MMA League

FiannaGym.com

Just a quick question for Mark and who ever else in involved and to broader MMA society at large...

Should the MMA league introduce classes like Shooto running all the way up to Pro level? It might be an interesting way to work up rankings and interest.

For example, league fights could still take place on other cards (COT, UFR) but would add to the overall league?

I dunno, just thought I'd throw that out there.

Peace

Tim_Murphy

Well there was superfights (semi-pro rules) in the league back in the day but they were discontinued, as Mark didn't think they were the way to go for the league. He was probably right. The use of more classes might be something worth thinking about but it would be a big change from what the league currently is.

Nothingcompares

I'm not in the intended audience Fianna talks about in his post but I've partcipated in the league for the last three years and have a keen following of Irish MMA. The UFR semi-pro shows have had "undercards" or amateur or league rule fights. These are great because they still prevent a rule set that makes it very difficult for a beginner to be hurt or out classed by a superior opponent but also expose people at entry level to the build up, atmosphere and frills and thrills of fighting on a show in front of a paying crowd.

However, I'd be far less approving of taking the opposite approach - adding matches of higher rule sets to the league. Like taking it back to the superfight days. Firstly because it undermines the league matches (and some will say rightfully so) and would be dismissive of the other people competing. The great thing about the league is that it's friendly and fun (most of the time) and there isn't any real attitude you might find at the pro level to the bouts. The other great thing is that everyone is treated completely equally, there is no favouritism or prima-donnas. No money (except the money you pay to enter).

I don't think the league is essential for a fighter to be grow within the sport of MMA but I think the league is essential for the sport of MMA to grow.

It would be cool if at the end of each league if the two guys at the top of each division (or weight group) fight off for 1st place at either it's own show or part of another event in late december/early janurary (or anytime really between Round 4 and Round 1). Obviously this presents a couple of practical problems but it's cool.

Roper

That would be cool alright if you could have a sort of final under amateur rules in the ring or cage on a show. Like you said Kevin there are practical problems like lads fighting in C or B class matches and doing the league too, but I'm sure at least 1 final could be done.

mark.leonard

Interesting suggestions Pearse! While I have a case of "not broken don't fix" as regards the League at the minute, anything that doesn't evolve becomes extinct so ideas are always welcome.

First off I am not sure how Shooto classes work so I can't comment there, we can already safely call League Matches 'D' class so from that aspect they are integrated with the class system in Irish MMA. Semi Pro matches won't be coming back, John urged me from the get go to take them out as they were an impediment to getting our target demographic, first time/inexperienced fighters, into the League. It wasn't until we stopped running them that I realised how right he was.

Moving the other direction could certainly be done however, the League format is very similar to the Open Combat trials run by ML Sports in the UK, they have a marquee event for the finals in each division with Judges so there are no draws and the whole shebang, still run on mats as per the regular event format, this is something I have considered before, but again that could be a deterrant for beginners to give it a go in case they wind up having to enter an event with a grandstand atmosphere the opposite of that promoted by the league.
If the Antrim leg gets dropped, which is a cost decision to be made next year, then there would be room for something like this maybe for the Veteran divisions only, but a lot of thought would have to be put into it to make sure there was no negative kickback.

There are fighters graduating from the League all the time and starting out in full rules shows at C and B class levels, this is probably the best next step for fighters as its purely voluntary and an increase in the skill level required.

FiannaGym.com

ML sports? Dang that takes me back.

I was training with Kav in St Andrews, back back in the day. Anyway, after about 4 sessions training I went to the Submission tourney they have. Got smoked by a cool blue belt, bought some pride vids and came home.
It was my first venture into the world of submission fighting, and when talking to do dudes about upcoming cards they were fighting on I realised how close the whole thing was. Great experience. haha.

Maybe the "league" is pretty much spot on. I was just wondering, ye know, that perhaps there should be a "pro" league or something. Basically put some consistency out there. I mean shooto is great because of it.

You have shooto gyms feeding shows, C class Fighters, B and A. You join a shooto gym and can then train in any shooto gym around the country (for a drop-in fee). I suppose when you have a huge MMA following like Japan but in Ireland its not neccessary.

Peace

conor rowan

sorry to hijack the thread but this is someway related to the mma league etc.
was thinking there recently about a varsities comp? perhps a team structured event.
Im sure UCD could put together a team havıng a MMA club but would there be enough people traınıng ın mma from other unı's eg UCG trınıtıy DIT etc for a decent comp.perhaps adding a 2 or 3yrs grace to the rules to allow for recent graduates

I know that the mma calender ıs already pretty packed but it seems it could be a good way to introduce people to MMA competitions ie fun friendly and not too ıntense wıth more than likely a good night out after. its also the perfect demographic - young people with too much time on theır hands:D

just putting the idea out for discussion as i personally dont have the time or ability to put said event together.

ideally a varsities would spawn a few more universıty based clubs which can introduce people to MMA and then act as a feeder club for a decent club based locally.

conor

Nothingcompares

if you allow a year or two grace for graduates TCD would probably be able to get 4/5 guys together. I'm sure UL and Maynooth could do the same. Never heard of anyone doing bjj/mma in dit but oyu never know, a handful of them could train with John Kavanagh for all I know.

dasmoose

We actually have a BJJ club at Queen's University Belfast - we'd only have 1 or 2 who'd do an mma league type event but we've plenty who'd be up for a sub wrestling event if thats what you're proposing...

conor rowan

im actually away for the year so it would be something i be looking into when i get back.
like i said at the moment im just floating the idea to see if its possible. but if there was clear interest id def look into org it. a submission tournament might be a better idea then if queens have a bjj club

mark.leonard

conor rowan wrote: »

sorry to hijack the thread but this is someway related to the mma league etc.
was thinking there recently about a varsities comp? perhps a team structured event.
Im sure UCD could put together a team havıng a MMA club but would there be enough people traınıng ın mma from other unı's eg UCG trınıtıy DIT etc for a decent comp.perhaps adding a 2 or 3yrs grace to the rules to allow for recent graduates

I know that the mma calender ıs already pretty packed but it seems it could be a good way to introduce people to MMA competitions ie fun friendly and not too ıntense wıth more than likely a good night out after. its also the perfect demographic - young people with too much time on theır hands:D

just putting the idea out for discussion as i personally dont have the time or ability to put said event together.

ideally a varsities would spawn a few more universıty based clubs which can introduce people to MMA and then act as a feeder club for a decent club based locally.

conor

I think that in theory a varsity competition would rock, but I would be worried about splitting the number of competitors that currently avail of the NSC, All Valley and the other competitions already being run.

These competitions are just as friendly as the league is and get excellent turn outs, which ultimately lead to a higher standard of competition.

Having a sub set of eligible competitors attend an intervarsity instead of say the NSC is all well and good, but is it better to have two small competitions as opposed to one bigger one?

Roper

Mark doth quoteth the truth.

I think maybe a visit to each college would be better. I also think every bloody student should get off their holes and stop watching Countdown, go to the banklink and get €20 of my money out to compete in the competitions that are already running.

And get a haircut!

columok

Not everyone can have a millenium combover like you Baz!!!

Maybe a university team division at the next big comp? Or at the MMA league?

dasmoose

Well QUB is already planning to bring as many of our students down as possible to enter the all valley in march.... maybe we could do some sort of team points system but only count points for uni teams?

TCD Judo can throw together a team for a grappling competition, especially if you give a few years grace for grads.

Nothingcompares

I was never thinking about varsity competition instead of competiting at one of the other events. Just as an add-on, I don't really think there would be more than 20 people competing at it anyway.

Piggy-backing the league or the NSC is a great idea from my perspective but I'm sure COlm and Mark would consider it a nightmare.

Roper

I have a DCU student card! Go team DCU... or...me as I like to call it.