Issue 094

November 2012

Mixed martial arts enjoyed its first tabled talks with the International Olympic Committee, and had a clear presence at the London 2012 Games, both in an official capacity with the IMMAF holding seminars, and, indeed, casually at the Excel Arena.

Gareth A Davies

MMA and Boxing Correspondent for The Daily Telegraph, London

The IMMAF made representations to a few powerful figures with the IOC executive. Monitoring MMA on behalf of the IOC at seminars were Richard L Carrión of the executive IOC, from Puerto Rico; Ivan Dibós, from Peru; Habu Gumel, representing Nigeria; and Sweden’s Göran Petersson.

Carrion, 59, is a powerful and influential member of the IOC, and has been since 1990. At present, he chairs the finance commission and is a member of the IOC’s marketing, TV and internet rights commissions.

The renowned businessman and banker led the negotiation team for the US broadcast of the 2010 winter and 2012 summer Olympic Games – generating $2 billion in revenue. He was elected onto the IOC executive board in 2004.

Additionally, at the Excel Arena, where all the combat sports were taking place, I came across hundreds of MMA fans over the two weeks. They were there enjoying, boxing, judo, wrestling and taekwondo.

The serious business of MMA getting a grapple-hold on the IOC agenda – I gave my view in the September issue that I believe if it does get purchase it will be a very watered down version – will be a long process. But good luck to the IMMAF. Rio 2016 is as good a place as any to start.

August Wallen, president of IMMAF, explained: “Being part of the IOC seminars, having the opportunity to inform them about MMA, was a great step forward in getting recognition for MMA.

“Those of us who know MMA know that it is a true sport, but in the international sports community there is still a journey to be made, and this was a first great step. We believe that the Olympics would benefit as well from MMA and the young demographic it brings.

“In many ways, MMA has its roots in Brazil so, in that sense, it seems quite natural to present MMA in some form or other at the Olympics in Rio. Also, MMA has a huge fan base in Brazil with millions and millions of viewers. MMA would attract a lot of spectators and would thus contribute back to the Olympic movement.”

As for participation, the IMMAF has suggested a straight elimination tournament with both male and female divisions. It is unclear how many weight divisions have been suggested, but it would likely be three in the first showing. “Building the sport from the grass-roots up for both men and women is important for us,” Wallen added. Best wishes in a long process for acceptance.  

Edgar deserved A trilogy – yet again!

Petulance rarely comes across well in the Octagon, but Frankie Edgar’s throwing of his cap in utter desperation when Benson Henderson’s hand was raised after their second meeting in Denver at UFC 150 was both understandable and justified.

Judge Tony Weeks had it spot on at 49-46, but I’d like to know why Mark Van Tine and Dave Hagen gave Henderson, who had a look of defeat etched into the furrows of his forehead, any of the last three rounds. Scribbled across his face was the suspicion he thought he’d lost the decision.

This was the scoring as it panned out on the official cards: Mark Van Tine and Dave Hagen gave rounds one, three and four to Henderson. Tony Weeks gave two, three, four, five to Edgar. Mystifying.

The hardest round to score, from my perspective (I watched it on TV having been at the Olympic Games on the night in question) was the second. I gave it to Edgar. Henderson clearly won the first, and you could have given him the second also. But the last three rounds were the property of the New Jersey native.

It was the worst decision I’ve seen in some time. ‘Robbery’ is a word overused in the subjective scoring of fight sports, but here was a clear case for an inquiry. Moreover, there should be grounds for an appeal on this to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. By rights – even though UFC president Dana White has said there would be no trilogy fight – Edgar ought to have been able to take the result to a tribunal.