MMA is a global sport that - more often than not - consists of athletes making the leap from gym sparring to professional-level competition with no intermediary experience. In many countries around Asia, MMA is quickly becoming a popular practice and spectator sport fueled by numerous promotions, yet amateur level competition is noticeably absent.
The reason for this is clear. Unlike most professional sports such as tennis and soccer which start at the tertiary and local level and progresses towards professional international competition, MMA events usually bypass the amateur aspect as they are organized by separate for-profit promotions. In Asia, outside of Japan and the Philippines, this is the norm.
The rapidly growing number of MMA practitioners in Asia demands the development of an amateur platform to provide experience and raise the level of the sport. However, starting such local organizations is a daunting prospect. A newly-formed federation may become the catalyst for such endeavors.
The reason for this is clear. Unlike most professional sports such as tennis and soccer which start at the tertiary and local level and progresses towards professional international competition, MMA events usually bypass the amateur aspect as they are organized by separate for-profit promotions. In Asia, outside of Japan and the Philippines, this is the norm.
The rapidly growing number of MMA practitioners in Asia demands the development of an amateur platform to provide experience and raise the level of the sport. However, starting such local organizations is a daunting prospect. A newly-formed federation may become the catalyst for such endeavors.
