Well I don't have a tag but I'm an Am fighter. I've only had 1 fight, I'm 1-0 and I would have more if not for some shady promoters and convenient injuries that can all be read in my log
My Am MMA Prep Log
Alright enough of that, I agree with what King Kabuki said. The only problem is that MMA is young, especially in certain areas and sometimes it comes down to take it or leave it. When your looking for experience, you have to make a choice and decide whats worth what.
As a pro, I think you shouldn't have to pay for anything. Someone is making money off of your fight, don't sell yourself short. Your the product. You should be getting travel, license, hotel and fighter pay (obviously).
Even as an amateur you should be getting something. Theres 2 shows in NJ that hold fights. They don't give shit for am fighters. No hotel, no travel, nothing. It's a 4 hour trip each way for me and its the closest thing for me. On top of that, when I get there, theres no place for me to wait if I'm early, no place for me to change or shower afterwards, nothing. And the promoter still makes money off of me. Thats gay.
In contrast, my brother found
www.NAAFS.tv in Cleavland, Ohio. Thats a little farther then NJ from me. The promoter is getting him a room for the night AND travel. He couldn't cover the entire plane ticket for my bro, the travel was based on driving, but he said he would be fine putting it toward a flight for him as long as my bro pays the rest. Thats awesome. Now you can be damn sure that when I'm healed up and ready to fight I'm gonna look at them first, not the crap in NJ. NJ put on a great show, but had nothing for the fighters.
I still might fight in NJ and get nothing because my freinds wanna see, but still, wheres the respect. Your making some guy money, if your amateur your not even getting paid to put your ass on the line and you'll end up spending money to make the promoter money. THATS FUCKED UP!
I never ended up fighting in NJ, my brother did, I went Upstate and fought at a charity event instead. It was a small show, held outside in bumfuck nowhere. The guy gave us a hotel for the night (3 of us), we didn't get travel but it was for charity so thats cool.
The point is don't let promoters mess with you. Theres tons of little shows out there, one of them will be good to you.