Changes to Unified Rules judging criteria afoot?

An Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) committee has recommended a batch of changes be implemented to the often-criticized Unified Rules judging criteria. Among the alterations is to give striking and grappling equal weight in judging rounds, while effective defense will no longer be scored, with the report stating: “Defense is its own reward.” The removal of ‘damage’ as a criterion descriptor was also suggested. At the time of going to press, the adjustments were scheduled to undergo assessment. If approved, US athletic commissions, under whose jurisdiction the majority of UFC bouts fall, will be able to adopt the changes.

MMA veteran Sherman Pendergarst passes away

Former UFC and Bellator fighter and seven-year MMA veteran Sherman Pendergarst passed away in July at 45 after a two-year battle with cancer. He last fought to a no contest in February this year. A Miletich Fighting Systems product, ‘The Tank’ debuted in the UFC in 2006 at UFC 65 in a losing effort to kickboxer Antoni Hardonk. It would be his final Octagon appearance in a career that saw him battle names like Shane Carwin, Joey Beltran and Justin Eilers.

Tristar Gym helps launch 'Fund a Fighter' scheme

A unique program aimed at sourcing crowdfunding for fighters has been started by renowned Tristar Gym trainer Firas Zahabi and two Montreal entrepreneurs. An online system which allows fans to act in a similar fashion as sponsors, Fund A Fighter provides the opportunity to donate money to fighters in exchange for incentives such as tickets, autographs and fight-worn gear. UFC featherweight Joey Gambino will be one of the first to use the system. He said: “Knowing that I won’t have to struggle financially to cover all of my expenses for my next training camp will be a huge weight off my shoulders.”

IMMAF begins early Olympics processes

The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) recently began engaging with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in

the very first steps toward bringing MMA forward for consideration

for the Games. The IMMAF was invited to a seminar held during

London 2012 looking to study sports not currently in the Olympics.

“A seat at the table in these meetings is more than we could have

expected at this time,” said IMMAF board member George Sallfeldt, “and we [took] the opportunity not only to educate about MMA but also to listen and learn.”

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