Amateur MMA

Discussion in 'MMA' started by LetsGetItOn, Sep 14, 2009.

  1. LetsGetItOn

    LetsGetItOn Valued Member

    Hi everyone, this is my first 'New Thread' on here, so if it's already been covered before please don't verbally bash me, but i could not find anything related in the search.

    So here it is....
    I am in the very early days of working with a few people to setup a small, independent promotions firm that will specialise in the development of Amateur MMA Events in the UK (starting off in the North East).

    I was wondering what people's opinions of this are - we aim to run it very similar to regular MMA bouts, with the same rules, etc, although there will be added head and shin protection, possibly shorter rounds, and a few other tweaks to make it a little safer and more available to a wider audience.

    I'd like to hear of any recommendations you would like us to consider, and also of your experiences within amateur / semi-pro mma promotions.

    What is it that You would like to see within a proper Amateur MMA structure?

    I look forward to hearing from you lot.

    D.
     
  2. Moi

    Moi Warriors live forever x

    We run semi-pro events(so far) and find that's as safe as you need. Any less and I doubt you'd get the audience.
     
  3. Moi

    Moi Warriors live forever x

    Do you have a venue?
     
  4. liero

    liero Valued Member

    try and get television coverage, also if availiable, offer amateur shows as pre-shows and find a few fighters who would like to compete full rules as a highlight of the show?
     
  5. tanis

    tanis Valued Member

    A full pro rules headline fight would be a good idea what would the format be? Ring cage or open mat also is this an entertainment or competition event also as its an amateur event why not run it as a knockout tournement so fighters got more than one fight also make it more interesting for there friends to watch as most people come to support ther own people
     
  6. LetsGetItOn

    LetsGetItOn Valued Member

    Hi, sorry for the late reply, been busy with work and stuff....

    Firstly, thanks for the replies...

    We were thinking more along the lines of using both a cage and regular boxing ring (larger sized preferred). The rules would be as normal pro-MMA rules, or as similar to the UFC as we could get. The pride rules i think are a little excessive for amateurs.

    It was proposed that fighters should wear typical mma gloves and shorts, with added head protection as used by rugby players - more like 'ear protectors' to prevent from caulliflower ears. Also shin-instep pads. As i say it's still only really an idea that we hope to try out, then judging by it's success we can aim to take it ahead.
     
  7. Su lin

    Su lin Gone away

    Amateur mma with pro rules?

    There was a white collar style amatuer event at Liverpool olympia quite recently. They fought amateur rules with shinnies and headguards (Sandee type).

    Think confusing amatuer fights with pro style rules would be a bad thing, personally anyway.
     
  8. LetsGetItOn

    LetsGetItOn Valued Member


    As opposed to having different rules i think it would be better if more emphasis was maybe put onto protecting the fighter - refereeing. If you look at Amateur Boxing the rules are pretty much standard boxing rules but the ref takes a lot more control when it comes to fighter safety and not allowing ongoing punishment. Amateur MMA could be the same.

    As i say, i'm looking for as much feedback and ideas as i can get, so i know exactly what it is that would be most welcomed by martial artists, fighters, coaches and spectators alike. A good solid amateur foundation raises the standards for the future pro's.
     
  9. LetsGetItOn

    LetsGetItOn Valued Member


    Hey Moi,

    What rules does your fighters contest under, is it the same as UFC or whatever or have you you tweaked them for the semi-pro scene?

    I am thinking along the lines of keeping to the pro rules but with more emphasis on refereeing, safety equipment and protecting fighters. An amateur scene would not be aimed at drawing audiences, it is solely about giving fighters experience and raising standards. As amateurs would not be paid then costs would be kept to a minimum all round. Personally, with lower ticket costs - ie £5-10 entry, then it could attract a reasonable crowd of supporters because of the low cost of tickets.
     
  10. Su lin

    Su lin Gone away

    I just think that calling it amateur but allowing strikes to the head while standing/on the ground wouldn't be a good thing for amateur fighters. I train with strikes to the head etc and on the ground but not all amateur fighters might. It may also put some people off entering if there are headshots, even if the fights are being refereed safely.
    Surely it's best for amateurs to start off fighting proper amateur rules then once they have got a decent am record under their belt they can move up to semi pro.

    With there being no set rules for each promotion but generally promotions following similar rules I think adding pro like rules for amateur bouts would confuse the issue.

    Just my thoughts though :)
     
  11. callsignfuzzy

    callsignfuzzy Is not a number!

    I'll let you in on the GA amateur rules:

    8oz. MMA sparring gloves (more padding)
    Shin guards
    Cup & mouthpiece (natch)

    No knees to the head
    No foot stomps
    No elbows
    No strikes to the head while on the ground
    No wrist locks
    No neck cranks
    No twisting leg locks (presumably kneebars and straight ankle/achilles locks are OK)
    3X3-minute rounds

    Personally, I think this is an OK format, but without head punches for the ground-and-pound portion, that particular skill set is practically useless. I also think the "no foot stomps" thing is a bit silly. Outside of that, it's a nice pre-UFC-rules format. No elbows or knees to the head means less of a chance of cuts/scars, and as much as I enjoy twisting leg locks, banning them at the amateur level could prevent a lot of injuries.

    You also might want to take a look at amateur Shooto rules, or old-school Pancrase rules.
     
  12. Su lin

    Su lin Gone away

    In the uk it's generally no head shots while standing too.
     
  13. callsignfuzzy

    callsignfuzzy Is not a number!

    LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAME!
     
  14. Su lin

    Su lin Gone away

    Tell me about it! Dreading my first amateur fight as I worry I will forget as never train that way.

    I'm all for punching in the face, I just think it may confuse matters.
     
  15. Moi

    Moi Warriors live forever x

    Just fight semi-pro. If you find you're getting your face punched in get to the ground.
     
  16. Su lin

    Su lin Gone away

    Isn't it better to get a decent am record first? The guys at my gym have all built up a decent amateur record then gone up to semi pro. Suppose it'll basically be a grappling comp without strikes.
     
  17. Moi

    Moi Warriors live forever x

    Ours get thrown in at the deep end. I think it would depend on whether you are a striker or not and how many fights you are planning on.
     
  18. LetsGetItOn

    LetsGetItOn Valued Member

    All interesting points..
    I personally, as a martial artist, am under the mindset that Amateur Sports should represent the same rules as Pro's, just on an amateur level with additional fighter safety;- using Amatuer Boxing as a prime example...

    If we start taking away certain rules then the sport is no longer the same sport, it is different, which in my opinion would then affect the semi-pro & pro divisions should those fighters choose to make the switch.

    One thing that could quite possibly be introduced could be a standing 8 count (again, further fighter protection). My vision of an amateur MMA structure would be for the fighters to aim to win by points or submissions as opposed to KO's, though i know the majority of spectators and fighters will in fact be looking for a KO due to the excitement factor!
     
  19. Moi

    Moi Warriors live forever x

    Same as
    Only difference is we use MMA gloves

    I don't know about safety equipment as it gets in the way but a good ref is essential. Would you allow GnP?
     
  20. shouldercarge

    shouldercarge Valued Member

    mma training gloves are a good idea for ammatures 7-80z instead of 4.
    i hate no hits to the head standing it gives grapplers to much of an advantage,i believe bodyshots only while on the ground was fair enough.
    i dont like the use of head gear in mma,it can be used to choke your opponent.

    i like this format but not some of the rules.ie amature tournament during the day.then the finals at night with a couple of higher profile headline fights-think its a good idea.
    tournament during the day to get a few fights in with no big audience just as a way for novice fighters to get exerience then the big fight card at night with some big matchups to get spectators in .
    http://infinitemma.com/index.php/forum/viewthread/12980/
     

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