fighters.