MMA: 5 Steps for Creating the Most Awesomely Bad Promotion

Being a MMA promoter is a tough job. Unless you're Dana White who has a handful of staff members helping his every move, you're likely doing about 10 people's jobs every day.

Setting up one bout can be a hassle; try setting up 10 or more. Promoters have to talk to coaches, managers, city officials, building owners and officiating companies among others.

So it's no surprise that although the majority of MMA promotions are fairly decent at worst, there's also a handful that are just bad. Not bad to where it offends you, but bad to where it's comically amusing.

There's a handful of ways for promoters to take a wrong turn in trying to create a solid promotion. This list should be used by all promoters as a guideline of what to avoid when attempting to build a better brand.

Put an Event on the Same Night as a UFC PPV

I can't count how many times I've seen promotions hold an event the same night as a UFC PPV. Do they not know how to read a calender?

If you, as a fan, have the choice between seeing some local fighters or the best in the world, which are you more likely to choose?

If promotions like Strikeforce and Bellator can't compete directly with the UFC, what makes these promoters think their regional program will?

Sure they'll get some fans who want the live experience, but the local sports bars will be making more money that night.

Theme Songs

Supa! Fight! League!

There's really no other words I can find to describe this than just awful. But I'll let Simon Cowell attempt to explain how bad it really was.

Have a Screwed Up Pay Scale

There's been countless stories of fighters competing overseas and not receiving their payments. One of the ways to have a terrible rap is by not paying the fighters.

Ultimately it's the fighters that bring fans in, and they should be justly rewarded. Sometimes promoters seem to forget what draws the fans in and either don't distribute the payments like they should or in some cases, don't pay the fighters at all.

I understand you need to pay the top stars of a show good money for what they bring, but as Affliction showed us, you need to balance out the pay scale in order to succeed.

Cutting Corners in All the Wrong Places

It's no secret MMA promoters care a lot about the bottom line. MMA is a great way for people to make money, as the sport continues to grow and become more popular.

Unfortunately, there's been a few instances of promoters attempting to cut expenses in areas that should receive the most funding.

One such story that's been big in the Chicagoland area is the story of Jeff Dunbar. Dunbar attempted to shake his opponent off and instead spiked his head into the mat, paralyzing him.

The story gained a lot of notoriety here and has been a prime example of amateur MMA gone wrong. Hopefully other promoters can learn from this mistake.

Bring in a Big Name to Collect a Paycheck

There comes a point in time of every fighter's career where they simply have nothing left to offer the sport of MMA. Their accolades and accomplishments speak for themselves, but there must be an end to every journey.

Most fighters are fairly good at realizing they are done with the sport. Guys who are routinely knocked out usually recognize they simply cannot take a punch like they used to and are damaging their health.

And then there are guys like Bob Sapp. Make no mistake, I'm not mad at Sapp going out and making money because by all means make that paper. But as a promoter, you have to keep credibility with the fans.

Sure the big names may sell a few extra tickets, but in the long run you're going to lose a lot more.