Making Money in Mixed Martial Arts Is Tough: RIP HCF

by Luke Thomas on May 9, 2008 8:36 AM EDT in MMA News

Although Hardcore Championship Fighting never positioned itself as a competitor to the UFC, Dana White is correct when he says he makes it look easy. Maybe a little too easy:

Hardcore Championship Fighting is officially out of business, CEO Keith Crawford has informed Sherdog.com.

The news comes after a period of great optimism for the Canadian organization. HCF was expected to announce this week that it had been purchased -- a move that Crawford hoped would put the promotion among the few legitimately vying for the No. 2 spot behind the UFC.

HCF had made waves since it started promoting last July, signing such high-profile fighters as Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Renato Sobral, Gegard Mousasi and David Loiseau.

Crawford would not speak on the record about the causes of HCF's demise. However, he said that both he and former partner Dave Houshiar will continue as MMA promoters, each with his own event.

Without more information I'm not going to bother to speculate. But I will say is that through observation and deals that have fallen through for me personally, I've seen MANY mid-tier MMA promotions be unable to establish any momentum towards fiscal solvency. The fact is this business is tough and by all accounts, HCF was well respected by fighters, fans, and the staff involved. If even they cannot string together enough successful shows to keep business afloat, what on earth is the IFL going to do?

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RIP HCF

If EliteXC still had two dimes to rub together (to steal Dana's favorite phrase), they would sign Lil Nog, Sobral, and Ortiz. They don't, so they likely will not, but if they did, well, you could do a lot worse than having those three as your main Light Heavyweights.

Like, for example, having Jared Hamman and Poa'i Sugawhatever as your main Light Heavyweights. Or Bobby Southworth and Anthony Ruiz.

I kind of like Ruiz, but come on.

by Brett Jones on May 9, 2008 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

RIP HCF

I've met and talked to Dave Houshiar and Keith Crawford. I live in Calgary where the promotion was based from and at press events surrounding their events have had some candid conversations with them.

Keith told me that they weren't making any money and that they weren't in it to make money. Keith said for now he just wanted quality MMA in Calgary and that was it.

On a show last year he brought in Aleksander Emelianenko vs Dan Bobbish and Keith told me that Aleksanders purse alone would nearly put HCF in the red for the event. But still, they put on the event with a smile knowing full well they were losing money.

HCF was nice to have while it lasted. At one time they had Aleksander, Fedor and Barnett all at the same event. :)

by ghettoiam on May 9, 2008 11:12 AM EDT reply actions

Re: RIP HCF

Anytime someone says they're in business but not for the money, you can bet they won't be in business very long. The sad fact is that fighters like Babalu, Aleks and Fedor and Josh Barnett don't draw enough fan $$ to justify what they can earn in Japan.

by Nate Wilcox on May 9, 2008 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Re: Making Money in Mixed Martial Arts Is Tough: R

Is little Nog done with his boxing? If so, I expect to see him in the UFC sooner than later. Maybe it is about time for Babalu to return also. Somehow Tito and EXC just sound like a match to me.

To bad, hate to see promotions go down.

by BJJDenver on May 9, 2008 3:34 PM EDT reply actions