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drdst122
Joined: 12 Apr 2009
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 Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 1:20 pm Post subject: Is there an MMA scene in S. Korea? |
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I'm really into MMA and I know it's a big thing in Japan. Is there a big MMA scene in S. Korea? Are there a lot of events held there regularly?
Thanks! |
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drdst122
Joined: 12 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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There is a fight tonight where a guy who has no arms or legs, just arms to the elbow and legs to the knees who is fighting tonight. His story is very inspirational, although him fighting does cause a bit of controversy.
Here is a story about his fight tonight if anyone is interested.
http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/saturday-mma-blog-17181 |
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drdst122
Joined: 12 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 4:02 pm Post subject: |
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I guess by the overwhelming responses that it's not very popular in SK.
In case you are wondering and don't know, MMA stands for Mixed Martial Arts. Think UFC, Dream, Pride, K-1, any of those organizations sponsors MMA. |
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DrOctagon
Joined: 11 Jun 2008
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 4:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Sorry, I live under a rock. I have NO idea what MMA is even though it's very popular and fights are broadcast on Korean TV. |
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Golem
Joined: 18 Jun 2008
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, all the people I know who study Jiu Jitsu watch MMA and about half of them plan to compete in MMA either professionally or as an amateur for fun.
There are many BJJ gyms. I'd gladly introduce you to any of the decent MMA gyms I know here in Seoul. There are only a handful I'd recommend if you dont speak Korean though. |
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drdst122
Joined: 12 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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Well I am not in S. Korea yet. I am planning on being there come August/September as long as everything goes according to plan.
I don't really practice MMA as much as I enjoy watching and following it. I would love to go to some live events if they are held often. |
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BrassMonkey
Joined: 16 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Bro
I'm no longer in Korea but short answer "yes!" there is definitely an MMA scene in Korea. Follow this link to the sherdog forums http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f61/ then click on the Korean MMA thread. Somebody on there will be able to give you more specific advice than I can and the thread is in English.
Whilst you will find plenty of "McDojos" in Korea you will some good gyms too. If you can't find a good MMA gym in your area, chances are you will be able to find Muay Thai, BJJ, boxing or possibly even sambo.
The main promoter in Korea is Spirit MC. I believe they have a good system for allowing MMA practitioners to gain experience as they operate both pro and amateur circuts. Fighters can gain experience relatively early under a more forgiving set of MMA rules (padding worn, early stoppages and no high risk subs like Kimuras and ankle locks) and progress to a less protected rules once experience has been gained.
All the UFC events air for free on normal cable TV. I paid 30 000 won for cable TV and unlimited broadband and could watch every UFC without being hit for pay per view charges as in most western countries.
Good luck with your teaching and your training! |
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BrassMonkey
Joined: 16 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry for saying "Bro" in the previous message. I assumed you were a bloke. Maybe you're not. Sorry if my gender based sporting prejudicisms inadvertently caused offence.  |
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drdst122
Joined: 12 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:15 pm Post subject: |
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Haha, no worries. I am indeed a male and I appreciate your response. I read sherdog religiously, even though it's sometimes a huge headache. I'll check out the section on Korea. Never knew about it.
Thanks |
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Papa Smurf
Joined: 18 Jul 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 11:10 pm Post subject: |
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it's pretty big.
the biggest korean organization is Spirit. almost every night of the week, they show re-runs on SBS (i think).
Dream, UFC and k1 are always live on cable (dont have to ppv). affliction is also shown. fedor is quite famous here. ive seen him on talk/game shows.
They have a ufc express show. kind of chat and highlights. the ufc is getting more famous here because koreans like denis kang, akiyama and dong hyun kim are competing. |
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chris_J2
Joined: 17 Apr 2006
Location: From Brisbane, Au.
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pec5002
Joined: 15 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 11:33 pm Post subject: |
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Im not a figher, but I would like to see a fight or two is there anywhere to watch them?
Edit: Watch them in person, not on TV. |
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asian sensation
Joined: 13 Oct 2008
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| Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 11:44 pm Post subject: |
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The only professional league in Korea (Spirit MC) went under. They still have some amateur fights but there held in gyms, not really for spectators. Hopefully something will come about in the future.
BTW, any wrestlers out there? I found a wrestling gym in Seoul but i'm lacking some training partners. Its near Daerim (green line 2). |
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skconqueror
Joined: 31 Jul 2005
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| Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 12:11 am Post subject: Re: Taekwondo |
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lol, maybe cause a Taekwondo practitioner would get his ass handed to him in mma. 
And to get back on topic.. there IS an mma scene in Korea and great news for mma fans and practitioners in Korea.
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A new big MMA organization which will be called �Fighter Mania Championship� (FMC) is starting in South Korea. The first event is planned to take place in September in Seoul and a press conference is planned for July. Aleksander Emelianenko, Choi Mu Bae, and Blagoi Ivanov (the guy who beat Fedor in Combat Sambo) are already at the verbal level in regards to participation. They are planning to hold an event per 2-3 months all around South Korea.
The company behind the event is an MMA/Martial Arts management company called �Fighter Mania Entertainment�. The company will also hold amateur events (starting in July) for domestic talent between the big FMC events.
FME representative Kim said that they are aiming at the organization becoming to the level that PRIDE was and the UFC is.
There are rumors that they are currently negotiating with all three of the Emelianenko brothers (Aleksander is already confirmed). PRIDE was very popular in Korea and Fedor is well-known there. I have even seen UFC and K-1 mentioned in Korean movies.
Kim also mentioned Mirko CroCop, Mark Hunt, and Jerome Le Banner.
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http://nightmareofbattle.wordpress.com/2009/04/18/big-mma-organization-starting-in-korea-ivanov-bae-and-aleksander-mentioned/ |
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