Page 24 www.statejournal.com October 31, 2008 MMA Receives Mixed Reviews From State Offi cials By MIKE RUBEN to the World Alliance. He described it as For The State Jounrnal merely an attempt for others to cash in on CHARLESTON — Mixed martial arts the sport’s increasing popularity. is getting a mixed reaction in West Vir- “It is exactly what the sport doesn’t ginia. need,” said White. Recognized as the fastest-growing spec- tator sport in America, MMA is illegal in The Fighters West Virginia and 17 other states. Josh Barton is a mild-mannered bar- The full contact sport, which is a com- ber by day. For the last nine months, how- bination of boxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu and ever, he has spent most of his evenings variations of kick boxing, is yet to gain lifting weights, running and sparring approval from the state Athletic Com- in preparation for his fi rst venture into mission. Steve Allred, chairman of the the cage. Barton (6-0, 155) is scheduled to fi ve-member, governor-appointed com- make his MMA debut on Nov. 8 in Abing- mission, said he is not in MMA’s corner. A don, Va. former boxer, Allred maintains the safety “I saw it on TV and thought it would be of combatants outweighs any positive ben- fun,” said Barton, a 26-year-old from Ath- efi ts that cage matches would bring to the ens. “It’s on my list of things I want to do. Mountain State. I didn’t want to be 30 years old and say, ‘I A typical mixed martial arts bout con- should have done that.’ It’s a chance to see sists of three to fi ve fi ve-minute rounds. what I’ve got in me.” The fi ght may end by knock-out, referee Always the little guy in school, Chey- stoppage or “tap-out” submission. Head- enne Church said he constantly had to butting, eye-gouging and strikes to the discussions with the state commission Fighter safety is taken into consider- prove himself. Now a 28-year-old father back of the head are prohibited. about bringing the sport to West Virginia ation at his amateur Ruckus events, ac- of four, he is taking the lessons learned in Specifi cally, Allred expressed his con- venues. He suggested the state should mir- cording to Smith. Knee and elbow strikes street fi ghting and put them to use in the cerns about two of the ways that fi ghters ror the rules already in place in neighbor- to the head, for instance, are not allowed. ring. The Montcalm resident owns an 11-1 may win an MMA match. He said choke ing Ohio. “If it was legal, we would try it in West boxing record and is 1-2 in cage matches. holds prevent oxygen from reaching the “It’s a matter of supply and demand,” Virginia,” he noted, “but only if it’s prop- Introduced into the ring as “Hells brain and could lead to permanent dis- he added. “We can’t handle the number of erly regulated.” Bells,” Church confesses that his - ability, and that submission holds may re- requests we have for people who want to While the sport currently has an al- ing skills are well ahead of his wrestling sult in a broken arm or leg. participate.” phabet soup of organizations, an effort is and martial arts maneuvers. “These matches can be brutal,” the WV Sports Promotions sponsors Tough under way to create one governing body. “I should be 2-1 (in MMA),” offered Boone County resident noted. “Person- Man events at 12 locations from October The World Alliance of Mixed Martial Church, who will depart in December ally, I just don’t believe that it’s worth it.” through April. Thomas recently orga- Arts is attempting to be recognized as the to begin his second tour in Iraq. “I was Others in the boxing community nized an event at Wheeling Island Hotel sanctioning body with promises of bring- winning, but he used a jiu-jitsu move and agree. Casino and Racetrack that included ing “integrity, legitimacy and prosperity” twisted my arm. It didn’t hurt that much World Boxing Council Chairman boxing and kickboxing events. with unifi ed titles, ratings and rules. because of the adrenaline, but I heard Jose Sulaiman has been quoted as say- “We had a standing-room-only crowd,” The effort gets no support, though, from something pop and crack, so I had to tap- ing MMA events are throwbacks to the he commented. “It was one of our best at- the biggest brand name in the sport. Cit- out. caveman era and the Roman circus. tended events.” ing examples of corruption within the “I’ve got four kids (ages 7 years through “They (the bouts) are intended crimes Stephen Simons of Westover has a 14- sanctioning bodies of boxing, UFC Presi- 8 months), and I don’t need to be sitting at accepted by bloody people who love this year history in the fi ght business, pro- dent is vehemently opposed home with a broken arm.” savage fi ghting,” he said. moting about six boxing and kickboxing Still, MMA events have continued to events per year. Simons Promotions is or- grow in popularity. Once limited to pay- ganizing a Nov. 15 event at Waterfront per-view events, the sport now is reaching Place in Morgantown. mainstream America through national “I still like the old-style boxing, where television audiences for programs such two guys go into the ring with boxing as the “Ultimate Fighting Challenge,” gloves, punch it out, and may the best “Pride,” “Tapout” and World Extreme man win,” he commented. “I can tolerate Cagefi ghting (WEC). it (MMA).” One organization, however, recently Simons said MMA events are now tak- suffered a self-induced fi nancial knock- ing place in several surrounding states. out. Elite XC is fi ling for bankruptcy after “They have it in Virginia and Ohio; now reporting losses of $55 million over the and it’s coming to Maryland in January Unisys Technical Services, LLC (a subsidiary of Unisys Corporation), past two years. The CBS program suffered and to Pennsylvania,” he added. “I know a global IT technology services and solutions company with over a public relations black eye when its head- they’re having record-breaking crowds. It line athlete, Kimbo Slice, was knocked seems like it’s coming on. I think it’s just 30,000 employees worldwide, has the following positions available out in just 14 seconds by Seth Petruzelli, a matter of time.” at our Charleston, WV location: an unranked opponent, in front of a net- Simons said boxing still has a fan base work prime-time audience. here. He noted that his Morgantown There was more controversy following events typically fi ll a 700-seat venue, and • .NET Developer (2+ years) the fi ght when Petruzelli, who was a late boxing cards at Appalachian Power Park • Software Tester replacement for veteran , in Charleston usually will attract crowds commented that Elite XC offi cials fi nan- of 1,200. • Development Manager cially encouraged him to fi ght by using Chris Smith of Charleston has been • J2EE Developer (2+ years) Slice’s stand-up style. promoting his Rough & Rowdy events in • NET/J2EE Lead Developer (4+ years) The Promoters West Virginia and four other states for more than a dozen years. He also is ven- • Procurement Manager Boxing promoters in West Virginia turing into MMA with his Ruckus in the offer guarded optimism about future of Cage events in Virginia and North Caro- • Procurement Analyst the sport here. lina. Jerry Thomas and his Clarksburg- Smith said MMA is approaching mar- This is your chance to work with an industry leader, hone your based WV Sports Promotions have ket saturation in many areas. skills and grow in your career. You can expect flexible benefits been in the boxing and Tough Man busi- “It started growing in popularity rap- ness for 30 years. He recently expanded idly with all the coverage by the TV net- and unique opportunities at Unisys Technical Services, LLC, into the MMA arena with Hard Knocks works,” he said. “It’s very popular with where we appreciate the need for balance between work and life. Cage Fights in Ohio. the 18-34 male audience. It’s what they Is this a fit for you? Apply online: unisys.appone.com. Select “I have what you would call an old- want to see.” school boxing background, but it (MMA) Smith strongly advised that the sport WV, Charleston or email [email protected]. is very exciting,” said Thomas. “It’s all needs to be regulated. over television now, and it’s defi nitely “There must be 30 promoters with reaching mainstream America.” MMA events in Virginia,” he explained. Unisys Technical Services, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Thomas said he has become increas- “It seems like it’s in every school gym and ingly more comfortable with MMA as the every bar on about any weekend. They rules and regulations have been modifi ed can’t make cages fast enough.” to place a greater emphasis on the safety He said the sport could be successful in of the participants. the Mountain State if the proper controls “The rules for amateur events have were in place. drastically changed over the last three or “It has to be sanctioned properly,” four years,” he noted. “The rule changes Smith added. “You can’t have a situation expertise are dramatic.” where just anybody can put up a cage and Thomas said he has initiated informal have fi ghts.”