Unscrupulous MMA Promoters Misrepresent Fight Cards

As with any industry growing at an accelerated rate, many people looking for a quick take are on the prowl. While planning an MMA event recently, I learned that a rival promoter had a huge fight car insurance quotes online planned in my local area. This particular promoter has put on several shows in the area and has a mixed reputation.

Here's how it broke down: A friend called me very excited to learn that Shonie Carter, Ed Herman, and Pete Spratt were going to be fighting in their home town, Ft. Wayne, IN, and wanted to get my opinion on how they were able to amass such a big card. I was impressed so I decided to do some research. I thought it sounded a little suspect because I had spoke to Pete Spratt earlier about a show I was planning and he had stated he wouldn't be able to fight for me due to a prior obligation. He was already fighting on ESPN the previous weekend on a free MMA card with Kim Couture. student debt consolidation loans though the promotion didn't specifically state that he was fighting, it appeared so by the promotional listing. I knew one thing for sure though, Pete isn't taking a local fight 7 days after a major event for ESPN.

So this made me a little suspicious about the others fighters listed on the event card. So I went down to my next fighter listed being Shonie Carter. Shonie fights locally so I thought he could possibly be on the card. After doing a little net research I found him on a card for a Strikeforce event featuring another friend of mine, Gilbert Melendez. This fight is booked for June 27th, the night before the local event. Is there any way Shonie's catching a flight the day after his fight to come fight in Ft. Wayne, IN? No is the answer to that question. I stopped researching at that point. I'm guessing now there will be a couple of stars listed on the brochure that will "no show." The moral here is to be aware of when a smaller promoter comes out with a card that sounds too good to be true, because it probably is. There are seven fighters listed on the promotion that are UFC vets. I'm guessing none of them are fighting and few of them will actually show up. Sad but true.

MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world and becoming a big part of mainstream society. My only hope is that there aren't too many promoters burning fans on tickets promising fight cards that just aren't attainable or viable. I am a promoter myself and want the sport to be portrayed in a positive light. I want people to be able to distinguish the difference between random violence, which is a crime, and the sport that myself and other enthusiasts consider an art form. So take caution friends, be prepared for these tricks and spend your money on events that are put together by reputable people. Do your diligence and spend your money the right way. If a fighter's listed on a card without an opponent or without any indication of whether or not there is an opponent to be announced, you're probably getting a guest appearance, if you're lucky. The direction you push your dollars will have a real affect on the future for this sport. So be smart and do your homework. Don't empower deception with your hard earned dollars.

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