Sengoku’s future looks bleak.
Sengoku Raiden Championship issued a press release on Friday stating that its primary sponsor, Don Quijote, has pulled all financial backing from the Japanese fight promotion.
The future of the fight promotion looks grim unless a new primary sponsor is secured, which isn’t likely. The news comes on the same day Japan was hit by a massive earthquake and tsunami.
Sengoku was formed in 2007 following the purchase of Pride Fighting Championships by UFC parent company Zuffa. The organization held 20 events over the span of three years, but had no events planned for 2011.
It’s not just Sengoku having troubles in Japan. DREAM has been accused of not playing fighters or partially paying them after long delays.
Several notable fighters competed under the Sengoku banner including, Josh Barnett, Antonio Silva, Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, Hatsu Hioki and others.
The released stated that Don Quijote would continue to support Pancrase and Shooto, but didn’t say to what extent.
