Opinion: Shinobi MMA Fighting Championship Looks to Boost UK MMA
By Michael Hatamoto
The United Kingdom amateur MMA community became stronger with the recent launch of the Shinobi MMA Fighting Championship romotion, based out of Deeside, North Wales.
MMA continues to evolve throughout the UK and this is a natural step in the same progression to help develop the sport.
Here is what Ian Munzberger, Shinobi MMA Managing Director, said in a press release:
“We are here to host events that you really won’t want to miss. Events that will make you want to come back for more. We are fight fans and foremost. We are passionate about MMA and in particular UKMMA. We have some of the best prospects in the world. How could we not get excited about showcasing them?”
The inaugural Shinobi MMA Fighting Championship event, Shinobi War, will take place next month at the Deeside Leisure Centre, in Queensferry, Flintshire, North Wales.
Amateur and low-level professional MMA are difficult career paths for rising fighters, so I only wish the best to Shinobi MMA.
When I previously spoke to MMA coach Duke Roufus, head coach of UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, he discussed the difficulty amateur fighters have trying to find safe fights. Many amateur fighters just want to compete and test themselves – but a lack of amateur regulation and legitimate organizations opens the door to unsanctioned events.
An amateur fighter died in April after an unregulated MMA event in Michigan, where amateur MMA is unregulated, which is common among many states. Hopefully Shinobi MMA works through the proper UK MMA channels to make sure all of its fighters are safe both inside and outside the cage.
After being involved in promoting MMA, MMA journalism and marketing, I understand the difficulties amateur MMA promoters have. I offer them good luck in their efforts to close out 2013 and start off with a bang in 2014 – it can be a bumpy road, so Shinobi MMA has a lot of work to do.