What’s Going On In Michigan? A Promoter and a Commission Chairman Speak
Published by Jim Genia on January 14th, 2010 in Current Events

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When the Michigan Boxing Commission became the Unarmed Combat Commission back in 2008, an agency was created that was empowered to regulate and sanction professional mixed martial arts in the Great Lakes State. But the sport was alive and kicking there long before that, due in no small part to Joe Donofrio, a man with a decade of experience promoting boxing shows and the foresight to embrace the future. In the span of four years, Donofrio has put on 16 amateur events – until now, the only incarnation of MMA permitted since the UFC came and went in 1996. One such event last January packed 10,000 fans into the Palace at Auburn Hills (the home of the Detroit Pistons basketball team). Not bad numbers for an amateur show, or for even any MMA show in fact.

On January 30th, Donofrio’s Impact Fight League organization will take the pro MMA plunge, one of the first Michigan promotions to do so. The leap, however, is not without its bumps and scrapes – not the least of which is a new state-imposed $2,000 MMA promoting fee (compared to the standard $125 fee for a boxing show). Donofrio’s success in the industry may have given him enough financial freedom to absorb that cost, but he could be in the minority. “Between that $2,000, and the $4,800 for insurance and paying the fighters, there just isn’t anyone who can afford to do a pro show,” says Donofrio. “It’s just not going to happen. I talked to a guy in Arkansas today and he said, ‘Why you doing a pro show?’ And I’m beginning to feel that way.”

“There will be trepidation on the part of a lot of other promoters without deep pockets,” says Dr. James Weber, who heads the Unarmed Combat Commission, and whose recent appointment as chairman has been heralded as a step in the right direction for the growth MMA in Michigan. “When you start talking about professional venues, you start talking about the success being predicated on the economy. And quite frankly, the economy in the state is… I don’t want to say it’s a hindrance, but I think there is a tentative nature for anybody at a large scale to want to come and promote events.”

As Donofrio’s run with pre-regulated MMA resulted in zero mishaps (“Neither one issue nor concern at any show. We have a dedicated and experienced staff working.”), of course he bristles at some of the new rules. And he bristles even more at where they may have originated from. “It’s my understanding a majority of the legislature was in pre-written content adopted in partial form by the State of New Jersey and the UFC,” he says. “I can only verify what I was witness to when I appeared with the UFC in Lansing before the senate committee. I believe many of the recommendations were approved because of the success of the UFC and Nick Lembo of the Athletic Control Board in New Jersey. My concern is the $2,000.00 fee which is written in the bylaws. I would question the validity and the consent of this fee being so drastically exaggerated over the boxing event fee.” He adds: “Basically they suggested it was to cover the cost. But that doesn’t make sense, because you’re already paying the officials to be there.”

For his pro show, Donofrio is fielding fighters from all over the country instead of just using local talent. What of the amateur shows that saw such great success? Will they continue? “Amateur events are still allowed in Michigan and should continue to be,” says Donofrio. “As we do in boxing, we need to have a farm/apprentice-style system in place for mixed martial arts as well. Since we all recognize MMA as a qualified sport that is here to stay, we need to continue to implement this amateur program for the safety, experience and well-being of combatants looking forward to pursuing their professional goals.” There is, however, a state agency working to assume responsibility over what was previously an unsanctioned endeavor. “Michigan has a self-appointed and self-funded commission named MAMA (Mixed Amateur Martial Arts),” he says. “The goal of MAMA is to work closely with the State of Michigan to establish regulation for amateur MMA. MAMA is currently establishing the support with the state to be the governing body of amateur mixed martial arts.”

“I’m excited and optimistic, and yet quite realistic,” says Weber. “I think it’s going to be slow, I think there’s going to be growth, I think that some of the challenges we confront include a state-run agency that’s underfunded and short-staffed. They’re challenged with learning a new sport that’s quite different than boxing.” But, he adds, ending on a positive note, “I think mixed martial arts is a silver lining in the state, in terms of entertainment, and revenue, and advancing the sport.”