I’m not hating on your tournament, just saying a few of those rules seem kind of anti-MMA.
I mean, if I hit you so good that you go down … being that I didn’t just get rocked, I know (because I’ve been there) I have a very good chance of maintaining a favorable position, whether it be continuing to strike or submit.
But if you can’t strike the head, when on your back, there’s absolutely no reason to keep your guard up … this is unnatural in fighting. I can just fold my arms across my chest making you commit to a lock and then counter it … but even then I can’t hit you until we get back up.
I just don’t like it. Me personally. That’s all. I say let fighters fight. They know what they’re getting themselves into. Better yet … they like it.
Understand that this is the very first time that Amateur MMA will be allowed in NJ, the NJACB will be there all weekend to watch all the MMA and Kickboxing events.
We had to be very specific to what was allowed and what wasn’t…the NJ Athletic Commission was ok with the rules set forth by the USKBA…understand they originally wanted Amateurs to wear Headgear as well…
Understand that in the past there was no difference between AM /Pro in NJ…to fught MMA you had to have all your medicals done( at a cost of $500) and be licensed…this gives the guys who want that experience a chance to fight w/o going through all the red tape and also a chance to fight w/o having to be on a card…
Understand this as well, I have personally spoken to almost ALL the AM MMA fighters…these are young guys , 9 out of 10 never fought before…they are looking to gain valuable experience…in the commisions eyes safety comes first…as a matter of fact isn’t MMA banned in NY?
I also had a great conversation with the PA State Athletic Commisioner, he will be there as my guest, and we are going t do an exhibition MMA event sometime in the near future in PA…can’t have these guys ground and pound right off the bat!
Hope that clarifies some issues…you should come and watch the events, we even have a Pro MMA event the night before…
Info available at www.battleattheboardwalk.com
Ed Hsu
Promoter-Battle at the Boardwalk