The last few weeks have been action packed for MMA fans with as much happening outside the ring as in it. Here’s a rundown of some of the main MMA news events.
By Fergus Ryan
MMA furthers its Olympic dream
Two days before UFC Sweden, it was announced that the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) was founded in Sweden on February 29, 2012. Heading up the IMMAF is August Wallén, who is the former President of the Swedish MMA Federation.
In their official statement, they said: “The IMMAF… will provide a stable, professional and democratic community for all national federations and offer support to countries committed to forming new federations where none currently exist.
“Through the creation of these national governing bodies, the IMMAF aims to foster international amateur competition and education, which is an integral part of the continued growth of MMA. Among its initial priorities the IMMAF will seek to grow membership to 25 member countries by the end of 2012.”
In addition to fostering amateur competition, IMMAF will operate as a sanctioning body for events in countries that do not have athletic commissions similar to the US model.
“This is a very proud day for us,” said Wallén.
“The IMMAF is committed to be at the forefront of developing MMA as an international sport… Our vision is for MMA… to ultimately become an Olympic sport.”
Crucially for the IMMAF, the UFC came straight out to support the organisation. “The creation of this organisation is long overdue,” said Marc Ratner, Senior Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs at the UFC.
“MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world and we support the Federation’s focus on providing a globally unified set of rules and safety measures to help keep all fighters safe.”
Ratner has been named Chairman of IMMAF’s Technical Committee on best practices and rule sets.
At the time of writing, only two countries are officially members (Norway and Sweden). However, the six board members are spread across five different countries including the UK, represented by Robbie ‘The Flame’ Olivier (former Cage Rage featherweight champion and current coach to UFC fighter John ‘The One’ Maguire).
Post UFC Sweden rumours
After a convincing display by Alexander Gustafsson in defeating Thiago Silva, much speculation centred on his progress towards a title fight with Jon Jones. However, a few other stories were percolating regarding MMA matters closer to home.
Dana White unashamedly declared himself a Brad Picket ‘fan-boy’ in the post fight press conference and went as far as saying he may coach on the TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) Australia vs UK series that’s being planned for later in 2012.
JOE spoke to Marshall Zelaznik (the UFC’s main man in Europe), who confirmed a major announcement about this segment of TUF would be made in May. The series dubbed ‘The Smashes’ would probably air in September of this year and he didn’t see an issue with Irish fighters turning up for the auditions but couldn’t confirm if that would be the case.
European UFC fans will get their next instalment of the world’s largest promotion in September 2012. Originally rumoured to take place in Liverpool, it looks increasingly likely that Manchester or London will be the location.
Nothing has been put in the books just yet. If Michael Bisping successfully negotiates Tim Boestch he may get a crack at the winner of Silva/Sonnen II (also on the UFC 148 card) in his backyard in September. The last UK event was UFC 138 in Birmingham that featured Chris Leben and Mark Munoz in the main event.
The drugs don’t work
In many people’s minds it was not ‘if’ but ‘when’ Alistair Overeem was going to get pinged for performance enhancing drugs (PED).
Overeem was scheduled to fight Junior dos Santos at UFC 146 UFC for the heavyweight championship. However, on April 4, 2012, Overeem tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone in a random pre-fight drug test by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).
Having had issues with a pre-fight test for the Brock Lesnar fight, Overeem agreed to be subjected to two random tests in the subsequent months in order to receive a licence to fight at UFC 141. When White and Lorenzo Fertitta asked him face to face in the UFC offices, Overeem replied he would be confident of passing any future test.
White commented he was “beyond pissed” and redrafted the UFC 146 card before Overeem was officially suspended, saying he was not optimistic about the outcome of Overeem’s hearing. After being denied a licence to fight, Overeem’s UFC career now hangs in the balance.
Of course Overeem is pleading innocence, saying he is only guilty of not knowing what went into his body.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy is becoming the cheater’s method of choice, with some fighters being able to circumvent suspension through disclosure.
A source close to the US MMA scene revealed to JOE that doctors looking to pursue a career treating high profile athletes are the ones to instigate the testosterone test with the outcome usually being the suggestion that a top up is required. When seeking a licence with a US state athletic commission you can disclose this treatment on health grounds and it will not be flagged as a positive test.
Big winners out of the whole sorry mess are Frank Mir, who will now challenge JDS for the heavyweight title, Gabriel Gonzaga, who’s been given a bigger fight against Roy Nelson and Stipe Miocic, who has been drafted in to the main card after the reshuffle caused by Overeem’s departure.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
