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Jason Appleton Talks 'MMA Big Show'
14 Feb 2010
By Dean Parr
Jason Appleton's 'MMA Big Show' outfit, based in Cincinatti, Ohio in the US is going from strength to strength. Junie Browning featured on a recent show, proving they have the 'pulling power' to bring in the big names, and they also serve as an excellent launchpad for local talent. Jason caught up with MMA Hit Pit to discuss the highs and lows of promotion, and what he sees in the future for 'MMA Big Show'.
"It's been a roller coaster that's for sure" were Jason's first words when talking about his promoting. He continued "A lot has gone into the past three years of building the promotion, and a great deal more will be going into it in 2010 - I've enjoyed the ride".
Jason once aspired to be a top MMA fighter himself, but one event in his life changed everything. "I started training as a fighter, but my wife got pregnant with our first and that changed everything overnight, so I started focusing on the business over training. I'd still like to fight in 2010 at least once though."
'MMA Big Show' was the business venture Jason spoke of, and he described how the whole thing got off the ground. "It started as an idea after watching an event with the G-Force fight team I was a member of at the time back in 2006. I just got the idea and began making calls to set up my first show. Dan Severn was one of the first fighters I had ever seen in MMA action and he was also the first special guest commentator I ever had. It was pretty cool. I've been doing events all over the Tri-State ever since."
Since then, MMA Big Show has developed, and it is slowly, but surely becoming a name on the domestic scene in the US. On the future for the company, Jason said "I don't ever plan to be a competitor with the UFC or Strikeforce - I'm realistic. I just want to have a promotion large enough to be recognized on a national level and doing well enough to be able to retire doing what I love someday while being able to employ those who deserve the job. I just want the MMA Big Show to be a nationally recognized launching pad for up and coming talent."
He acknowledges that promoting has it's ups and downs, but he has a clear idea of what the highs and lows of it are. "Selling out venues is always a high point. It's a rush to know you put something together that so many people enjoy - no way to explain it" said Jason. However, in contrast, he did point out one low in particular. He revealed "My low point was losing over $50,000 on my second event in Cincinnati, OH. That was a tough bump in the road to get over."
As mentioned earlier, Appleton does an excellent job with regards to showcasing local talent. In fact, at his last show, 'MMA Big Show: Onslaught', there were no less than 13 amateur bouts. When asked if he thought any of his amateur fighters were destined for greatness, he immediately fired back "Chris "The Samurai" Bennett. Hands down one of the best pound for pound fighters I've ever seen. He's 19 years old, 16-1 and wont go pro until he's had 20 fights as an amateur. Watch this kid shoot through the ranks."
While there is obviously a ton of stress involved with promotion, Jason pointed out that it has it's funny times too, andtold one story that highlights this point. "Roger Bowling, though a KO artist as a fighter is also a major practical joker. He loves prank calling people and does it to all of us all the time. A couple events ago he prank called one of the other fighters on the card telling him he was with the Casino and wanted to sponsor his fight the following night. Roger told him he was the best fighter he had seen and wanted him to train his kids, etc etc. Really pumped this amateur fighter up. He told the guy to come down to the front desk at 9am and ask for Big Willy so they could discuss money. Sure enough, 9am rolled around and Roger and some others were hanging out by the pay phones watching this poor bastard asking everyone for Big Willy while trying to explain what he had been told. It was hilarious, but sad."
The next 'MMA Big Show' event is on February 20th. The event will has been named 'Triple Threat', and will feature Roger Bowling, Billy 'Mojo' Horne and Dave Hess.
Jason urges people to check out the company. He proclaimed "We have the best production and best fighters in the region, hands down. The Big Show is often compared to the likes of the UFC both from a fan perspective and behind the scenes by fighters who have competed there."
As a final message to all 'MMA Big Show' fans, Jason said "I just want to say thank you to everyone who comes out and supports the MMA Big Show and our fighters. We really work hard to put on these events and encourage everyone to come to more shows more often and help us make the shows even bigger. Thank you."
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