MMA Veterans Launch First Sanctioning Body for the Sport
Posted by Damian Sarcuni on 11.14.2007
WAMMA – World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts – Will Rank Fighters, Establish Unified Rules, Ensure Safety of Fighters, Sanction World Championship Bouts
NEW YORK - Today at Gallagher's famous steakhouse, some of mixed martial arts' most well known veterans and media gathered together for the launching of WAMMA, the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts. Unlike current MMA promotions or organizations, WAMMA seeks to become a unified sanctioning body for the entire sport of mixed martial arts, which will rank fighters, establish unified rules, and sanction inter-promotional world championship bouts. 411Mania was on hand to speak with the brains behind the WAMMA operation, including noted MMA veterans and personalities like Don "The Predator" Frye, Pat Militech, and former pro-wrestler/MMA commentator Bill Goldberg.
To start the afternoon off, a video package was shown to showcase various MMA organizations and the sport of MMA itself, explaining how a unified sanctioning organization will benefit not only the sport in general, but promoters, fighters, and fans as well. The floor was then turned over to Dave Szady, former FBI assistant director for counter intelligence. Szady said that WAMMA hopes to break new ground by creating stability in the sport of MMA. He explained that WAMMA will administer a rankings board for all MMA fighters, regardless of organization. WAMMA will not own fighters, nor handle promotions. WAMMA will sponsor championship bouts, with the winners getting a WAMMA championship belt recognized globally. Szady went on to say that all the fans, promoters, and fighters WAMMA has been in contact with have expressed positive reactions towards the formation of a sanctioning body.
The floor was then turned over to questions from the press. Pat Militech used the recent situation between Randy Couture and Fedor Emelianenko to better explain a situation where two fighters wanted to fight each other but could not due to promotional differences. Asked how such a sanctioning body is possible, Szady said that promoters would not be obligated to make two fighters face off, but pressure from the fans and media would make this happen. Bill Goldberg added that promoters want everyone to know they have the best fighters in the world, and that will be added incentive for promoters to join.
Szady also mentioned that WAMMA wants to be involved in getting MMA legalized in more cities and American states. Asked about the UFC's willingness to get on board from a financial perspective, with the fan base often being ignored, Szady responded that WAMMA is going to be involved for a long haul. He stated that as long as it takes for the UFC to get on board is as long as they are willing to wait. Michael B. Lynch, WAMMA's executive vice president, also added that it is still too early to say that the fan base won't listened to. He explained that the Randy Couture/Fedor Emelianenko situation has only just happened, but fans still want to see that fight and it is still very possible.
Asked about how the fighters will be ranked, Lynch mentioned some notable names who will participate in the rankings board such as Mauro Ranallo, Ann Marie Lynch, and former 411 writer Sam Caplan. The panel also talked about how WAMMA would look to sponsorships to earn money for this endeavor, so in example we might see a "WAMMA Budweiser Heavyweight Champion" or a "WAMMA Hooters Champion". At this, Bill Goldberg quipped, "For the record I am already the WAMMA Hooters World Champion!" which drew laughter from the crowd. Pat Militech was asked about fighting under different rules and how it would affect rankings, but Pat responded that in general fighters can adjust to different rule sets using common sense and they won't have a deep effect on the rankings.
Lynch further explained that WAMMA's rankings will be a top 10 ranking for 5 divisions: lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight. He also mentioned that all fighters from all promotions will be ranked, but Dave Szady added that so far most promotions have had a wait and see attitude toward the sanctioning body and have not pulled their fighters from the potential rankings. Fighters will be ranked based on performance in the octagon or ring, as well as strength of competition. Asked about what would stop another organization from forming another sanctioning, ranking body, Szady mentioned that this was also a concern when they spoke with the UFC. There isn't much they can do to stop that. However, their success depends upon fighters and promoters who want to be recognized as the best in the world and know that the whole thing needs to come from one unified source. Asked about how an organization might react to their champion fighter not being ranked highly, Szady responded that fighters will bring pressure to move up in the rankings and get the shot at the so called world championship.
"WAMMA is here to stay," said Szady. "All of the promotions have great fighters and deserving champions, but there are simply too many champions in too many varying weight divisions – it is confusing to the average fan. WAMMA will change that by sanctioning unified world championship fights, increasing the integrity and viability of the sport for the fighters and the fans, while at the same detracting nothing from individual MMA promotions."
