Rizin commentator Joe Ferraro compares New Years Eve MMA events in Japan to the Super Bowl

'Showdown' Joe Ferraro opened up about the significance of New Years Eve MMA events in Japan.

The Rizin english play-by-play commentator recently spoke with Vibe 105.5FM Toronto, where he discussed the upcoming Rizin vs. Bellator event at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan this New Year's Eve. While talking about the upcoming cross-promotion event, Ferraro described the importance of New Year's Eve for the Japanese market and compared it to the Super Bowl in North America, saying:

"People not only look forward to the game, but they look forward to the commericals...It's the highest rated programming in North America - Canada and the U.S. - that's when advertisers, sponsors, and marketers spend their top dollar. You gotta put your commercial on during the Super Bowl, that's the highest rated show throughout the year...In Japan, that's New Years Eve." {2:33 - 3:02}

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While taking into account the financial opportunities for MMA promotions, Ferraro added that it's also a great opportunity for promotions to advertise their product and expand their audience, saying:

"The vast majority of people are tuning into their television, so you want to be able to put on the biggest event, biggest programming, biggest type of entertainment on New Years Eve when you're in the land of the rising sun...In the Japanese promotional scene, they always stack up those cards on New Years Eve." {3:03 - 3:23}

Even dating back to when Pride was one of if not the top MMA promotions in the sport, they were known to host massive events on New Year's Eve, which usually culminated with the finale of a Grand Prix.

Check out the full interview:

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Joe Ferraro set to call the upcoming MMA cross-promotion event between Rizin and Bellator

'Showdown' Joe Ferraro is set to call the upcoming Rizin vs. Bellator cross-promotion event on New Year's Eve. Like he's done for past events, he will be on Rizin's english broadcast team providing play-by-play commentating.

The upcoming Rizin vs. Bellator card is stacked and should make for exciting fights that will also give the winning MMA promotion bragging rights. The event includes a champion vs. champion fight between Rizin featherweight champion Kleber Koike and Bellator featherweight champion Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire.

Reigning Rizin lightweight champion Roberto 'Satoshi' Souza will also be in for a tough test as he fights A.J. 'Mercenary' McKee. The former Bellator featherweight champion is coming off his unanimous decision win against Spike Carlyle, which was his first bout at 155lbs, while Souza is riding a 5 fight winning streak that saw him avenge his lone career loss to Johnny Case in his most recent bout.