|
|
5th October
05 Oct 2009 5:50PM
Hello again.
I thought I best get a blog done before Del puts a contract on my head!
It's been an odd few weeks, I appear to been very busy with lots of things, so no time to myself to get my stuff done... like blog! Usual format for this week, however, next time around one section is going to drop... for obvious reasons!
M1 Team England
Most of you know by now, but the ride is over. After a year of M-1, Team England have unfortunately not made it to the finals. It's really disappointing, would of been great to get to the final two, but let's not forget what a huge achievement it has been. England's first year in M-1 and we won our division and made it to the semi's. Awesome! I am so proud of all the team and their achievements. Going into the finals now will be Russian Legion and USA East (... Brasil North). That will be an awesome match up and very difficult to call. A real East v West night of action... like Rocky 4! For the moment, it's going to be a little down time, before considering plans for 2010. There are some format changes hinted at, so no one knows what next year will hold. If all goes well and we put another team in place, I believe the plan will be to hold try outs (maybe a 2-3 up and down the country?) and pick a squad of 20-30 fights. From that squad we can pick the best five fighters for each team we face. Nothing is set in stone, but if you want to be on the team, start focusing on some try outs around January!
Team Colosseum
Alongside Matt's loss to heel hook in Russia, Team Colosseum have completed the set with a draw and a win at AMMA. AMMA is Marc Goddard's amateur show in the Midlands. The smart people will know Marc from his fighting career and currently from his many appearances as referee on a number of high profile shows. He runs a tight ship at AMMA, its a professionally run show...... better than some we have worked with! On the last AMMA we had Ste Lane making his debut, Awesome performance that saw Ste get a 1st round submission win. Big things ahead for Ste! Also on the show was Sam Fergusson, debuting at WW after a few fights at middle. Sam got a draw for his troubles, but put on a superb performance, which many people have said he should of won. Sam is fighting on Ikon Fight, along with Steve Hazeldine and Chris Thompson.
The team has also started working with a new Strength and conditioning coach, Phil Marsden. Phil is working with Chris Thompson and Sam Fergusson to advise them on a number of areas in their training. Phil himself has had a successful career in Rugby and current works with Leigh Rugby team as well as holding the JC Santana MMA-CSCC qualification, specifically for Mixed Martial Arts. We are expecting some big results. Phil is keen to work with other fighters, so feel free to contact him directly - Philmarsden4@hotmail.co.uk and mobile number is 07951427322
MMA noise
What's getting my gripe at the moment is the number of shows that profess to be 'professional' shows, but are leagues away from being so. One of the downsides of a sport like MMA growing is that it attracts people keen to make some money on the back of it. Nothing wrong with making money, but often these promoters (and coaches, etc) don't have a solid understanding or grounding in the sport or even in the area they are working with. Once you get past the promoter themselves, many of whom are self-righteous and arrogant before you have even started, you start having to deal with the pitfalls of an unregulated sport. Without a governing body in the UK, promoters have free reign to use any rules set they desire, any pay structure the feel warranted and any number of other things. Over the last few months I have had to deal with a number of things:
- A promoter who couldn't understand that for me to have 3 fighters on a show 250 miles from home, with a day before weigh in, we would need more than one hotel room! Also, a ticket deal isn't really going to be a worthwhile payment method for someone fighting that far away from his fan base!
- A promoter that didn't see an issue with fighters weighing in at different times, on different scales and even in different venues!
- A promoter that expected fighters to be exactly on weight and then put fighters in a hotel with no sauna or gym facilities or even close to any similar facilities!
- A judge who handed me a score card for a fight that had been won in the 3rd round by submission.... his score card had no result for round 2 and he didn't even remember there being a round two
- The same judge involved n a conversation with a crowd member in between rounds of a fight he was judging. The crowd member was a team mate of one of the guys fighting!
- A judge seeking my advice after a round, "How do you score that round"!!!
That's just a taste of what's out there. Anyone new to the sport, looking to get involved should take the time to at least understand the sport that they are getting involved in. What is expected of them in the job they are doing. With the absence of a governing body, we are self regulated. It carries responsibilities for the whole of UK MMA so everyone has to take their responsibilities seriously. What ever your job in MMA, promoter, ref, judge, etc. Do it to the best of your capabilities, be above reproach and be professional. One day we may be under the microscope and it will be these individual performances that will demonstrate how professional the sport is!
I am going to sign of with a shameless plug..
.. alongside my coaching duties at Colosseum and M-1 Team England, I am also involved if judging for a number of shows (OMMAC is my regular haunt) and commentating at a number of shows (inc Cage Warriors, Champions and Strike & Submit).. which I do with my partner in crime, Ian "Beverley Hills" Butlin. If you are in need of a judge or commentator with a professional attitude, get in contact. aaronchatfield@hotmail.co.uk
Until next time
Chin down, hands up
Aaron
|
|