TABLE OF CONTENTS MMAR READER Contributors March 2010

MANAGER'S ADVISE
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Name: Mike Camp
Company: F1 Management
Email: f1management07@aol.com
Phone: (330)754-7146
Preparing an amateur: Long term professional success.
By: Mike Camp – F1 Management
In 2002 when I started to really get involved in the business of MMA there was no incentive
or requirement for anyone to fight amateur MMA. It was believed back then that if you were
going to cagefight you might as well get paid, as the risks were the same.
Over the last 8 years the climate of our sport has changed dramatically. MMA has gone from
a spectacle to a sanctioned sporting event. Also, the athletes competing in our sport have
changed as well.
To have any kind of long term success as a professional in MMA now, you need to be fully
prepared and have a plan. Keep in mind that each athlete is different, and of course, there are
always special circumstances(such as NCAA champion or former professional athlete in
another sport), but it is my firm belief that you have to take advantage of every experience
possible as an amateur.
I spoke to Ed Clay(Lloyd Irvin BJJ BB who owns Nashville MMA) and Ed shared his
philosophy with me,“Obviously, there are exceptions to the rule, but generally we like to train
our athletes for a year while allowing them to do grappling competitions before we book
them their first bout. Typically, we look to do 10 amateur MMA bouts, 10 amateur muay thai
bouts, and at least 10 grappling competitions before we can even consider turning someone
pro in MMA.” Ed also stated that he believes that going on the road for competitions is an
invaluable experience as well.
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