With the increasing popularity of MMA I thought I’d mention a few opportunities for up and coming fighters to get some experience. Amateur MMA is a great first step for anyone who wants to fight as it provides a realistic stepping stone between club sparring and full rules fighting in front of an audience.

A few people have complained about the restrictions in the rules of amateur events (notably no head punches). I personally competed in numerous amateur events in the UK (KSBO tournaments) also fighting on these events was Dan Hardy and Michael Bisping, so if its good enough for those guys its obviously worth taking a look at.

I see more and more clubs these days offering MMA classes but not many have active fighters or coaches with MMA fight experience so this is a good safe way to get started and raise the level of fighters.

So far we have a few kickboxing/muay thai promoters who are willing to put amateur & professional MMA fights on their events. The next event will be Joe Demecollis show in St Albans on 20th March. Mat Reid will be having some MMA on his event on 17th April as well. Mark Castagnini has also put on amateur matches on his interclub sparing shows and will put on some more if there is enough interest.

If you are from an MMA or grappling club and want to fight eventually then i would advise this as a good starting point, ask your instructor to get in contract with the promoters mentioned above and get you on the cards. If you want to become a fighter you are going to have to fight.

Denis Kelly
Team Nemesis