The indispensable Japanese MMA blog Nightmare of Battle is reporting that TBS-Japan will air a boxing event featuring WBC flyweight champion Daisuke Naito defending his title in China against Xiong Zhao Zhong. It’s a big deal since its the first time a Chinese fighter has ever challenged for the title. According to NoB, Naito’s fights draw big ratings in Japan–as in bigger than K-1 type ratings. This is good news for DREAM as the Naito fight will be televised immediately before DREAM 9, giving them a huge lead in audience which should bode well for their ratings.

The same day that DREAM.9 takes place, WBC Flyweight Champion Daisuke Naito will defend his title in China. He will face Chinese Xiong Zhao Zhong and it will be the first time a Chinese challenges for a world title. Naito fights get big ratings on TV (higher than both MMA and K-1) and it has been decided that that night TBS will air both the Boxing fight and DREAM.9 for three hours starting from 7:55 PM in what is called a Martial Arts Festival. This will definitely help the ratings of DREAM.9.

May 26! Daisuke Naito X DREAM 9 @ Nightmare of Battle

We’ll have live round by round coverage of DREAM 9 here at SAVSCI starting at 2:00 AM Pacific/5:00 AM Eastern. We may try to work out a feed of the Naito boxing match and do a live round by round of that as well.

DREAM 9 LIVE ROUND BY ROUND @ THE SAVAGE SCIENCE