DREAM set to join the ONE FC network in 2012

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) may have a stranglehold on stateside mixed martial arts (MMA), but overseas, the competition may prove to be a bit stiffer.

That's because the Japanese promotion DREAM has entered a deal to become part of Asia's ONE FC network under owner Victor Cui. While nothing is official at this time, sources with knowledge of the sitaution are calling it "imminent."

MMA-Japan first reported the partnership earlier today.

In addition to ESPN Star Sports, promotions under the ONE FC network, including Australia's Cage Fighting Championship (CFC) and Korea's Road FC, will also be televised on a number of major domestic channels across networks in multiple countries.

Simply put, there's going to be a lot of MMA to watch in Asia, which will help DREAM improve its global profile and in turn, have some of its bigger-name stars in Japan appear Internationally through cross promotion.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more details on this developing story as they become available.