But one important component of the New York amateur MMA machine that can be fixed is something that's wholly in the power of the promoters. According to Nick Lembo of the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, the reporting of official fight results is something that's making the engine sputter.
I spoke to Lembo about this months ago while researching for the Deadspin article.
It's an issue of health, safety, fairness and integrity of the contest. I'm not against amateur fighters fighting in most other jurisdictions - they can simply compete in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods for example. But right now New York is not regulated by an athletic commission, therefore I'm not seeing the results on the database that identifies the individual and gives you their record, their history, any medical issues or suspensions. So when I'm seeing a fighter from New York, I frequently have the issue that I don't if the fighter has had zero fights or ten fights, I don't know if he has been knocked out the night before he shows up in New Jersey, I don't know if he's had any medical problems. I don't know anything about that fighter. It's not a mark against the New York fighter, it's a concern about what's happening in New Jersey. An unknown fighter to me is a dangerous fighter.The official database for MMA fight results is MixedMartialArts.com, and the protocol for reporting is for a promoter to send them the info in an email after the event (to Stats@MixedMartialArts.com).
Watch the interview below. And if you're a promoter, maybe send in the official results? It doesn't just help athletic commissions, it helps fighters and fans (and reporters, too).
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