The business of being a Fighter (long read).

[Robert L Evans]

Originally Posted by FinalBullet

I think to be a fighter in 2012 moving forward, you need to be a brand. At least if you want a related career once you hang up the boots. Create that connection with fans where they will pay to see you on the convention circuits, buys your books, etc etc.

I wonder how much social media marketing the new crop of MMA fighters will have to do. I can imagine a world where a promoter will ask a fighter to fight based on their record and how many followers they have on facebook and twitter. Makes marketing and PR easier for the promoter with a built in fan base for the fighter, whether they can fight or not.

[Beamzy]

Looking to take fights in 2013, This was a very helpful read, Cheers.

[Flexwave2003]

Originally Posted by cooks1

Never fought professionally, and I am certainly no manager, attorney, etc...

I am however a reasonably successfuly business owner. And I do train at a few gyms that regularly have people going into their first 2 or 3 pro fights, both MMA and Boxing. It is the NEW pros that seem to get the most taken advantage of. If it is a guy I like, it is not unheard of for me to give him a few hundred dollars to help him with Gas to and from the event, food and lodging. These things seem to get overlooked by fighters when they first start pro fighting.

Because of my willingness to provide the occasional no-strings-attached/no need to repay me stipend, I do occasionally get asked for advice.

One thing I see a TON of is PAPERWORK SHENANIGANS. A guy has a pro bout lined up, has agreed to the terms VERBALLY, and then ends up waiting weeks and weeks, and has to follow up relentlessly to get the paperwork sent. When the paperwork FINALLY arrives, the promoter conveys that it is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL the paperwork be sent back out THAT DAY. They often even have pre-paid, overnight return envelopes in the package. If it is not sent out THAT DAY, it could jeopardize the fight.

When this happens, there are almost always terms in the contract that are different from the verbal agreement. Everything from accomodation allowances to licensing fees, to the promoter being able to put you in a higher weight class at his discretion with no notice, right down to the actual fight pay being different from what was agreed.

The guy calls the promoter up and says WTF?! Promoter says "Oh, My bad, I did GIVE YOU SOME SPECIAL CONSIDERATION" Look, I will send you a revised contract, but I need you to sign this one and send it back RIGHT NOW, or we will not meet the governing bodys requirements and you won't get to FIGHT AT ALL.

This is a bullshit attempt to screw you.

If this happens, just tell the promoter that without the correct contract to sign, you will just pass on the whole thing. It might not be a bad idea to pass regardless. The guy has already show his true colors, and that he is quite happy to screw you.

Also, most LEGIT promotions provide surety bonds to the AC's that guarantee FIGHTER PAYROLL. In some places, they can not even get bouts sanctioned without doing this. It is not a bad idea to ask them if they have done this. If the claim they have, you can either ask them for documentation or confirm it with the AC presiding over the event.

Great post, its these exact scenario's which have lead to my bitching and moaning in the heavies for years about how fighters are treated.

[Sinister]

Originally Posted by Robert L Evans

I wonder how much social media marketing the new crop of MMA fighters will have to do. I can imagine a world where a promoter will ask a fighter to fight based on their record and how many followers they have on facebook and twitter. Makes marketing and PR easier for the promoter with a built in fan base for the fighter, whether they can fight or not.

No doubt social media is a great marketing tool. You can do your own self-journalism that way. And it ties in decently with mass media, as nowadays you can't watch a Boxing or MMA broadcast without them mentioning a Fighter's Facebook or Twitter rhetoric.

[Muaythaichamp68]

Great post! Worth reading

[mawashi geri]

Great thread ts

[LeftHandLead]

Great info, thanks

[mikezismike]

Thanks for this wonderful info!

[EndlessMMA]

Food for thought!! niaace!

[Sinister]

Originally Posted by Koast

I'm not sure if most people in this thread want to have their views reinforced because they know they're wrong or if everyone is just absurdly naive.

Some of the things are obvious. You're not a punching bag, don't let people beat your ass for nothing. Don't take a fight on 12 minutes notice. Don't trust managers who clearly don't have your best interests at heart but still take their 'cut' of the payout.

But to demonize promoters like they are stealing money from fighters is ludicrous. Its not like fighters have options to make $1000 a fight and they are taking fights for $50 just so they can bitch. The reason those promotions pay out $50 is because you have no experience, you draw no money and you're only fodder to fill the card. If you wanna make money you have to prove you are worth a payday.

The idea that even amateurs should be paid is again ridiculous. There are college football players who could play in the NFL that make $0 and help to make their respective schools athletic programs millions of dollars. If you can't draw fly's to shit how do you expect to make money from a promoter that made NO MONEY from you?

Promoters are taking all the initial risk. Sure you have to fight, and that's no small feat, and very ballsy, but still its the end game. Without the promoter taking a significant risk, and potentially losing money you wouldn't have a platform to potentially make money anyways.

The idea that promoters are making out like bandits and fighters (who seem to be ignorant to simple business) are being bent over and taken advantage of is just asinine. The fight business is a give and take, and without those promoters giving you a stage to perform when your 0-0 or 3-5 you would be back to delivering the mail with no dreams of fighting for a living.

I doubt when you win 6 in a row regionally and your walking out on a UFC PPV making $20,000 for a fight that you plan on cutting that old regional promoter in on the payday. But when the tables are reversed you think he should be paying you like the 'gravy train' you fantasize that you are.

Fighters need to wake up and get some business acumen.

lol@the notion that promoters DON'T steal money from fighters.