The original founder of the UFC Bob Meyrowitz is starting a new fight league named Yamma Pit Fighting (YPF). It will be a tournament style event, similar to the old days of the UFC.
The first event will take place on April 11th from the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ.
The tournaments require a winning fighter to compete at least twice in one night. This was a very popular style back in the day of the old UFC , but was thrown out the window due to fighter safety and pressure from the athletic commission. However in November of 2007, Strikeforce held the first sanctioned tourney style event in California and plans to do more in 2008.
Along side the tournament style fighting, YPF is implementing a new type of fighting surface named : “YAMMA”
In statements released Bob said :
“It’s an evolution of the traditional fighting ring that will greatly alter the current basis of MMA by changing how the fight is fought and the strategy the fighters must use to win. This new surface has been specifically designed to keep the fighting more explosive and continuous. The YAMMA will change the face of the sport and will challenge the relevance of the fighters’ trademark tactics, as methods that were previously successful may be rendered useless with the new ring. This twist on an already successful sport will prove hugely popular with fighters and MMA audiences alike. It’s with great excitement that we launch YAMMA Pit Fighting. Our deep and proven knowledge of the entertainment and MMA spheres put us in a great position to add a new dimension to the presentation of MMA as it moves into the future.“
MMA fans, are they talking about a moving mat? A cage that uses Hydraulics to move fighter’s from one position to another? The organization isn’t saying much about it now, but they do believe YPF will propel MMA into the next level.
Bob Meyrowitz created the UFC in 1993. He sold it more as a spectacle than sport, but in 2000 the organization had changed the rules during the first 25 shows or so and by then he treated it more like a sport.
The first ever UFC sanctioned event was UFC 28 under the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, in which he was still running the UFC organization.
Sounds like he’s getting back to his roots: Spectacle before sport.
Yeah it does seem like a spectacle. I dont like it as a long term thing. But if they can gather some big names to participate, curiosity alone will force me to purchase the 1st event. I Especially love to see tournament style events. Fighters fighting multiple times a night is a beautiful thing!
I hope they dont get to gimicky with the fighting surface, I dont want to see an American Gladiator type thing…I am curious to see how this all unfolds.
Its a good idea short term, but I dont think it can last because it wont be a sport.
But if they get some big names, every one will tune in to the 1st event. I cant wait to hear Dana bash this thing…but I bet he will be watching the 1st event for sure
A hydrualical cage?? A moving mat..both you guys are right. This will bear the word spectacle. Let`s see what unfolds.
Since everyone else got on here ahead of me, I’ll just echo everyone else: Fight fans want fights, not gimmicks.
but u all have to admit, that if they land some big mma names in the 1st event, you will probably heck it out. I am not saying that you will purchase it on pay per view, but curiosity will cause everyone to atleast check it out on the internet. I don’t think this idea can make it to a 2nd event.
I think I seen this event already on the new American Gladiators, I just don’t remember the name of the game….