Stann: Unsanctioned show is ‘criminal’
Brian Stann on unregulated show: “What takes place there is criminal and I think it needs to be exposed, People should absolutely avoid it.”
Journalism in mixed martial arts only very rarely ranges into the longer form, looking soberly at the serious issues of the day. In a beautiful exception, MMAFighting.com’s Marc Raimondi did a three-part series on a controversial, unsanctioned show in California – XPlode MMA.
Part 1: Viral KO video spurs state investigation into unsanctioned MMA events in California
Part 2: Xplode explained: A look inside unsanctioned MMA events in California
Part 3: Worth the risk? Fighters explain why they compete on unsanctioned shows
If you love this sport at a level deeper than whether or not Ronda Rousey’s mole could “Judo throw” Floyd Mayweather, do yourself a favor, and read the series.
Fighters who ‘no show’ are a big problem in the regional level, big shows are entranced by long win streaks, and medicals can cost up to $1,000. As a consequence, Gregg Sharpe’s XPlode Fight Series organizes his events so that by many accounts medicals including bloodwork are optional, and an opponent will be found or your money back even if the opponent is 0-20.
Raimondi looks at the case of Pat Cummins, and former member of the US national wrestling team. Cummins, needing the experience, took the fight with an apparently untrained guy in board shorts.
To date, the opponent has never won a fight.
“I was in a place where I needed a fight,” Cummins said. “I was grateful for the fight, but it was a f—ing weird experience.”
Cummins said he knew things were a little different at Xplode when he arrived and found out he’d be fighting outdoors, under what he described as a “metal overhang.” Cummins said he and Parsons went to give Sharp his blood work documents and Sharp waved them off, saying he trusted them.
According to Cummins, Sharp also told Cummins to “go easy” on his opponent. Cummins said the XFS cutman told him the exact same thing. Then, he saw his opponent. Ricky Pulu, who currently holds an 0-6 professional record, certainly didn’t look the part of a trained MMA fighter.
“I don’t want to talk any crap on the guy, because obviously the guy came in and gave me a fight, because obviously I didn’t have one,” Cummins said. “But he just seemed like he didn’t belong. He was just wearing board shorts like you would wear to go swimming. I really don’t think he had any formal training.”
Cummins, now a top-15 level UFC light heavyweight, said it was the worst fight experience of his career.
“By far the worst,” he said. “I’ve fought in a bar. I’ve fought in what you would consider a small show, but it was still professional. That was definitely a different level.”
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Brian Stann, the former UFC fighter and current FOX analyst, said it’s on the coaches to make sure their athletes make the right decisions. 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Costa Mesa coach Casey Halstead has told his fighters they’re not allowed to compete at Xplode anymore or he won’t train them. Ricardo Feliciano, coach at Dan Henderson’s Team Quest, is keeping his top female prospect, Ashley Yoder, in sanctioned BAMMA events, even if they don’t run nearly as often.
“The way to fix that is no credible martial arts gym or trainer, if they have any ounce of integrity, should sign up any of their fighters to fight there,” Stann said. “I cannot imagine [coaches are] making much money. If they think that big promoters in bigger shows are watching and value records from there, the only way they’re getting in is on short notice when they really need somebody. You’re faking yourself into thinking you’re better than you are.”
In Stann’s opinion, the entire thing is “criminal.”
“What takes place there is criminal and I think it needs to be exposed,” he continued. “People should absolutely avoid it. And if I was looking at the promoter in his face, I’d tell him right in his eyes the same thing.”
In a touch that the UG will doubtless find interesting, Sharp said that he uses Cecil Peoples frequently as a ref.
Xplode Fight Series and other unregulated shows in California are under investigation by the California State Athletic Commission for irresponsible matchmaking and potentially unsafe conditions.The CSAC may make it it policy to revoke or suspend the licenses of fighters who compete at unsanctioned events, on a case-by-case basis.
Cover image shows two fighters warming up before a fight, and a fighter being stitched up by what Sharp said was a close friend of the family and very highly regarded oral surgeon, who, impromptu decided to apply some stitches in the dirt. Sharp also pointed out he has an MD on site, rather than nurses, as some unlicensed shows do.
