According to Japan-MMA.com, the UFC has finally broken into the coveted Japanese market... somewhat. The site reports that the UFC will be shown on the WOWOW network in Japan starting in October. MMAPayout.com also concluded that WOWOW will also show past shows starting August 4th with coverage of UFC 71 to UFC 88 leading into the current lineup of UFC events in October.

While WOWOW isn't the ideal situation for the UFC in Japan, it is a starting point to potentially showing other outlets that the UFC could succeed in Japan. WOWOW is much like HBO or Showtime in the United States as it is a subscription network in which consumers pay a fee per month to enjoy their programming. If the UFC can increase WOWOW's subscription along with getting some decent ratings and fight fans interested in the UFC stars, there shouldn't be a reason why the UFC cannot move onto another larger PPV provider or network.

It may seem like this is the right step forward for the UFC in the Japanese market, but they still lack the matchmaking to make an impact in Japan. It has been proven time and time again over the years that Japanese fight fans relish the entertainment matchups over the quality battles that many hardcore fans covet. Fights like Aoki vs. Calvancante and Gomi vs. Diaz weren't huge number producers. On the other hand, fighters like Bob Sapp, Akebono, Kid Yamamoto, and television celebrities like Bobby Ologun have all done great in drawing huge ratings in the past.

Obviously, the UFC won't be creating matchups to push toward the Japanese audience on their cards that are mostly aimed at a United States audience. Entertainment cards won't be the push by the UFC, and the Japanese market is where those types of matchups make ratings. Nonetheless, the UFC could potentially turn some fans onto the cage fighting experience and the higher profile names that Japanese fight fans don't have the privilege of seeing regularly. Can the UFC begin turning a different market into a gold mine? Only time will tell, but if the past is any indication, the UFC will have a tough time appealing to the casual fans in Japan.