It's been a busy year for the Mixed Martial Art scene. We have seen bigger and better shows, more mass public appeal. We have shows being aired on TV and DVD's galore! We have seen shows like Cage Rage grow with each event and more become internationally recognised. Then also Cagewarriors has become a great professional event with a growing following.
The natural progression of these shows has meant the standard of the fights and the respect of the fighters as all stepped up. The next step to order to keep the sport progressing is to not sit back, but to keep moving and developing. One person who has been looking to put together a new type of show, which could bring the martial arts a total platform for showcasing the various sport martial art disciplines, is Stuart Davies.
Fight Factor is the event Stuart has been working hard to put together with sights set high. The first 'Showcase' event has just been a successful show with great feedback.
I was at the show as my student Chu Sau Lei Wing Chun Fighter Neil Broadbent was fighting in the Professional NHB fight, which he won in 44 seconds! So, I got to see first hand how the event was put together and what the crowd reaction was to Fight Factor.
As Fight Factor is an interesting event idea, I thought we should hear more from its Promoter Stuart Davies.
Alan: Stuart, why don't we start with you explaining what is Fight Factor.
Stuart: Fightfactor is a national competition open to fighters from any background. Think.... x factor meets the contender. A concept that will bring fighters from all backgrounds to one arena. The trained fighter meet's the born fighter. The brawler meets the tactician. Trained or untrained. Semi contact/ semi pro, full contact pro and point fighters to name a few. The unknown fighter that has trained for years but has never had the inclination to compete. There will be some big upsets and surprises as with any national competition talent will be found......Watch this space!
A: What's the TV idea for the Showcase?
S: I wanted to produce an event to promote the different fighting ranges that the fighters will be coming from for the eliminators, Karate, Tang Soo Do, Thai boxing, Boxing, Kickboxing, MMA, Kung Fu, Ju jitsu, Judo and many more.
The DVD of this event will be a tangible aspect of fightfator that I can use to promote to concept to the right people. Fightfactor is in negotiations with major martial arts promoters in the USA and also a major TV producer in the UK. I have meetings over the next month and am driving fightfactor forward to make it a success. The concept is sound; bringing this type of martial arts idea on to the TV is very difficult.
The financing of production and PR exposure are areas that need further negotiation and be clarified before the project moves forward. Also the rights to the show. I have been asked to sign the rights over, I am not prepared to do that as this stage as what I was offered was not appropriate. I have recently teamed up with MASTERS of COMBAT a very successful TV show which was on the BBC back in 2001. This has really given me a boost to continue my hard work to reach my goals with the help and drive of the Masters of combat proven brand.
A: What is the goal for the event?
S: The goal for the event is to produce a national full contact competition that captures the imagination of the public. This will assist the progression of martial arts in the main stream and give fighters the recognition they deserve. Fighters from all walks of life meet to find the best. A simple clear concept to find the best.
Martial arts have evolved into many sporting based events. Kickboxing, MMA, Semi contact, Points are all very exciting. Martial arts was always a way of life fore most. Now it has become a competitive sport to many. I started doing Karate when I was 9 years old and I hold a 5 th Dan. I have a sound knowledge of Martial arts history in Japan and China. The traditional side of martial arts will always play a part in my training. The sport side however excited me and has been my passion for years. I am a Kickboxing fighter/instructor/trainer and Pro boxing trainer with the BBBC.
A: You had a full card and brought together some good fighters for the show. What will happen now in terms of the Fight Factor event?
S: I will be working towards preparing the eliminators and securing commissioning and a sponsor for the events. If the event does not get commissioned then I will have the eliminators and auditions filmed and produce the Fightfcator series as a package. This will then be aired at the end of the year. There are plenty of major digital channels that would air this show, but they want it for next to nothing and want to own the rights. There are still negotiations going on regarding these issues as I have stated above
A: The event went very well and was as professional as any MMA show that I have seen. What goes into putting on such an event?
S: Alan it is a process that would take pages to explain. Basically I prepare everything and ensure that the event is organised in a chronological order. Hours and hours in front of a computer and also on the phone endlessly. I have a check list and fighter list that I work from. The most important thing is that the fighters are looked after and the spectators get a great show. The key to this is the match making. Matching the fights fairly is very important aspect for all involved. I have an excellent relationship with all the Trainer and fighters that I work with.
A: How does it feel when you get negative comments from others within the MMA scene who maybe want the standard idea of an event to be as it is?
S: This event was never going to be solely an MMA event it however covers all martial arts and the fighters that participate in them. I want to assist MMA to get the recognition it deserves. It's such a tough game and the fighters deserve exposure and admiration for what they do. Fightfactor gives them an open door to apply and promote their sport.
The negative comments just make me work harder towards making a successful event. I have had major promoters within the Martial arts world and TV producers call me and ask me questions relating to fightfactor and I have always been open and honest about the concept. I sometimes feel that especially within the TV world there are lots of hidden agendas in relation to such questioning. I have learnt a lot over the last 12 months and this has equipped me to progress fightfactor to the next stage. I am a very quick learner and there is no substitute for experience. The experiences over the past year will hold me I good stead for 2007.
A: What's been the feedback from the fighters and training after the event?
S: The feedback has been great. The event was a success and the fights were very entertaining. It's a platform for fightfactor to evolve from and get the exposure it deserves. With Masters of Combat coming on board Fightfactor has a very bright future.
There is nothing out there like this and it has the emotional content from the different applicants to be a fascinating event. Applicants include a Fireman, PTI Paratrooper, Pro Rugby player, hairdresser, World champion fighters in Full, semi, Thai boxing, and Points fighting. Champions from MMA, Ju Jitsu, Judo and many more.
A: Keep your eye on Fightfactor as it already has matched the level of its peers and is set for big things!
S: This is a national full contact competition open to all. Apply on line and be part of this major event.
Can I please thank all the sponsors, officials, Cage warriors, Martial arts Illustrated, Richard Hopkins, Mark Weir, Howard Hughes, Duggie Truman, Neil Axe, Arthur Meek, Russ Newton, Mick Fowles and all that assisted at the event.
For information please contact Stuart Davies
Telephone: 01934 645006 or 07976538497
Alan Orr is a disciple of Robert Chu Sifu and the European representative of the Chu Sau Lei Wing Chun system.
He is also the UK representative for Guro Mark Wiley in the Filipino martial arts and Sensei Eddy Millis of Shark Tank in NHB/Grappling.
Web: www.alanorr.com
For further information Tel: 07958 908 196 or email: info@alanorr.co.uk
FIGHT FACTOR - by Alan Orr
First published in UK Martial Arts Illustrated Jan 2007
