A Japanese mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, DREAM, was established by ex-PRIDE FC leaders and the K-1 Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG) of promoters. It took over the mixed martial arts series called Hero’s. It is the product of the merger between the FEG and PRIDE-FC.
Origin of DREAM
DREAM has an interesting history. It is essential to understand how this notable organization began. Mixed martial arts are a very popular sport in Japan, and the FEG was one of the most popular promotors of the said sport. Among its first production was K-1 Kickboxing, and this was followed by Hero’s. The FEG can be considered as one of the pioneers when it comes to promoting mixed martial arts among television-watching audiences.The Merger of Two Companies
The PRIDE FC organization was another company that promotes mixed martial arts. It was also based in Japan, but it was not as successful as the FEG is in its ventures because of contract issues with the network that aired its shows. Among PRIDE-FC’s subsidiaries is Dream Stage Entertainment.The two companies FEG and PRIDE-FC entered a merger and formed DREAM. Officially founded in 2008, DREAM is both a company and an MMA program. Its first event production and all subsequent events featured all of the champion fighters that were part of Hero’s such as Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto, JZ Calvan, and Yoshihiro Akiyama. New fighters were also added to the DREAM roster, among the “Cro Cop” Filipovic, Hayato Sakurai, Shinya Aoki, and Kazushi Sakuraba.
Through the years, DREAM has entered partnerships and alliances. With other companies, putting together MMA collaboration programs and promotions that proved successful and popular with fans. Among the groups that DREAM has worked with are M1-1 Global, HDNet, EliteXC, Strikeforce, ONE Fighting Championship, and ProElite. The events were held in various venues in the cities of Yokohama, Saitama, Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo. DREAM fighters fought in front of live audiences in the Tokyo Saitama Super Arena, the Yokohama Arena, the Osaka-jo Hall, the Nippon Gaishi Hall, and the Ariake Coliseum.
Despite all the various alliances and partnerships, DREAM forged with different partners. However, the company and the show did not survive very long. By 2012, the FEG declared bankruptcy causing the organization to cease its operation.