How do I go pro in MMA?

Question

I have my first amateur MMA fight this month and am dedicated to winning. I read in the Ohio State Athletic Commission's rules that a minimum of 5 recorded amateur fights must be fought before one can go pro. I am curious to know how exactly does one go pro. I mean, if you happen to fight good at amatuer, does someone spot you and offer to pay to train you for your first pro fight, or do you have to pay yourself for training, fight your first fight as a pro, then get offered to be paid to train?? Any answers? (I am a 20-yr old male)

Answer 1

Well if you win all five fights and they're tough fights, not easy walk throughs and pro-am promoters know it then you'll be invited by some pro-am promoter to sign a contract, but make sure it's "open ended" so that you can seek pro fights else where as well.  The question should really be "Where do I go to become a Pro fighter?" not "How do I become a Pro Fighter?".  Pro-am promoters will offer you a $625.00 per fight contract which isn't sh*t when it comes to putting your future health on the line and it d**n sure won't pay the bills.  How well can you market your self? because marketing your name is 80% of the battle my friend when it comes to "Pay Day".

You're in Ohio so getting hooked up with Ken Kupsch - "King of the Cage" promoter should be no big deal as he holds events in Ohio and Michigan all the time.  King of the Cage is one of the more respectable, but lesser known professional MMA orgs. out there.  KOTC usually provides Dana White with fighters when he needs a fighter on "short notice".  There are a lot of KOTC fighters that end up in the UFC and more than the average fan may even think there are.

There are other routes to becoming a "marketable fighter"  as well such as fighting a dozen or so pro-am fights locally then contacting Sean Shelby at the UFC website and sending him your pro-fight videos and bio for a shot at proving your self on Spike T.V.'s "The Ultimate Fighter".  Or you could seek training with Rich Franklin and Jorge Gurgel near Mason, Ohio I believe, but don't hold me to that exact location ( I'm close though ) after your first pro-am fight and suck up.  These guys will usually send a** kissers from their training center in Ohio to be on Spike T.V.'s TUF.  

Just remember this much dude....it's all in the pay check.  There's a ton of greedy low life promoters out there that will rip you off and give you s**+**y pay in order to maximize their own profits.  Your best bet is to get tight with fighters such as Franklin and Gurgel and let them help you figure it out.  Stay away from trainers who want the entire 33 and 1/3% maximum that they have coming too from your pay check if you ever fight in Nevada.

Do your research and watch out for greedy, crooked and underhanded promoters because there are a lot of them out there on a local level.  Stick to well known promoters and get your "Name" out there where it can be seen and heard all over MMA magazines and such as well.  It'll take work, but d**n well worth it.

If this advice isn't good enough then I'd say, "Stay in the smoker's league"

One more thing...Thinking you won't have to travel will get you no where.  Good sponsors will usually help with travel expenses some what, but you need to be out there, you need to be fighting in several different promoters' events through out, not only your own neck of the woods, but also in the midwest and out west in "indian reservations casinos" and places like that once you do go pro.  Opening up a school or two here and there would help with monetary funds as well for travel and what not.  It takes effort bro.  h**l they'll even pay you to Ref Ammy matches to draw bigger crowds at ammy shows once you become pro ( depending on your name and marketability ) as well as paid appearances at seminars and all that other c**p.  You'll be traveling more than you might think. Check out Sinister Angel Cage rentals and how they offer pro-fighters when you rent a cage from them.  Pro-Fighter Refs and Pro-fighter apearrances will be every bit of 30% or better of your over all income as a pro-fighter.

If you don't believe it then maybe stick to a factory job some  where huh?

Answer 2

To be honest they are on the right track, all going pro means is that you are payed to fight, i will disagree that you have to be with some big gym, i fight for Vanguard and i had teacher seek me out, namely loyd irvin and he is the one who trains brandon vera.But he saw some of my ama fights liked the fact that i made the fights exciting and thats the key to get paid for fighting, promoters will wont you to come back if you show them a good fight, heck look at Griffen and Bonnar both were fighting for a 6 figure contract and cause both those guys laid it on the table and put on a good fight they were both given 6 figure contracts. but dont get me wrong propper training is a must. I was training for almost 5 years before i took on my first ama fight and i think my patenice is why i have not been beaten in pro circuit yet, but i am sure it will happen soon enough ...lol

Answer 3

Im not sure, but i would wait to see how your first 5 fights go first lol

Answer 4

I doubt anyone is ever going to pay you to train, you get paid to win fights. Training and Equipment cost money, hopefully from your victories you will have some. Fighting in Ohio isn't going to get you anywhere fast though, a lot of fighters are moving out to Phoenix and Vegas to train 365 because of the weather. And having WEC and UFC next door helps... Winning fights is the answer to all your questions.

Answer 5

first buddy you have to go in a big time training camp and have to be really good if the person in charge likes you and wants to see how you do in a fight you go in some small fights and build up...but you have to have proper training you cant just go in as some mickey mouse

Answer 6

go 2 da most popular gym in ur area where TapouT may be scoutin 4 fighters n u could prbbly get noticed