mmar reader - free mma magazine - dec 2012
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The MMAR Reader is a free online MMA magazine!TRANSCRIPT
TABLE OF CONTENTS Subscribe Now – FREE
MMAR READER 1.) Letter From MMAR President2.) MMA Fight Card Listings3.) MMA Gym Directory4.) Featured Amateur Fighters5.) Featured Techniques6.) Industry Advice
7.) Featured Videos8.) Featured Photos9.) MMA Polls
10.) Sponsors & Credits
Contributors December 2012President: Michael Zuccarello Vice President: James McCullough
Industry Advice: Mike Camp Industry Advice: Molly HoskinsonIndustry Advice: Jason Stewart Industry Advice: Ricky Vasque Industry Advice: David McKinney Industry Advice: Joseph Donofrio Industry Advice: Mel R. Valenzuela Industry Advice: Cord Crowthers
Technique: MMA Life
December 2012
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LETTER FROM MMAR PRESIDENT Subscribe Now – FREE
MMARecruiter.comSan Diego, California
Phone: (619) 866-4198
www.mmarecruiter.com
Dear MMAR Readers,
Great news! MMARecruiter.com is continuously growing, thanks to our members and networking affiliates. This month, we will have over 18,000 registered members, making MMA Recruiter a powerful industry resource for everyone to enjoy. Help us continue to grow by spreading the word to all your friends and contacts.
This issue of the MMAR Reader is filled with advice articles, techniques , videos, and much more. We asked multiple industry professionals their thoughts on current topics such as "Sponsorships for Fighters" and "The Most Common Mistakes Amateur Debut Fighters Make". Feel free to join in on the conversations and share your thoughts.
We would like to thank Defense Soap for sponsoring our Featured Fighter Contest this month. Anyone training should check out their very informative website and their full line of products. This month's featured fighters are Patrick Garcia, Mitch Rice, and Tyler Shindorf.
A growing question that is commonly asked by aspiring fighters is, "How do I get started in MMA?". We put together quick tips for finding fights and getting your career started. Take a few minutes to check out the article by Clicking Here.
Hopefully you enjoy this issue of the MMAR Reader and remember to check our website daily for industry updates.
Thanks for the support!
Sincerely,
Michael Zuccarello
PresidentMMARecruiter.com
December 2012
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FIGHT CARD LISTINGS Subscribe Now – FREE
**DISCLAIMER**MMA Recruiter is not the promoter or matchmaker for any of the events listed below. MMAR only reposts the
fight card information. Fight cards are subject to change. Some fight card listings might be filled.
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12/08/12 - Ammy MMA - Minneola, FL
Fighting Arts Emporium is looking for Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on December 8th, 2012 in Minneola, Florida.
12/08/12 - Ammy MMA - Covington, KY
Absolute Action MMA is looking for Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on December 8th, 2012 in Covington, Kentucky.
12/08/12 - Ammy MMA - Costa Mesa, CA
Fight Club OC is looking for Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on December 8th, 2012 in Costa Mesa, California.
12/08/12 - Pro & Ammy MMA - Toledo, OH
Ohio Cage Combat XII is looking for both Pro and Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on December 8th, 2012 in Toledo, Ohio.
12/08/12 - Pro & Ammy MMA - Dayton, OH
Coalition of Combat is looking for both Pro and Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on December 8th, 2012 in Dayton, Ohio.
12/14/12 - Ammy MMA - Indianapolis, IN
Legends of Fighting Championship is looking for Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on December 14th, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
12/15/12 - Ammy MMA - Whitehall, NY
Xtreme Combat Promotions is looking for Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on December 15th, 2012 in Whitehall, New York.
01/05/13 - Pro & Ammy MMA - Massillon, OH
Caged Madness is looking for both Pro and Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on January 5th, 2013 in Massillon, Ohio.
Continued on the next page...
December 2012
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FIGHT CARD LISTINGS Subscribe Now – FREE
**DISCLAIMER**MMA Recruiter is not the promoter or matchmaker for any of the events listed below. MMAR only reposts the
fight card information. Fight cards are subject to change. Some fight card listings might be filled.
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01/05/13 - Pro & Ammy MMA - Ft Mitchell, KY
Absolute Action MMA is looking for both Pro and Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on January 5th, 2013 in Ft Mitchell, Kentucky.
01/12/13 - Ammy MMA - South Lake tahoe, NV
World Fighting Championships (WFC) is looking for Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on January 12th, 2013 in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
01/12/13 - Ammy MMA - Bixby, OK
COMBAT is looking for both Pro and Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on January 12th, 2013 in Bixby, Oklahoma.
01/12/13 - Ammy MMA - South Lake Tahoe, NV
World Fighting Championships (WFC) is looking for Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on January 12th, 2013 in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
01/13/13 - Pro MMA - Guadalajara, Mexico
Emperio MX MMA is looking for Pro MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on January 13th, 2013 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
01/18/13 - Pro & Ammy MMA - Green Bay, WI
NAFC is looking for both Pro and Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on January 18th, 2013 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
01/19/13 - Pro & Ammy MMA - Cleveland, OH
Rocktagon MMA is looking for both Pro and Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on January 19th, 2013 in Cleveland, Ohio.
01/19/13 - Ammy MMA - Winchester, VA
Premiere Event Productions LLC is looking for Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on January 19th, 2013 in Winchester, Virginia.
01/20/13 - Ammy MMA - Goodlettsville, TN
Silverado's Cagefighting is looking for Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on January 20th, 2013 in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.
Continued on the next page...
December 2012
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FIGHT CARD LISTINGS Subscribe Now – FREE
**DISCLAIMER**MMA Recruiter is not the promoter or matchmaker for any of the events listed below. MMAR only reposts the
fight card information. Fight cards are subject to change. Some fight card listings might be filled.
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01/26/13 - Ammy MMA - Liverpool, NY
Bigbear Fight League is looking for Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on January 26th, 2013 in Liverpool, New York.
01/19/13 - Pro & Ammy MMA - St Johnson, VT
Xtreme Combat Promotions is looking for both Pro and Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on January 19th, 2013 in St Johnsbury, Vermont.
01/19/13 - Pro & Ammy MMA- Laughlin, NV
World Fighting Championships (WFC) is looking for both Pro and Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on January 19th, 2013 in Laughlin, Nevada.
01/26/13 - Pro & Amateur MM - Hinton, OK
Sugar Creek Showdown is looking for both Pro and Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on January 26th, 2013 in Hinton, Oklahoma.
02/08/13 - Ammy MMA - Springhill, TN
RhinoFC is looking for both Pro and Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on February 8th, 2013 in Spring Hill, Tennessee.
02/09/13 - Ammy MMA - Milwaukee, WI
NAFC is looking for Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on February 9th, 2013 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
02/16/13 - Ammy MMA - Plattsbug, NY
Xtreme Combat Promotions is looking for Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on February 16th, 2013 in Plattsburgh, New York.
02/16/13 - Pro & Ammy - Morton, MI
KOTC is looking for both Pro and Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on February 16th, 2013 in Morton, Minnesota.
02/23/13 - Amateur MMA - Stroudsburg, PA
Sherman Cage Rage is looking for Amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on February 23rd, 2013 in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.
December 2012
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MMA GYM DIRECTORY Subscribe Now – FREE
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INTERNATIONAL MMA GYMSAfrica Asia Australia Canada Europe Japan Mexico South America
December 2012
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FEATURED FIGHTER – PROFESSIONAL Subscribe Now – FREE
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Fighters InformationName: Mitchelle Rice
Location: Crystal River, FL
Age: 25
Skill Level: Professional
Weight Class: 170lbs
Height: 6' 4”
Pro Record: 0-0-0Ammy Record: 21-6-2Fighting Style: Freestyle Managed: No
Training InformationMy Training Partners Corey Hill & Eric Reynolds
My Instructor(s): Patrick Reynolds
AccomplishmentsAccomplishments: - Holds two amateur championship belts.
- Recently turned professional.
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Fighter's InformationName: Tyler Shindorf
Location: Belding, MI
Age: 19
Skill Level: Amateur
Weight Class: 145lb
Height: 6' 0”
Ammy Record: 3-0-0Fighting Style: Kickboxing & Wrestling
Training I Train at: Independently
AccomplishmentsTournaments Won: - Undefeated 3-0 fighter.
- Has finished all fights.- 2 Submission victories. - 1 Knockout victory.
Opponents1. Recent Opponent:2. Recent Opponent:3. Recent Opponent:
Austin Wiggins Cody Ramey Walter Vanoostendorp
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December 2012
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Fighter's InformationName: Patrick Garcia
Location: Joplin, Missouri
Age: 24
Skill Level: Amateur
Weight Class: 185lbs
Height: 5' 10”
Ammy Record: 8-4-0Fighting Style: Muay Thai / BBJ
Training InformationI Train At: Joplin BrotherHood MMA
AccomplishmentsAccomplishments: - Has fought at heavyweight,light heavyweight,middleweight and
welterweight. - 2012 Shofight Grand Prix Welterweight Champion
Tournaments WonTournaments Won: - Grappler X Elk Grove Runner-up.
- 10th Planet Tournament 190lb Champion.
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Name: MMA LifeWebsite: www.mmalife.tv
MMA Life the #1 app for MMA Instructional Training Videos. We add new videos on strength and conditioning, MMA techniques & moves, diets, and MMA strategies each and every week.
Learning Elbow Strikes Omoplata to a Sweep
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Name: Holly Hoskinson
Website: www.southernmma.net
How to Get the Most From Your Manager Relationship? By: Molly Hoskinson
I am asked all the time what my expectations are for the fighters that I manage. Contracts are very carefully worded documents with the base purpose being to protect the parties involved - typically the primary focus of a contract is financial gain/loss. While I believe in contractual arrangements for fighters with promoters as well as with sponsors in most cases, when it comes to management I tend to be a little less convinced that a long term contract is going to be beneficial for either myself or a fighter in terms of laying out exactly what each person's expectation is for the professional relationship.
Having said that, I do have expectations for the fighters and I would like to explain those here for the benefit of my current fighters and potential future clientele. I don't tend to approach my business model the same as every other manager out there - each fighter has his/her own strengths and weaknesses, family situation, and goal for his or her fighting career.
Also, I look at amateur and pro fighters the same way. Amateur fighters - you are practicing now to become professional fighters, so you should behave like a pro from the beginning. There is no excuse of "I'm not being paid, so what does it matter...." You are building and creating the athlete you will forever be right now. Reach your fullest potential every time you perform. Do not allow yourself to make regretful excuses.
My requirements are as follows:
1. Say what you mean and mean what you say. If you agree to fight, fight. If you agree to make weight, make weight. Barring unpreventable situations such as injury, you are under obligation to both myself, your opponent, and the event promoter to live up to this. Before you agree to fight be sure you can get there, afford your medicals, afford your licensing fees, and put the time in prior required to be fight ready.
Continued on the next page...
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How to Get the Most From Your Manager Relationship? By: Molly Hoskinson
2. Be prepared. Somewhere out there is someone who is training to take your head off and/or break your limbs. You need to work harder than they are. There is no excuse, no slacking off, no taking the week off because you have better things to do. This is serious - it is a business for you as well as me. I respect a fighter regardless of whether he wins or loses. But if the loss comes from a lack of preparation and commitment, that is when I feel I have been shortchanged. And if you do this, you are shortchanging yourself as well. Preparation includes: excellent nutrition, regular training, fight camp preparation, avoiding injury to the degree possible, avoiding putting anything in your body that is not permitted by the commission, staying out of trouble with the law or any other issue that will impede your progress. It also includes working on the areas of your game where you are weak - you know what they are and if you don't, your coach does. Being prepared to fight on short notice is beneficial as well - it allows you to take advantage of sudden opportunities that may catapult you to a bigger shot for the future.
3. Commit yourself to one gym. Cross training in other facilities is perfectly awesome - do that, too. But commit to one gym and develop a good working relationship with the trainers that work there. They will begin to know you as a fighter, help you improve, pinpoint the areas where you need the most work. They will also support you as a corner when you fight. Expect to pay for this privilege until such a time as you are able to increase their revenue in some way, whether through teaching or fight pursuits. I am very lucky to have a great relationship with many coaches in SC and beyond who help me a lot with my own business decisions with regard to athletes that I manage. By the way, this should be an MMA gym with actual trainers who know the fight game and with plenty of sparring partners, in particular ones who are better than you.
4. If you need help, ask for it. I have a TON of resources in every aspect of fighting. Nutrition/weight cutting....generating supplemental income....finding the best gym for you in your area...I can help you if I know you need the help. Communicate with me, please, for the best opportunities.
5. Focus at least some of your energy in promoting yourself. This is not terribly time consuming. Keep a Facebook page AND a Twitter and post to it every day, twice a day at least if possible. Takes all of 5 minutes a day. Post photos regularly - training photos, pics with your gym buddies, pics of you out watching fights, whatever. People like this kind of thing - you may not realize how important it is. But when a sponsor looks at you, they want to know your reach. If you have 4000 friends on Facebook and a few thousand Twitter followers, you're in way better position to offer them a return on investment. If you have sponsors, Tweet them and Facebook them regularly. Be genuine - tell about the gear you have used and love. Thank them for supporting you. Put yourself out there for people to see. Go to local/regional fights when you're able to. After your own fights, try to go out and talk with people who came to see you fight. If your sponsors have a table at an event, go meet and greet. Don't avoid doing this and complain if you aren't getting fights or sponsors!
Continued on the next page...
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How to Get the Most From Your Manager Relationship? By: Molly Hoskinson
6. Finally, and perhaps for me the most crucial issue in managing a large stable of fighters...EVERY FIGHT RELATED ISSUE GOES THROUGH YOUR MANAGER FIRST AND ONLY. Anytime something happens in your life or your training or your fighting that requires you to make a phone call or communicate in some way -- that call goes to me first. Accepting a direct fight offer when I have already assembled a long term plan and have certain things on the horizon for you basically sends a wrecking ball through my house of cards. Accepting a sponsorship offer when I have already planned something exclusive will end up making multiple people angry and potentially cause you to miss out on a great opportunity. I am a negotiator, I am a planner, I am an organized person and I have strong connections - ideally your manager can on your own. If that were not true, you would not need a manager and would be better off on your own. I will never make a choice for you without your agreement -- I will always communicate with you what is going on. Please do the same for me!
I believe my requirements are very fair - and I back them up by having very high standards for myself as well. My fighters can expect that their own careers and wellbeing will be considered above all. They can expect that I am actively seeking opportunities for them. That their paperwork will be in order prior to a fight so they can focus on the above tasks. Anything relevant to their fighting I am willing to help with any way that I can. I want to encourage loyalty in both directions for my team - and amongst themselves as well. We treat each other fairly to the benefit of all.
Interested in joining our management team? Or obtaining a fight roster for your promotion? Contact me [email protected]
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Name: Mike Camp
Website: www.mmarecruiter.com
MMA Observations & Protocol Suggestions By: Mike Camp
I would like to start this article by wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season! With that being said let’s get to the heart of some issues.
Fighters, listed below are some points to carefully consider if you truly want to be an MMA fighter. It has been my experience that more people "SAY" that they are a fighter, than actually do what it takes to "BECOME" a fighter.
Question:
I wonder why no one has family members that pass away, gets hospitalized, their car breaks down, or they get seriously injured two months before a scheduled bout, but it happens consistently on the week of said bout? Now keep in mind, I am very cynical at this point of my career. While I do know that these misfortunes do truly happen, I also know that it cannot possibly be true for every event.
Fighter Bullet Points:
A.) MMA is a business! Promoters have to breakeven or turn a small profit to stay in business. If not, they are unable to provide future events for fighters to showcase their talents. No matter how much promoters love our sport, they can only lose so much money.
B.) Most promoters do not make the huge profits that people assume they do. MMA requires much more sanctioning and regulations than it did in the past. These new requirements are very costly.
Continued on the next page...
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MMA Observations & Protocol Suggestions By: Mike Camp
C.) The promoter does not OWE you anything. Whether you are a debut amateur or seasoned professional, fighting should be viewed as a second job in my humble opinion. Events are not a vacation! You are personally responsible for anyone that you bring to the fight (i.e. spouse, family, friends, etc.). Standard promotion procedures, you (the fighter) get 1 fighter pass and 2 corner passes to the event. Anyone else that you would like to be in attendance at the event should purchase a ticket. Some promoters will provide complimentary tickets to fighters, but it is NOT required, nor should be expected.
D.) This may be the most important point of all. Please honor your word. If you commit to fighting, then by all means please do so. When a fighter backs out of a bout without an acceptable reason, it affects more people than one might realize. The promoter and fans are obviously affected. Most people do not consider how it effects the other fighter. This person has done everything right by training, cutting weight, and showing up to compete. Not to mention taking time away from his/her family, loss of work, and spending money to compete. It is completely disrespectful and selfish for a fighter to back out of a fight, without an acceptable reason.
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When Should an MMA Fighter Start Looking for Sponsors?By: Ricky Vasque
It's a free for all. Lower level fighters are not taking budgets away from top elite pros.
The facts are the sponsorship game is almost dried up unless you're in the top 5% of the sport. (Mainly World Champions and Elite level UFC fighters.) With Bellator on MTV2, sponsorships are extremely low; once they moved to Spike TV everyone thinks sponsorships for Bellator fighters will go crazy UP. People forget that UFC fighters on Spike were lucky if they made 1/3 of what the PPV Main Card UFC fighters make today, and that was in the middle of the "heyday" of sponsorships.
So back to the main question, "When should fighters start looking for sponsorships?". Whenever they can get it! As an upcoming fighter you're going to be sponsored by your "Circle of Influence" people you know and that want to be apart of you personally. Get serious about your social media, go above and beyond for everyone that helps you (Manager, Gym, Coaches & Sponsors); shout out your sponsors regularly… everyday! You're LUCKY they are giving you anything.
Think ROI. As a fighter if you don't know what ROI means then you shouldn't be asking for sponsorships. (ROI- "Return on Investment"). What do you bring to the table for your prospective sponsor? How many "units" can you help move? Are you paying for your sponsorship in "unit sales"? If not you won't have your sponsor for long. 1 of 3 things will happen.
1. Your sponsor will move onto someone that can produce ROI.2. Your sponsor will find another place to invest their advertising dollar.3. Your sponsor will go out of business.
It's a sponsor's market. The supply to demand is heavily weighted towards the sponsors. Said in another way: There's a lot of fighters asking for money to the amount of money sponsors are willing to pay.
Ricky VasquePhenom Management www.twitter.com/PhenomMgt http://on.fb.me/tIabxL
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What is the Most Common Mistake Amateur MMA Debut Fighters Make?By: Mel R Valenzuela
Assuming the fighter is aware of getting the necessary medical clearance and paying the sanctioning body fees, I would say the most common mistake for amateur fighters making their debuts is lacking the necessary mental preparation for combat.
Many kids have the notion that they have the proverbial "eye of the tiger" and will instinctively know what to do when in the cage. Fact is that I have seen countless amateur fighters making their debuts "freeze" when they're in the cage. The interesting thing is, that I see a lot of these same kids train in the gym where they look like world beaters. When I ask them what happened, for the most part, they all say the same thing, "I don't know what happened, I just froze up there."
A solution would be for them to pay as much attention to the mental aspect of their preparation, as they do to physical preparation. An excellent way to become mentally prepared is to ask their experienced teammates, "What it's like to be in the cage for the first time?". A fighter should also have no qualms with asking his coach this question. After all, they also had their "first time" in the cage/ring sometime during their career. I have had some fighters tell me they practice yoga to become mentally and physically prepared for a fight. What ever works!
Bottom line is mental preparation is just as important as physical preparation and should be treated as such. Their are many ways to achieve mental preparation, it's up to the individual fighter to decide what works for him/her the best.
Mel R. ValenzuelaRoy Englebrecht Promotions www.fightcluboc.com www.twitter.com/melmatchmaker
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When Should an MMA Fighter Start Looking for Sponsors?By: David Mckinney
It is important to realize that until you are a national name and have won several titles you are only going to get sponsorship from local businesses. It is also important to realize that Joe Bloggs of "Joe Bloggs Toasted Sandwiches" doesn't believe that having his name on your shorts will enable him to sell even one more sandwich. He is simply ego tripping by associating himself with what he perceives as a glamorous sport. It also enables him to refer to "my fighter" in barroom MMA discussions.
Bear this in mind when you are approaching anyone who you judge might be able to provide sponsorship.
"Hey, I'm thinking of taking up MMA do you wanna give me some money?", is not likely to be successful with even the most egotistical Joe Bloggs so wait until you have been in the ring/cage at least a couple of times before making the pitch.
Fighters always ask me about potential sponsorship. I always tell them that the easiest way to get sponsors is through networking. Do you know anybody who owns a local business? If so, approach them and let them know that you're fighting and that you'd love to have them sponsor you for your fight. Chances are, national sponsors won't be interested in you in your first fight. You have to prove yourself in MMA. Be active on Facebook, Twitter, and even YouTube (start a blog), and you'll become noticed.
David McKinneyMcKinney Public Relationshttp://www.facebook.com/McKinneyPR http://www.twitter.com/mmamckinney
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What is the Most Common Mistake Amateur MMA Debut Fighters Make?By: Joseph A. Donofrio
As indicated in the parameters of the question, there are several mistakes above and beyond the weight, medicals and other state mandated requirements combatants make in their debut.
In my experience as a promoter, the largest mistake most fighters make is the lack of professional training by a certified, experienced trainer, as well as being a member of an accredited facility that is in the business of producing quality MMA combatants.
As a fighter's coach/trainer, they should make the educated decision as to when the fighter is ready for his/her first bout. Dedication to the time and the length of training is a necessity that is somewhat ignored by most. As a result, a fighter is created who may not perform after the first round, loose composure quickly into the match and display a rather embarrassing debut.
Cardio, proper advanced training, extensive sparring, but not limited to, is necessary for a debut fighter to produce a competitive first fight.
Another opinion that may pertain to this question is the number of amateur bouts a fighter has prior to turning Pro. I have witnessed fighters with only 1 amateur fight turning Pro. This to me is unacceptable. As a Boxing promoter as well, most of my Pro debut fighters usually have between 50 to 150 amateur bouts before turning Pro. Not the case in Mixed Martial Arts. A typical number of amateur bouts prior to turning Pro in MMA is usually between 10 and 20 fights (or less) which I believe to be too few.
Joseph A. Donofrio Donofrio MMA/The Impact Fight Leaguewww.donofriomma.com
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What is the Most Common Mistake Amateur MMA Debut Fighters Make?By: Cord Crowthers
With the explosion of MMA in the world, we are seeing so many more amateur fighters trying to get fights. With this comes so many pitfalls, that if one isn't constantly aware, can really cause problems for a young up-and-comer. What I see the most are fighters agreeing to anything just to get on a card, and unfortunately there are still plenty of sharks out there willing to take advantage of their blind need to get a fight.
That being said there are a couple of things a ammy fighter should do to protect himself/ herself. First of all do your research on any company that ask you to fight. Better yet have a coach or manager do the work for you as they should. A fighter should rarely if ever negotiate a fight deal for themselves. Of coarse with the rise of "independent" fighters this can't always happen, but it doesn't take much to have someone you trust to help you out.
Questions for a fighter to ask:
- Do I get travel (gas) and hotel covered. Reputable promotion companies will cover this to take care of the fighters. After all they are making profits off the event and should cater to their fighters. Keep in mind that ammy's don't get paid, and if you get offered a purse from a promoter as an ammy fighter, immediately RUN!!
- Who is the opponent and what is their record (not just MMA)? DO YOUR RESEARCH.
- Will I get more fights with your company if I win or do well? Set yourself up for more fights.
Now to get back to the point of the original question, "What should fighters do to help themselves?".
- Always have your medicals and blood work complete and ready to go. Don't wait to be ask to fight, be proactive and be ready!
- Check to see if the fight is sanctioned or non-sanctioned . There are parts of the country and Canada that are not sanctioned. This does not mean its not a good organization it just means that there may not be a sanctioning board in that area. In this case DO YOUR RESEARCH! Non-sanctioned fights can be great, but may effect your fights in the future for a sanctioned event. You may have to provide extra medical reports (MRI etc). DO NOT take a fight your not ready for. Cutting down 20-30lbs just to get a fight is not good for anyone. Use common sense!
- Always respond to the promoter/matchmaker in a timely fashion and get your paperwork in weeks prior to the fight. Be professional especially when your an amateur!
- There are thousands of fight companies out there, do your work and get your bio to all of them. Don't wait for them to call you, you have to be proactive and reach out 1st.
Continued on the next page...
December 2012
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What is the Most Common Mistake Amateur MMA Debut Fighters Make?By: Cord Crowthers
- Get noticed. It is the day of social media, and you would be amazed at what an hour or 2 in the evening searching the Web can do for your career.
Okay, here is the best advice you will ever get as an amateur fighter!... You are an amateur! Your record does not define you. An 0-10 ammy fighter is still more experienced then a 2-0 fighter. Stop thinking that you are going to the UFC in the next year and just take as many ammy fights as you can get. One fight in the cage is worth 3 months of daily training. MMA is the only sport in the world that people train for years, but never play.
A young fighter told me after a loss a few days ago, "I'm going to take 6-8 months off before I fight again". My response was, that's the dumbest thing I have ever heard! When is the last time you saw a Jr hockey or football player lose a game and then decide he would take 6-8 months off before trying again.
Take as many ammy fights as you can, this is the only way you and the sport will get better. Nobody says don't train, but competition is the key to success in this game.
Good luck and best wishes to all!!
Cord CrowthersElite [email protected]
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December 2012
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