The M-1 Challenge is coming to Nottingham on 27th September 2008.

Check cagewarriors for full details.


This could be a bigger deal than the UFC coming to our shores. I know this sounds like the ravings of a mad man- but stick with me.

You should be very excited.

The UFC is obviously the most important organisation in MMA- and having them over here is tremendous- especially with the likes of Paul Kelly, Dan Hardy and, of course, Michael Bisping flying the flag.

In terms of building the sport in this country, the M-1 Challenge could be more important. The UFC have got other markets to conquer. When they are off trying to sell T-Shirts in Brazil, The Phillipines and back home in Vegas- only the hardcore will be up watching them live. Far more people follow the British boxing on Friday Fight Night than stay up to watch the superstars from Vegas.

In partnership with a top local organisation- M-1 are bringing top European talent and incorporating a British Warriors team in next year’s league.

A European Champions League of MMA.

Top class fights in handy time zones.

Brought up on a diet of UFC and Pride- UK MMA fans have tended to overlook our neighbours on the Continent. This is criminal. M-1 may be the chance to find out what you’ve been missing.

Leaving aside the talented French and increasingly impressive Scandinavians- let’s concentrate on the Russian element. Unless you’ve been in a coma for the last few years- you’ll have noticed that the former Soviet Union have become a dominant presence in a few industries- notably football and boxing. It’s interesting to note that the greatest triumphs by citizens hailing from the Empire formerly known as Evil have taken place at Stamford Bridge and the arenas of Germany. The Russians are more than willing to put the show on the road permanently if that is the way to make it work.

Also- the Russians ‘get’ MMA. The nation has an ingrained combat sports culture and modern MMA looks a lot like a commercialised version of combat SAMBO to the naked eye. The Red Devils have been at the forefront of popularising MMA around the world.

“Getting it” sets M-1 apart from the carpetbaggers. Take Elite XC for example. On paper- they had it all. With the expertise from their boxing background- how could they fail. Er..by marketing MMA like boxing. Building a couple of stars and hyping them out of sight.

First CBS show- Gina and Kimbo fight and the ratings are ace.

Second CBS show- the standard of fights is 100% better and the ratings plummet.

The result is – they need to protect their investment by feeding their stars cans. Hardcore fans realise the quality is poor and feel ripped off. Newcomers think these low quality bumfights are representative of MMA and turn off.

Remember- Elite XC are the guys who thought the way to improve Cage Rage was to take it further down market. Whatever your view of the baldies was- I think most people would agree that Cage Rage was a better product before the Americans turned up.

People slag the UFC for all kinds of reasons- but only an idiot would suggest they don’t understand how to put together interesting cards. The pedigree of the people involved in the M-1 organisation suggests they care about the integrity of the sport. Sure they want to make a buck- who doesn’t. However, they understand that the way to keep fans on board (and forking out cash) is to promote competitive, meaningful fights.
 

M-1 use a ring. Ring v cage is a perennial argument in the sport. I’m not going to go over all the points of view, but most people would agree that a ring favours strikers. They are familiar with the angles and it is easier to cut off the space. I would also say that the ring makes both fighting in the clinch and ground work more dynamic. There are counter arguments, but I believe that people are attracted to the sport by explosive stand up action. Once hooked, they come to appreciate submissions, sweeps, escapes and all the other joys of grappling. Fights in a ring are more newbie friendly because you can’t stack a guys head against the fence for five minutes while you ponderously do very little.

On a very basic level- it is far easier to cover a fight on television when it takes place in a ring.
 

For marketing purposes- the whole “cage fighting” stigma disappears.

The team concept is another thing that helps to sell M-1. The Olympics are built on the idea of representing a team by competing in an individual sport.

From the Gracies at the early UFCs to the Rough House today- displays of team solidarity have always been a feature of modern MMA. Fighters need a team behind them. Without a good trainer and team mates for sparring and encouragement; success is virtually impossible.

Selling a team is easier than selling a single personality. Supporting a team is what we are used to. Most people in Britain would see wearing a Man Utd T-shirt as acceptable behaviour. Wearing a Christiano Ronaldo T-shirt is only acceptable if you are a) an 8 year old girl or b) gay.
For better or worse- people will get behind a British team when they play a foreign outfit. Last year, Ultimate Force put on an England v France match at Doncaster Dome. The sole English victory blew the roof off the joint. I was in the MEN for Bisping v Elvis Sinosic and the atmosphere when Michael ran to the cage was beyond electric. Even for a cynical old dog like me, it was a hairs on the back of the neck job. At susequent UK/UFCs- far bigger names have received far smaller welcomes.

Any sport is more engaging when you are supporting one competitor over the other and getting behind your local lads is the most natural thing in the world. If an Arsenal Champions League game is on in the pub, the majority of the punters will be on the side of the boys in red and white- even though most of them were born nearer to Cameroon than Camden Town.

M-1 aren’t offering us a homegrown fighter to get behind. Next year, they are giving us the chance to have a whole squad, ready to have it large.
If the whole thing goes tits up in twelve months (and with Russian money behind it- that’s unlikely)at least the fighters who get the call will have the chance to be full time fighters for a year. A year of upping their game.

Cagewarriors.com tells us

“The fighter package will include a minimum 4 fight contract, a fight purse and expense allowance. You will be expected to travel, train and fight in some of the best locations in North America, Asia and Europe.

In addition you will be provided with scheduled training regimes which will be held by the world’s top trainers and fighters”.

If that’s only 25% true-it’s surely the best deal any ambitious UK fighter can hope for.

As well as financial benefits, the chosen few will be working regularly with other elite fighters from different British camps. Undoubtedly, the cream of the UK crop are fighters with talent who have travelled abroad to develop their skills. Maybe this could be the start of a new era. By placing top fighters from a variety of gyms in a hothouse environment (no doubt backed by some imported help from M-1) they can only learn from each other and improve. I know that there is plenty of co-operation in the UK scene already, but never with an elite group all working together to a common goal. With their pooled experience- the potential would be there for an improved, British style of MMA to develop, with it’s own unique features. We did it with rock ‘n’ roll; so why not do the same with fighting?


Regular readers may notice similarities between this piece and a wildly enthusiastic feature I did on the IFL last year. The difference is- the IFL were sinking before they even thought about sailing over the Pond. Their ideas were great. Imagine their vision- but take away the debts and add a sackful of roubles and the magic word Emelianenko.

To recap- we have: a full M-1 Challenge card (with a set of quality domestic bouts such as Wenn v Butlin tagged on for good luck), a seminar by Aleksander Emelianenko, the promise of a UK team next year, a reality TV show, an alliance with Cage Warriors (arguably the most reputable UK promotion) and Fedor lurking tantalisingly on the horizon.

Excited yet? You should be.

Check out more about M-1 (Including some tasty vid’s) at their website.

www.m1mixfight.com
 

educate yourself on European MMA at:

ground and pound

UK Event Details at:

cagewarriors