Kiwi Mixed Martial Arts and the insider’s guide to politics

George Bush in his of Fourth of July address spoke about freedom of speech in America, only to get heckled by his countrymen who saw the hypocrisy. If you can see the irony it won’t be so hard to see why politics has seemingly crept into Kiwi MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). It needs a nip in the bud before it gets way out of hand. Of course some may claim I am a mad man and profusely deny any such “lunacy”. Supposedly the difference between bravery and madness in journalism is marginal, so be it—I will tread that line.

What you are about to read won’t be viewed as politically correct and will cause a stir with the pundits of MMA (most “pundits”) in New Zealand-- probably downplaying and denying any such “issue”, but the fact is there is a growing divide which needs to bridged, so everyone in this rather “compact” sport can force growth in a positive way rather than look at getting one on top of another.

So what exactly is this and who are we talking about?

Once upon a time in Wellington (capital of New Zealand) a cage debuted and it was seen as the next greatest thing to challenge even supremacy of the All Blacks and rugby union. The noise and vibe was Hugh Heffner like and it was going to make Mixed Martial Arts a house hold phenom. Anyhow, after a pretty impressive show for a local production it was viewed as a success. However success isn’t without controversy and sadly a title fight which was billed as the most deserving main event ended in a somewhat farcical manner.

Farcical would be to make it sound unfair, controversial is probably the best chosen term to describe it. Wellington kicked it off in style, but as you know you can’t be mayor without having disgruntled opposition. Neil Swailes and Eugene Hynson battled for MMA-NZ lightweight title, which saw Hynson win on the night—to be nullified later through protest due to a foul. “Back-spiking” Swailes when in a triangle choke to get out of jail. 

Eventually the protest was upheld and the title nullified, due to a foul committed by the fighter who won the title (title vacated). All should be sweet according to the book, right? Not exactly, there were enough soured relations and strained ties between Wellington and New Zealand MMA’s main hold Auckland. When I say Auckland it gives a gross misrepresentation, so let me re-phrase: certain parties involved in this event from Auckland. I won’t go into specific names, so do enjoy some of the sarcasm and non-PC statements.

Okay, back to the strained relations. What promised to be a “marriage of great love making” with everyone being flown into the capital, which included roguemag.com who were fortunate and thankful enough to be cage side—seemingly saw the change of “love” almost overnight. It became a thorn in an otherwise bed of roses. Just recently with the cancellation of a Wellington based MMA show who cited a lack of fighters who were willing to fight prompted an alarm to go off.

It would be PC to say that fighters are not available through injury and blah blah blah, but the seeming “feel” to it, is a reluctance of fighters to appear on the card. This to me is astonishing that MMA fights come at a premium and if that be the case, one would think they would want to fight at any given opportunity. This is quite the opposite when Wellington first had its cage come around; everyone was jumping on the band wagon and being bought flight tickets to come over. That has since changed rather rapidly- even if airfares were paid.

As it is-- very quiet in the capital, that’s as far as MMA goes. Shane Cameron just rocked a party with fifty five hundred fans at TSB arena for his pro boxing fight, so no such head aches for fight sport as general. VUW and Mark Hampton pull in the crowd for Muay Thai and so does RING WARS. Fight sport and pugilism is well received in the capital—kick boxing, MMA, Muay Thai, Boxing and even a run of the mill Karate show.

Auckland is where the action usually happens. It is without any doubt, the centre of gravity. Historically, ten years ago the first ever MMA show hit Auckland with Kiwi fore fathers such as Karl Webber, spearheading the scene. Karl has since been the most successful trainer in NZ producing winners and champions alike, set up camp in Christchurch- New Zealand’s garden city. Strike Force Auckland, his original set up is still very much the strong hold, a cut above most with a record to boast. Aaron Boyes, SF boss as we all know has willingly sent fighters right across the country and shares good public relations with everybody. Wellington, Te Awamutu, Kai Taia and even Gore—SF has freely participated on fight cards without question or political affiliation. 

On a real positive note several amateur shows have taken off, attracting what we call a chocker-block crowd (in fight sport terms) along with a highly successful Women’s fight league (Princesses of Pain). Then there was also a cage show in Taurunga, which sadly clashed with a Muay Thai show run by New Zealand’s oldest promoter. Not very sensible, however successful in its own measure as success is defined in a wider scope when it comes to MMA. Get one hundred paying customers through the door and that’s sizeable enough for a sport on the move forward. So what on earth is the fuss?

Seemingly these two cities, which have parties with somewhat significant representation seem reluctant to swap fighters on local cards, once again “cities” could seem grossly misrepresentative: who ever the parties who seem to have a say in who fights and who doesn’t. MMA in this country is small enough, so if you have a few people in this population sample, it does make an impact of some sort. It’s not like making fifty thousand workers redundant in a one hundred million work force that would be negligible. This politicking does have some effect no matter how hard the PC brigade would deny it. 

Then there is the small matter of sanctioning bodies. To my knowledge there is only one sanctioning body in New Zealand as an incorporated society which could enter a process of funding from local trusts if need be. However being setup and operated out of Wellington, the answer to who uses it is obvious. Nil- at the moment. Promoters of whatever the show maybe setup there own rules and roll with it. This is not to say it is ineffective, it is at times highly effective—but the legitimacy and common ground isn’t always there. If and when an injury of serious nature occurs or an issue which requires appealing or an inquiry, this will cause certain complications. However that hasn’t happened, so most may say: If it isn’t broken why fix it? That would be the common argument.

Usually when either city or even a city outside this sit-rep attempts to throw a show, criticism is usually frequented. South Island’s Cage Warriors card was a classic example—with the event becoming a chop and change affair with fighter “non-availability”. What’s more this show was given a fair whack of flak, with every possible fault spread with Chinese whispers. My inbox is witness to such malice of very pettish nature. Basically, certain parties wanted failure for some bizarre reason. The show was a success (in its own way), even though a major rugby final was played on the same night.

The reality is that both Auckland and Wellington are strong holds for fight sport and especially MMA. For the sport to thrive and pick up to the next level, the transparency and co-operation is vital with putting aside any petty politics. It’s not exactly an industry which turns over one hundred million dollars a year, so why this happens is really beyond me. Perhaps I am missing something here? Maybe there is a million bucks somewhere, which I might have missed when at most we are lucky to see a thousand paying customers.

In this whole process of politics, the sport as a whole suffers and the best fighters aren’t going to be able meet on a common forum—at least any time soon. The purpose of this article is not to point fingers but merely rub our eyes open and get on with it. Does it really matter who is king in an administrative set up which is only imaginable and not formally set up? Things will happen in due course if everyone moves ahead and host fights all over the country and not just in one centre. You don’t need to hug and kiss and pretend to do the warm fuzzy thing, just be professional enough to walk the talk and make sure the best fighters appear on cards regardless of political affiliation.

This can and has developed into its own side show with a few other groups latching onto whoever fuels the fire, they think cab get what they want or desire. It’s a bit like swing when you are winning- you want the sport to grow but anyone other than your club or “affiliates” are a thorn to its growth sort of attitude.

This is an area which most PC folks in MMA do not want to talk about. Its best the laundry is aired out when the sport is in it’s infancy of growth. Imagine what the bi*c*ing would be like if this was a multi million dollar sport. For that to happen it’s a long way off and the free-radical politics must be left at the door. Strangely this country is built for two party systems—National and Labour, Us and them and etc.

Competition is good but trying making a political battle field in covert for a sport which is “tiny” at best (for the moment) is hilariously- ridiculous. So as things are Wellington have suffered a blow with lack of MMA shows and so have most other secondary cities. Auckland has seen the disappearance of the top end semi-pro events with all bells and whistles, but amateur fighting is on the rise—however more can be done.

Hopefully some kind of informal “truce” in whatever form of hostilities, for this strangely childish glass like wall of a stand off comes soon. You don’t need to really like each other or hug and kiss- let’s just get on with it and see the fights we want to see. Maybe the boys could learn something from the girls, a few key things.