The Path to Becoming a Pro
Mixed Martial Arts Pakistan will be experimenting with a new ranking and development system over the next year. If successful we will be rolling out an enforcing this system from the bottom up by next year and making any changes based on feedback from the MMA community. The ranking and development system will identify and appropriately place fighters in respective skill level divisions. It will build fighters up, step by step so that when they are fighting in professional bouts, they have not only earned that spot but can show those skills to the world and be confident that they will be at international standards. The development system is as follows. The rankings will consist of the categories;
NOVICE
JUNIOR
AMATEUR
PRO
NOVICE
The new student/fighter who wishes to compete must compete in first 3 BJJ tournaments and 3 striking matches (they can be boxing and/or kickboxing). Previous experience in such competitions outside of the PAKMMA network (like National Games, TKD tournaments etc…) will be considered. Once the athlete has competed in 3 grappling and 3 striking matches he can move on to the next level. The fighter who has not completed with requirement will be known as a NOVICE fighter.
*Additional requirements for this level; for the grappling matches, the athlete must advance at least ONCE. If he loses all his matches, he must re-enter a grappling tournament until he advances at least one match.
For the striking matches, the fighter must win at least one match in order to advance. All striking matches will be conducted with full protective equipment (headgear, boxing gloves, shinpads) and rounds will not be longer than 3 minutes but not less than 2 minutes.
JUNIOR
Once a fighter has passed the NOVICE requirements he will be then known as a JUNIOR fighter. To move on to the next level the athlete must fulfill the following requirements. He must win at least one match under MMA rules with full protective equipment, not exceeding three minutes for the round. Once completed the fighter will be known as an AMATEUR fighter.
*Full protective equipment includes SAFETY MMA GLOVES and SHINPADS. Headgear will not be used due to the dangers headgear can cause during grappling.
AMATEUR
This is the final step before being a professional fighter. The AMATEUR fighter must fight at least three times and win at least 2 matches before moving on. These matches will take place with no extra protective equipment, meaning only competition MMA gloves will be worn and fought under full MMA rules EXCEPT NO ELBOWS OR KNEES TO THE FACE ARE ALLOWED. Once this phase has been completed, the fighter may come under for REVIEW by PAKMMA to be considered a PROFESSIONAL FIGHTER or not. When you are a professional fighter you will be issued a Fighters License by PAKMMA to identify yourself as a PRO MMA fighter and you must be paid by your promotion when you fight. AMATEUR fighters and below do not require being given a fight purse however, if the promotion wishes to compensate the fighter financially they may do so.
PRO
The PRO fighter is one who has completed all the requirements and is eligible to compete in professional bouts domestically AND be considered for international fights.
CONCLUSION
This system is to be experimented with over the next year, so don’t expect PRO FIGHTER cards to start being handed out to guys already on the scene. It will take some time for the database to be created and fighters identified. Remember that we are not going to stop anyone from competing as a PRO fighter or an AMATEUR if they have not met the requirements. However, we encourage everyone to help out and all PAKMMA affiliated clubs to begin enforcing this system and KEEPING RECORDS OF THEIR OWN AND FORWARDING THEM TO INFO@PAK-MMA.COM after every event.
Fighters who have been on the scene and have multiple PRO fights will most likely be exempt from completing previous requirements although later on down the line SOME of the fighters may politely be asked to complete the requirements for their own benefit and development.
Also, there are athletes who have for example competed internationally in sports such as WUSHU and BOXING. We may exempt these fighters due to their status from going through the process and may create a quick catch up course regarding basic ground techniques and how to compete in MMA.
Within a year or possibly two years, fighters who do not complete requirements will be forbidden from competing until they have completed previous requirements.
Be patient, and help out. Good things come to those who wait.