Issue 084

January 2012

Molly Qerim Fighters Only World MMA Awards Co-host

People often ask me what my experiences have been in four years as a female reporter/host in a male-dominated sport like mixed martial arts. The God’s honest truth is that I’ve received nothing but respect. Whether it be working for ESPN on MMA Live, for Versus anchoring some of their WEC coverage, with the UFC for their UFC Central show, or now working with Fighters Only co-hosting the World MMA Awards for the second year running, everyone has been incredibly gracious.

I’ve had the opportunity to cover the NFL, college football and college basketball and in MMA there’s a definite respect and an appreciation from the fighters and everybody who’s involved. There’s a passion and desire to see MMA grow. As far as the fighters, I’m sure there are times where the last thing they want to do is talk to a reporter, but they appreciate that they’re getting the coverage they deserve. Let’s be honest, mixed martial arts has grown leaps and bounds, but compared to other sports like the NFL in the US, it’s just not quite there yet. But it is on its way and the annual World MMA Awards is a part of that.

Last year I co-hosted with Randy Couture and this year it was myself and Mr Chael Sonnen. I had an opportunity to work with him a little bit at MMA Live too and that man is made for TV. The World MMA Awards is hugely important for MMA. Every other sporting community gets recognized. Not only does it bring the whole sport of mixed martial arts together, from journalists to clothing companies and beyond, but it also gives the sport the exposure it needs. People get to see what it’s really all about and see a different side of these athletes. It’s great for fans to see the fighters leave the gloves at home and step out in a sleek suit or elegant evening dress. And I feel like quite a few fighters over the years have definitely stepped their game up as far as fashion goes. Just look at the MMA Live guys like Kenny Florian and Rashad Evans. I definitely felt the pressure to step my game up this year. There were some nerves thinking about the dress I wanted to get for the ceremony. 

What I love about the award show is that you get a chance to see the fighters outside of the high-pressure, ‘stepping into the cage’ scenario. They get to be relaxed, joking and interacting with their peers and having fun. 

Another thing that is so great about MMA is how entertaining and fun these fighters are. And MMA is unique in that, at the Awards, industry divides are dropped for the night. When would you ever expect to see a Bjorn Rebney, a Scott Coker and a Dana White in the same venue? It’s the same with the fighters. When do you get to see all these different guys who go head-to-head in the cage in the same venue? It’s fantastic. Even if I were sitting in the audience I’d be just as pumped to be a part of it.

When I was starting out in sports journalism five years ago I could have pursued many different sports but I wanted to cover mixed martial arts – something I was exposed to through my brother-in-law. Certainly part of the reason was to help shift opinions and prejudices about MMA. Many of us who work in the industry feel like we’re involved in a pioneering movement that’s misunderstood. I’ll get defensive when people speak poorly of the sport. I feel like they’re ignorant to it and they don’t understand the art of martial arts. I want to see it grow and see it develop.

As a female it’s very important to me to represent the sport with integrity, with class. It’s how any other sport would be covered. If I approached it any other way I’d be doing a disservice. I grew up in a gym. My family has two in my hometown and I’ve worked in gyms since I was 15. I can’t tell you how welcoming the New York City MMA gym, Mushin MMA, I go to has been. The vibe and the environment of wanting to reach goals and develop, I’ve never experienced something like that. It’s not at all like the meat market some people expect. As a woman, I have the chance to try and reach the pinnacle in my profession, now maybe it’s time for female fighters to have the same opportunity in the UFC. A couple of years ago I might have been more hesitant, but having the chance to practice Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu, MMA conditioning and falling in love with the training element of the sport as well, of course there should be a place. Why not? If it’s something a female feels passionate about and that’s what they want to do with their career path, why would you ever stop them? I know there’s been talk in the past from some people at the UFC that there would never be a place for women’s MMA there, but I think that could change. I hope it’s with the UFC, but if not, I’m sure there will be another promotion with a women’s division. Come on, it’s 2011! Anything men can do we can do better.