Issue 016

August 2006

By Grant Waterman

If you are reading this magazine then you are already a fan of MMA, you will know there are many rules fighters must obey, and you are probably aware of the two biggest organisations in the world and the differences in each organisation’s list of fouls. The UFC have developed their rules with the guidance of the Nevada State Athletic Commission into what are almost certainly the most widely used and accepted guidelines for MMA across the world (although some promotions will not allow elbow strikes to the head of a downed fighter). 

Then there is the PRIDE Fighting Championships in Japan, who have some major differences. Apart from not allowing elbow strikes to the head of a downed fighter, PRIDE allow knee strikes and kicks to the head when a fighter is grounded. This can mean that a standing fighter can ‘soccer kick’ his opponent to the head, even if he is down on all fours. Now initially you may think that PRIDE rules are more dangerous than UFC rules, however the PRIDE organisation has considerable material showing that their rules have resulted in less injuries than in matches using UFC rules, (bear in mind that there has never been a death or major long term injury directly related to a MMA competition, both UFC and PRIDE have exemplary safety records). 

There are of course arguments for both sides of this issue, and in fact many people who would say that true MMA should actually have fewer rules than exist today. Both the UFC and PRIDE have shown some interest in marketing their product throughout the UK and European markets, and the London-based show Cage Rage have formed an alliance with PRIDE to act as a feeder show for non-Japanese competitors. This has meant that Cage Rage have modified their rules to include some PRIDE-like aspects, while still remaining acceptable to city councils and the ‘do-gooders’ who could cause problems for our beloved sport. (What will all the do-gooders do when all the good is done?) Since the modifications, Cage Rage have had fewer fights stopped due to cuts, and the Open Guard rule certainly gets the crowds on their feet.

With these rule differences it can be quite frustrating for fighters who may be training to fight in any organisation. It’s important that a fighter develops reactions that don’t require much thought, and by that I mean landing a certain technique at the instant the opportunity arises without hesitation. Imagine training for years and becoming great at striking with your elbows to your opponent’s head when you are both on the ground, and then you get the chance of a big payday on a show that doesn’t allow them. It can change the whole way you fight, and in fact could make you a lot less effective, unless you have the time to re-program yourself.

So why isn’t there a recognised set of standardised rules and guidelines that every professional MMA organisation in the world adheres to? Every MMA fighter would be able to train to fight in any show in any country. Champions could become undisputed. More people could get an easier understanding of what is going on in a fight. Mainstream popularity would increase. It would just be more beneficial for all involved, in every way, surely? Well, what I’m ignoring here of course is the politics involved and the intense rivalry between businesses. While every MMA promotion on the planet wants the sport to grow and gain a wider audience, each one would like to have the biggest piece of the cake. 

If we could get all the major organisations to sit around a table on neutral ground with the single goal of discussing and agreeing on a set of globally accepted rules and guidelines that maximised safety, while taking nothing away in excitement for the spectator, and with a possible view to setting up an international governing body, MMA could really start to become the number one in combat sports entertainment. Lets just look at the UK for a second- MMA is growing over here as fast as anywhere else in the world, if not more so. More and more shows are popping up, and more fighters are appearing on a weekly basis. Many of these fighters train very hard, and although they still work, they consider themselves to be professionals. 

I have to say that just about every show I have worked on in the UK goes out of their way to make sure that fighters safety is top priority, and that good officials are in place. However, because there is no enforced licensing for fighters competing over here there are some outstanding health issues, which concern me. I know British fighters who personally have been tested for HIV and hepatitis and have had brain scans, but what about their opponents? Sometimes there is a fair amount of blood spilt in the Octagon, and it really should be compulsory that every fighter at every level has him or herself checked out. (UK promotions do enforce strict medicals the day before a show, but these do not include MRI scans or blood tests). 

What is needed here is an injection of money into the sport. If fighter purses were increased I’m sure everyone would be happy to pay for a complete professional boxing style license. Cage Rage have always encouraged their fighters to have their own checks carried out, and in the near future I will be assisting them and other UK promotions in raising the awareness of these issues and helping them to introduce more stringent medical checks for fighters which can only benefit and protect the sport even more. I’d also be more than willing to chair a meeting with all the major international MMA promotions, officials and governing bodies, and yes I know it is unlikely to ever happen. 

This is a hot topic and I could go on and on, but they only give me the one page in this mag. The sport of MMA, be it in an Octagon or a ring, is growing bigger and bigger and gaining momentum all the time. Let’s protect it in every way we can and not give any ammunition to the scaremongers and so called do-gooders who don’t understand it and who’d like to see it banned. Not that they could ban it anyway, we’re just too big.