One FC CEO Victor Cui

By FCF Staff

Not long after reports surfaced that growing Asian organization One Fighting Championship and the Japanese based DREAM promotion were set to become partners, the two companies have formally announced their new agreement.

In a press release sent out today by both DREAM and One FC, the promotions have announced that they will begin to co-promote events and exchange fighters in 2012. Their first joint effort will reportedly take place at March 31 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

”I am thrilled by this partnership. Japan has the highest level of MMA fighters in Asia due to its long history in the sport. DREAM is the most prestigious event in Japan,” Victor Cui, CEO/Owner of ONE Fighting Championship was quoted saying in the announcement. “With this partnership, ONE Fighting Championship and DREAM will continue to showcase the most exciting fights between the best fighters in Asia. I am truly excited by the potential of this partnership to create new opportunities for fighters, gyms, sponsors, advertisers, and media partners.”

“DREAM and ONE Fighting Championship will work together to lead the sport of MMA in Asia to a better future,” DREAM Event Producer Keiichi Sasahara added. “DREAM has some of the best fighters in the world and we also have deep experience of putting on world-class events. ONE Fighting Championship has the largest media platform in Asia and many other assets. I see many great synergies with this partnership. It is certainly a new era for everyone in Asian MMA.”

Since promoting its first event in September, 2011, One FC has continued to sign partnerships with various promotions, brands and gyms throughout Asia. Some of the promotions now affiliated with the One FC Network include Australia’s Cage Fighting Championship, South Korea’s ROAD Fighting Championship, and the Thailand based DARE Fightsports.

The partnership with One FC could help stabilize the DREAM promotion which has had well documented financial difficulties over the preceding months.

DREAM’s next event will take place New Year’s Eve in Saitama, Japan, and will feature several of the promotion’s more established fighters, including lightweight champ Shinya Aoki, featherweight champion Hiroyuki Takaya and Hayato Sakurai, among several others.