Comments on: Free Agency in MMA: Tito and Antwain

By: BJJ Matt

BJJ Matt — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:08:51 +0000

Kimbo slice probably will gt beat down on the Ultimate Fighter but it will still be good to watch especially if Bobby Lashely does it also.

By: Curtis

Curtis — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:20:57 +0000

John,
Thanks for the insight. Those are all valid points. MMA is still in its baby stages and is not close to the position that the NBA or NFL is in. There will never be 20+ places for a fighter to chose from (that are top orgs), however if another MMA organization can handle the pressure of the UFC and provide the fans with a solid place to watch MMA, it could provide the fighter with another great option making the UFC’s job of keeping the top fighters hard.

By: John Black

John Black — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:25:37 +0000

ABOUT FREE AGENCY

One prominent writer answered in an email to me my question about promoters’ fear of free agency. He wrote, “Of course they’re afraid of it. With free agency a promoter has no control over the athlete. The way things are now, they sign a fighter up and even if he’s put in a tough fight that he could lose, they get options on the opponent so they always have control of the winner. And with the promoters holding TV dates, they can freeze out anyone they want to who doesn’t want to sign on the dotted line.”

The few prominent fighters who have tried to operate as free agents have found themselves auctioning their contract to a narrow market of one or two promoters. They’re unable to get the best paying fights until they sign up. As free agents, they don’t get fights with fighters who have marquee value. They either play ball by giving options to the major promoter, take what they say is their best offer, or they don’t fight fighters under contract to them. That’s the way it is.

Fighters currently have no other options. The most prominent MMA and boxing promoters currently control directly or indirectly through controlled corporations virtually all of the prominent fighters and their marketable opponents. Promoters has tremendous leverage over the fighters.

FightersOnline’s patented matchmaking and marketing model (www.ringstars.com) will enable fighters or their agent to develop their careers as free agents. Fighters currently under contract will let their contracts expire when they discover they and their agent have an option to make their own fights, sell their fights to the highest bidder, and share revenue under a new revenue-sharing model.

By: Curtis

Curtis — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:57:46 +0000

Gents,
I asked Antwain last night if he could make 185 and he said that it would take another year or so, but he is confident that he could get down their… From that, I wouldn’t hold your breath…lol

He isn’t having a prob at 205 yet and no reason to start making moves like that this early in his career.

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 05:58:27 +0000

He still has a a little room he could cut, but I think 205 is a more healthy weight. And he weighed in at 206.5 for his UWC fight on 10/11. I told him he should fight Wanderlei and of course he was for that one. Another local D.C star is Reshad Woods. He is another exciting fighter. And he has one of most brutal finshes I’ve ever seen.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=36527055

By: Kyle

Kyle — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 03:03:40 +0000

I’ve seen Antwain in person, he used to come to the grocery store I worked at. He was the scariest looking dude I’ve ever seen. But Curtis is right, I really dont think he could go to 185, its just not realistic. He is a beast for sure though. He will be a contender.

By: Curtis

Curtis — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:59:15 +0000

I would rather see him keep smashing his opponents in 1 minute than to test that ground game!

By: Curtis

Curtis — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:55:42 +0000

185!!! That is insane. He is already a big guy, imagine him there! Antwain is def on the move. It is only a matter of time before he is on top!

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:54:55 +0000

And another thing. Antwain is a BJJ guy. The problem is he knocks out his opponents before he gets to use it.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:53:12 +0000

I was with Antwain watching the Kimbo fight. We all laughed. Antwain is on the move. He is very dedicated, and has gotten into incredible shape. He mentioned he could fight at 185 if need be. Antwain is beast. I’ve seen him fight a few times. Unfortunately, for his opponents and me, it was practically less than three minutes of fighting, and all knockouts. LOL