My First MMA Conference Call Experience
by Brian Hemminger on Dec 11, 2009 1:16 AM EST
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I am an amateur mixed martial arts writer, I don’t have a degree in journalism and I’ve never done any professional writing. That’s what makes the last 48 hours so special. Two nights ago at about midnight I received an e-mail with an invitation to the Strikeforce teleconference. All four fighters in the main event for this card were available for interview. This included former middleweight champion and actor Cung Le, his opponent Scott Smith, lightweight champion Josh Thomson and his opponent, interim lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez.
For me, this was incredibly surreal. My only contact thus far with fighters was Kenny Florian saying "lol" to a twitter message I sent him.
Hell yes I saved it.
Hell yes I saved it.
Anyways, I was incredibly antsy when I woke up yesterday morning, I spent about 3 hours researching all the fighters looking for decent questions to ask them so I wouldn’t look like the complete amateur that I am. Once I felt I was prepared, I called the Strikeforce hotline with the access code, identified myself and I was in! Sure, I had to wait 20 minutes, but I’ve never been more excited to listen to lame "hold" music in my life.
Once 2PM rolled around, the teleconference started. The Strikeforce media director gave a prepared statement and each fighter gave their opening comments. They went something like this:
Cung Le – I’m ready to be back, I’m excited for this fight.
Scott Smith – I’m excited to be a headliner, it’s an honor.
Josh Thomson – I’m trying to get through this last week without injury. I think Melendez is the best fighter in the division.
Gilbert Melendez – I’ve been training hard, prepared for a 5 round war.
After some of the reporters from bigger organizations asked their questions (taking several that I had prepared), it was my turn. There I was, dressed in my business formal sweatpants and tank top. I got to ask each fighter one question.
Me: Cung, does it bother you to be fighting so soon after having to vacate your belt?
Cung Le: It was really hard to vacate it, but it was an honorable thing to do. I had the movie career, and it wasn’t fair to the other 185 pounders in Strikeforce who were worthy of holding the title. I wasn’t expecting to be fighting so soon, but a movie got pushed back because a producer was still working on Resident Evil 4 and I had that urge to get back in the cage.
Me: Scott, you have great power standing, but Cung Le poses a serious threat with his dynamic striking and kicks. Have you been working on mixing up your strikes?
Scott Smith: Absolutely, you have to prepare for each fight individually. I’ve been working with my coaches and watching a lot of film of his fights to be ready for him. What you have to remember is that he has to prepare for me too. The best way to win is to force him to fight your style, and if I can do that, I know I can win.
Me: Josh, this fight bas been rescheduled multiple times due to your injuries. What precautions have you taken to ensure you will be healthy?
Josh Thomson: I took it easy with the training early this time to ensure I was fully healed. I decided to train with tough grapplers like Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch. I also trained a lot more with fighters in my own weight class, because I kept getting hurt by training with considerably bigger guys. I’ve been kicking with my leg hard, putting it into leg locks and it feels great. I’m 100% healthy and I’m ready for this fight.
Me: Gilbert, this fight has been in the making for over a year. How does it feel to finally be coming to fruition and to unite the lightweight belts?
Gilbert Melendez: It was a blessing in disguise, you never wish injury on anyone, but the fact that he got injured twice has given me even more time to prepare for him. I’m not sure if I was mentally ready the first time to fight him but I’m happy that this time has come and I’ve been given a chance to redeem myself.
And that was it! Hopefully I get another chance to do this again. It was something I’ll never forget.
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Congratulations
Those were all excellent questions, did not set up limited responses. Good work.
Yeah, I learned a lot just from listening to some of the retarded questions some of the other guys were asking. One guy asked the same stupid question to all 4 fighters, and Melendez owned him with his answer
by Brian Hemminger on Dec 11, 2009 3:07 AM EST up reply actions
Which was? Come on man, we need details.
by Swordslasher on Dec 11, 2009 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
A bit of advice...
keep a good, positive relationship with Strikeforce. They’ve very smaller media friendly due to wanting as much coverage as they can possibly get.
I wouldn’t be shocked if you couldn’t get credentialed if they come to your area. Which leads me to my other bit of advice…dress the part if you ever do any live coverage. Don’t wear fighter T-shirts…etc. I can’t tell you how many smaller media guys were at the CBS show wearing Fedor shirts…etc. Remember, you’re not there as a fan. …not saying you WOULD do that. I’m just saying, it’s a good way to get yourself written off for something minor.
Great questions by the way.
One last piece of advice. Pimp your site son! Put it in your sig here at BloodyElbow, when you talk about stuff you’ve done in a fanpost…link to your site. Small pages turn into big pages through shameless plugging!
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 11, 2009 6:11 PM EST reply actions
As for dressing the part, that is very important advice. When I was at UFC 90 (for the newspaper I work at), it was listed in the set of rules that the media were not to wear any MMA clothing. That included something as simple as a Tapout or Affliction shirt.
Also, shamelessly grab everything that is passed your way. For a small-time writer such as yourself, or a college student that doesn’t plan on staying in the business such as myself, you’ll want to keep everything you can. I grabbed a copy of every scorecard, quote, or magazine they passed out.
by Swordslasher on Dec 11, 2009 8:53 PM EST up reply actions
Thanks
I tried to get credentials for Fedor vs Rogers but I had only written about 3 or 4 articles at that point and I got turned down. I’m definitely gonna try again next time they are within 500 miles.
(I write for http://worldextremefighter.com btw)
by Brian Hemminger on Dec 11, 2009 8:54 PM EST up reply actions
also
BTW It was a conference call (telephone) so that’s why I was in sweatpants and tank top. I certainly would have been more professional if it was like an actual face to face media event.
by Brian Hemminger on Dec 11, 2009 9:03 PM EST up reply actions
Right. Just a major tip if you cover one of their events. In the post-fight conferences, just shout out your question. It’s not a “raise your hand and wait to be called on situation”. Once you start asking your question, everyone else is kind enough to shut up and listen.
by Swordslasher on Dec 11, 2009 10:33 PM EST up reply actions
This is good advice for many press conferences, but if you end up at the UFC this is not true at all. Follow the lead of the experienced reporters.
by Jonathan Snowden on Dec 12, 2009 12:42 AM EST up reply actions
I didn’t mean to shout literally. But don’t be afraid to just ask your question. As he said, just let a few of the other guys go first to get a feeling for the way it works.
by Swordslasher on Dec 12, 2009 4:05 PM EST up reply actions
Oh trust me...
I didn’t mean because of what you said above about being in sweatpants. I just meant “don’t dress like you’re there to root for a fighter”
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 12, 2009 11:51 AM EST up reply actions
ok
Thanks for the advice Brent. The guy who runs the site I write for got media credentials for the Strikeforce event (he’s a lot closer to it than me) so I definitely feel I’ll get them next time they have anything evenly remotely close to Ohio again.
by Brian Hemminger on Dec 12, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions
Try and sign up for the UFC and WEC’s media list. They were surprisingly easy for me to get on. Just send an email to one of their PR people. That way you can get on their conference calls too. No chance you’ll get credentialed to a UFC or WEC event though.
When Bellator comes back for season 2 though you could get credentialed there. Info for that is on their website.
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