This week, Cagewriter is taking a look at different jobs within the MMA world. Click here to read the other posts on the subject.
On the way to becoming the head of the Ohio Athletic Commission, Bernie Profato served as a police officer, Marine, softball umpire, basketball official, and boxing referee. In his seven years at the head of the commission that oversees every MMA event, Ohio has grown from hosting four events a year to 144. He gave Cagewriter a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into preparing for events.
Cagewriter: Bernie, I want to give readers a look behind-the-scenes at what state commissions do.
Bernie Profato: Our first concern is always safety. The safety of fighter comes first, then the rules. There's a lot of issues that go around making that safe environment, not just the rules, but everything going up to the rules. I have to make sure we get the three Ws: the fighters and promoters win, the sport wins, and that means the state of Ohio wins. There's a lot involved.
CW: What kind of preparation goes into overseeing an MMA event, especially some of the bigger UFC, WEC and Strikeforce cards that Ohio has hosted?
BP: Every event is really treated the same as far as what we do to make sure we're consistent. We have to make sure they have a promoter's license. The first thing we want them to do is go to our website and look at the list of the 40-something things that are the promoter's responsibility. Somebody can't just say, 'I saw something on TV, I want to promote something tomorrow.' It just doesn't happen that way. There's a lot we're going to expect of you so that you can be successful, and the sport can be successful.
Once you get the permit OKed, you have to list your planned bouts on the MMA LLC website. Every one of those fights is approved or denied by me. If I deny the fight, I put why it's denied, whether that it's not competitive or if there is a need for a medical clearance. Every fight is scrutinized.
It's also our job to see if these guys are licensed in the state of Ohio, or they have to turn in their medical paperwork. If they're over 35, they have more medicals, and if they're over 39, they have to get even more medicals. We have to check FightFax to make sure this person isn't a boxer under suspension. At event time, my inspectors cover the events. They'll issue a license and a national ID, they conduct weigh-ins, doctors do the pre-fight exams. The inspectors will then send in the results, and notify us of any suspensions, whether it's medical or administrative. (For example, unsportsmanlike conduct.)
CW: So it's your job to oversee all that?
BP: I get involved. I'm a hands-on person. I'm not the type of director who just sits at a desk and delegates. I'm part of a team, and we've got a great team.
CW: How do you keep track of so many fights?
BP: We use a database that shows if a fighter is suspended and his name comes up in bright yellow. It tells us everything. In Ohio, a fighter can't turn pro unless he's had five fights. I've had to deny guy's pro fights because they were just 2-0. Are we being too nitpicky? Maybe, but you know what, I don't know who this guy fought. We're going to err on the side of the safety.
Once you've had four losses in a row, we have to note it, and it doubles your suspension. If they lose seven fights in a row, we tell them, maybe you should try bowling or golf. I had a fighter call me from out-of-state who had 16 losses in a row. He had never even seen a ring girl. He had never gotten out of the first round. I told him that there's no way he'll get licensed in the state of Ohio. You want to go steal a paycheck? Do it somewhere else. I'm not even blaming him. I'm blaming the commissions who licensed him.
Am I ever going to deny a fight that shouldn't be denied, or approve a fight that shouldn't be approved? Absolutely. We're going to be 97 or 98 percent correct, and I don't think you can ask any better than that.
CW: What's the best part of this job?
BP: Just meeting the fighters, and getting involved with all of them. The mutual respect we have for each other. They respect us in Ohio because they know we respect them. You can't go in and think these people are just a commodity and think they'll come back. We tell the promotions coming in that our goal is that they'll want to go come back to Ohio, and we always listen to their suggestions. Because the day you think you know everything? You pack it in.
In Ohio, we treat MMA as it goes back to the ancient, Oriental martial arts. In that, we feel that are four qualities that are a part of it in the martial arts tradition. A) Self-respect. B) Respect for your opponent, C) Respect for the sport and those who regulate it, and D) Self discipline. If you can't bring all four of those to the state of Ohio, don't come here.
CW: Is there much communication between you and the other states?
BP: Definitely. Someone will send out an email, "How do you handle this situation?" and we'll respond. They don't have to take our advice, but you look at the people who are successful, and try it on and see what works for you. We have the opportunity to share that knowledge with each other.
One person I've learned so much from is (New Jersey State Athletic Commission head) Nick Lembo. He is just so knowledgeable, and I'll tell you something, he saved Thiago Alves' life. Thank God he was fighting in New Jersey, because they found that issue with his brain.
I denied the Sims-Sylvia fight here because it wasn't competitive, and I took a little bit of a beating by some blogs. But then the next thing you know, the poll on TV says that people are 95 to 5 on denying that fight. You've got to keep these guys safe.
Randy Couture told me, "All other commissions should come to Ohio to see how Ohio does it." These are the top professionals in the world, and we want to treat them like professionals.
Read more from Profato's interview here. Profato has another big event to oversee, as he Ohio will host Strikeforce for the semifinals of the heavyweight Grand Prix.
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