Process to getting first fight

Krossinc · 02-12-2007, 08:11 PM

Without getting too heavy in my training history, I'm currently not affiliated with any gym but am doing my training privately with other individuals. I am looking to do my first fight at the beginning of the summer in the 205lb weight division. However, I'm unsure of the process of contacting promoters and such and getting it set up so that I am actually fighting someone near my skill level. For those of you experienced in this, advice is welcome. IF it matters, I alternate between the Savannah, Ga area and Richmond, VA.

Feel free to let me know if this is the wrong forum, I didn't really see an appropriate place to put it.

P-Town BeatDown · 02-12-2007, 08:22 PM

I think there is a sticky in the ask the fighters forum on this stuff. I never opened it though, so I am not sure.

Out here there are a lot of smaller orgs where "self trained fighters" enter all the time. I have to warn you though, I have yet to see one do well. Not to say that they/you can't, Its just my experience.

As far as matching you up with same-level comp, thats sort of out of their hands. You will most likely be put in with someone who has a similar record, but that does not necessarily mean they have the same amount of experience. They could have been training for years, maybe even have tons of am. boxing matches (for example) but be 1-0 in MMA. Just remember, if you sign up for a fight, that is usually what you will get.

Krossinc · 02-12-2007, 08:31 PM

I'm not a fully self-trained fighter. I spent many years in kickboxing and such (original aspirations were kickboxing until I got addicted to MMA 5 years back). I've trained at various clubs off and on (been moving a lot) and am joining a new BJJ dojo in the next few weeks. I was just looking for a bit of insight to the process of getting the ball rolling. Thanks for the response, and I do understand the similar record aspects. I would just hate for my first experience in the ring/cage (whichever) end up being one that's completely mis-matched from the start.

P-Town BeatDown · 02-12-2007, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krossinc

I'm not a fully self-trained fighter. I spent many years in kickboxing and such (original aspirations were kickboxing until I got addicted to MMA 5 years back). I've trained at various clubs off and on (been moving a lot) and am joining a new BJJ dojo in the next few weeks. I was just looking for a bit of insight to the process of getting the ball rolling. Thanks for the response, and I do understand the similar record aspects. I would just hate for my first experience in the ring/cage (whichever) end up being one that's completely mis-matched from the start.

For sure. And to tell you the truth, from the ones I have gone to out here there are a lot of people around your skill set that fight in the smaller orgs. There is a very good chance that you will end up fighting someone with pretty much the same pedigree. But there is always that chance (which I am sure you already considered, I just like to hear myself talk sometimes

).

As far as getting your foot in the door, most orgs just ask for some tape and maybe an application. they are not to terribly difficult to get into, as a lot of them will regularly hold 20 fights on 1 card. If you know the names of some of the orgs, google them. If you are lucky they will have a website with all the info for "perspective fighters." Here is an example of one out here. Look at their requirements and I would assume that most places are abou the same.

http://www.thefcff.com/

Good luck man. keep us posted.

fullerene · 02-13-2007, 08:58 AM

The bad news for you is that most of the smallest, entry level shows are primarily composed of fighters from two or three gyms (pay attention to the team affiliations next time you go to one of those shows). It's a lot easier for a promoter to put together a card that way.

I'd suggest going to a local gym that has fighters who fight in the kind of shows you're looking for and (very modestly) ask one of the trainer or fighters if they have any open sparring days where you can get some work in. Tell them you're hoping to get some organized fights but you want to get some extra work in first. This will 1) help you guage whether you're ready or not, and 2) give you some contacts with the gym. After you've sparred a few times the guys should open up to you and you can ask them about what local shows are coming up and if there's any room for you to fight on the card.

IkkussSpikkuss · 02-13-2007, 01:34 PM

If you don't know someone, your best bet is to either go to one of the smaller shows that you might want to fight at in the future and talk to the guys in charge about possibly fighting. The websites for KOTC, WEC and so on also have links to e-mail them info if you're a fighter (that might be your best bet). The downside is that if you don't know anyone you run the risk of them feeding you to one of their "up & commers". No real way of avoiding that except researching the guy before you agree to fight him. But if you say "no" enough (and "enough" might be once) they won't call you anymore. My advice, get hooked up with a gym/camp/trainer who is established in the fight game (that you can trust!) let him set the fights up and then fight whoever he tells you to. He'll probubly ask for a small percentage of your winnings, but it'll be worth it to take your mind out of the business end of things and just consentrate on kicking ass and taking names. It'll kinda be like he's your agent or something. Then after a few wins you can get a real agent. I've known someguys who get an agent before their first fight, but they usually have a crazy background in whatever and so its assumed that they will make decent money and have to choose which fights to fight right off the bat. I assume that will not be your situation. So I say find an experienced guy you can trust and let him get your name out there.

P.S. Have you fought in any smokers yet? If not you really really really really should! It lets you know what you need to work on and helps you get the cage experience you'll need without going against your record. If you want to know how to fight in a smoker just call all the serious MMA or MT gyms in your area and ask them if they put on smokers. If they do ask if you can fight in one. They usually need guys to fill in fights. Just a thought. Good luck bro!

jonnywonny · 02-13-2007, 01:42 PM

Be careful dude, a lot of the smaller orgs can just be a stomping ground for local meat heads to flex their stuff. Just keep an eye on a local org and check out the level of professionalism. And I'm not just talking about skill level, the attitude of the fighters, ability to stick to the rules etc.

Also roid heads are using these arenas to get their kicks, lying about records so they get deliberately mismatched with someone they know they can pound. Other than that though good luck.

Krossinc · 02-14-2007, 06:55 PM

Great responses guys, thanks a lot. I recently signed up with a BJJ gym, but that won't be too much help finding a show to compete in considering they refuse to support MMA competition untill at least purple belt. I'm not waiting a few years, haha.

I do think I'm going to observe some events. It's hard to tell much about an organization over the internet considering most of the sites look as if they were made by third graders without their redlin. Any note, anyone heard of 'Ruckus in the Cage?' Apparently they do a lot of mid-east coast shows. A lot of the fighters are listed as debut fighters there and vary in range. I think I might stop by one of their shows to see what they're like.

In the 205lb division I'm not too overly worried about the roid heads. I have to cut a lot just to make the 205lb weight myself (I walk around at bout 230, 5'10.) I do have a lot of size/strength going for me so that helps a lot when it comes to assholes just looking for kicks. I'm looking forward to it though, and I thank you all for the advice. If my funds keep coming in well, I'm also going to be signing up for a local boxing gym. Sadly, there are no MT gyms in the area.

Nick Fletcher · 02-14-2007, 11:42 PM

Here are some websites for events being held in VA and GA. I don't know where any of these cities are in relation to you but at least they are the same state.

http://www.statelinemma.com - Bristol, VA
http://www.xffonline.com - Dalton, GA
http://www.knuckleupmma.com - Peachtree City, GA
http://www.thefightparty.com - Atlanta, GA
http://www.valdostamac.com - GA

I don't know anything about any of these orgs, but it will give you a place to start looking at smaller shows in your area.

Kyle Johnson · 02-15-2007, 12:16 AM

I have to say bro, if you dont know the promoter by name, your not going to get a fair shot. Theres two different ways to get into it. Have a good team affiliation (be part of a large team or train under someone with ties) or just do like some do and hope on myspace and email and contact promoters. If your not part of a good deal or its your first fight, your more then likely going to be a "feeder'. The promoter is going to feed you to one of his guys, it sucks but thats how it works. Now if you win, gratz, next time you may not have to be the one bought in to lose, but that does'nt happen often. My first fight i was fresh off college wrestling season and one of my friends and i found a fight on a months notice and we took it. When we got their we were badly lied to about our fighters and i ended up fighting a guy that outweighed my by about 50lbs (STL apparently has no AC lol, thanks again). After that i started training under Team Jorge Gurgel and have goten a few fights where it was even odds. I'm on good terms with a few promoters and can get myself or my teammates good fights....i would say find a team, train for a few months then get in there and do it, guts only gets you so far bro.