Michigan's New Unarmed Combat Commission Chairman Speaks
by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 4, 2009 4:00 PM EST
in MMA News
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As a Michigan resident and a combat sports enthusiast this has been a story that I've been following rather closely. 44 year-old James Weber of Flint, MI was named the new chairman of the Michigan Unarmed Combat Commission which oversees boxing and MMA regulation throughout the state.
Mike Brudenell of the Detroit Free Press caught up with Mr Weber and was able to ask him some questions:
Q: Why did you accept the job?
A: I'm tired of seeing many of our former fight idols destitute and in a state of poverty. These people didn't become champions overnight. They had to work hard at it for years. I want to make sure our current and future fighters have sufficient health insurance in the ring and opportunities after retirement. Safety is an important issue for me. As an emergency physician in a Level 1 trauma center and longtime ring doctor, I know about head injuries firsthand. I want to improve our research into boxing and how we can help fighters.
Q: You had some club fights. Why did you climb into the ring?
A: I wanted to taste leather. My dream was to one day sit in the chair as commissioner, but I wanted to know what it was like to fight -- get inside the head of these warriors. I got my butt whipped, but I learned a lot.
...
Q: Boxing and MMA: different sports with different fans. Can you wear two hats?
A: My goal is to do what I can to represent and advance both sports, without either taking precedence. I want to see boxing resurrected in this state -- seduce the big fights we once had at Olympia, Cobo and Joe Louis Arena back to the Detroit area. I also see pro MMA shows here as a silver lining for Michigan. I think they can be a home run economically for the state.
It's very early, but he is at least saying the right things and seems to be coming from a good place. He does understand the benefits of MMA but I do think he needs someone with a better understanding of the MMA game to give him help. We'll just have to see what happens with the state and if they're able to attract bigger shows to the state and help grow the sport. Most of Michigan is in a bad way and any influx of money, even if just from an occasional major MMA show would be a major help.
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Unarmed Combat Commission Chairman
I want that job.
Seriously, it’s awesome that the chairman has actual ring time. Much more aware to the fighters’ plights.
Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett
by Scott C. Broussard on Dec 4, 2009 4:05 PM EST reply actions
I do some work for XCC so I’m not just trying to promote the show but we are doing the first pro show ever in Michigan. Saturday January 16 at the Royal Oak Music Theatre. We have great fighters lined up including Vernon Paris who is the undeafted boxer making his pro debut.
by bmark6197 on Dec 4, 2009 4:14 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Promote the fucking show! Don't apologize!
Everyone here is interested in growing and supporting the sport, and one of the best ways to do that is by attending local events. Thanks for advising/reminding us about this upcoming one.
Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion
by The Kittitas Kid on Dec 4, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
XCC
I have been to an XCC show, it was a good time. My buddy Brad Brown had a fight for you guys I think. He’s with FightXC now. I go to lots of amatuer shows here in SE michigan and have been wondering when the pro stuff was gonna get going.
I think this chairman has his hopes a little high about the boxing coming back to the D. It will be a long time (if ever) that we get big boxing fights here again. A UFC in the metro area would be a better bet. The Palace would be nice
Seriously...
e-mail me more info. I’ll try and make it out to the event to cover it for the site. The first sanctioned pro show in the state is a legitimately big thing and I’d like to try and be there.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 4, 2009 5:42 PM EST up reply actions
I’ll make sure to do that. I’ll talk to the owner tomorrow because we have a show in Lincoln Park so I’ll try to get an updated fight card for you guys as well and Brent I’ll email you with the info as I get it.
by bmark6197 on Dec 4, 2009 8:23 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
At first blush:
Sounds like a smart guy. Good luck to you Michiganers (Michiganites?) with him.
Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion
by The Kittitas Kid on Dec 4, 2009 4:18 PM EST reply actions
Duly noted. I shall refer to them as such going forward.
Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion
by The Kittitas Kid on Dec 4, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
part michigan resident, part goose...
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 4, 2009 5:43 PM EST up reply actions
It's been said before
but why “Unarmed” Combat Commission Chairman? Is this to set it off from the “Armed” Combat Commission?
You've obviously never been
to Brightmoor or the Cass Corridor. They definitely need an Armed Combat Commission.
Michigan
Despite the economic condition, there’s still money here, and disposable income.
There’s a huge demand for a UFC event here, and hosting one at the Palace would be a big deal. It’s a great suburban venue for anyone who watches the NBA and holds about 22 or 23k.
As far as the XCC event, the January event I’ll keep a lookout for. I’d be intrigued to see Vernon fight as well. Looks like tickets aren’t on sale yet but I’ll be watching.
FakeTeams.com - SBNation's Fantasy Source
Michigan Preps of Rivals.com - The Ultimate Source For Michigan High School Sports
by Bryan Everson (The Royalty of Roto) on Dec 4, 2009 4:41 PM EST reply actions
Some guys I used to work with were assigned to do a job in Detriot. During their lunch break they would sit on the roof and watch the drug dealers fight.
Keep firing Assholes!
More pale flesh hit the ice than that time they gutted a seal on APTN.
Depends where in Detroit you go...
like every big city it has it’s nicer, artsier districts…but it does have more “bad areas” than most cities.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Dec 4, 2009 5:44 PM EST up reply actions
Finally!!
Was going to post this, but Brent beat me too it.
Hook us up bmark!!
Hey Marcello! The Dow Event Center in Saginaw would be awesome for UWC
"Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment."
-Lao Tzu
I will keep you all updated. I’ll see what I can do. Tickets are not on sale yet so when they do I’ll let you all know and maybe try to get you guys a bloodyelbow table.
by bmark6197 on Dec 4, 2009 8:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Would be very cool. I’ve already told some friends about it and they’re very interested.
FakeTeams.com - SBNation's Fantasy Source
Michigan Preps of Rivals.com - The Ultimate Source For Michigan High School Sports
by Bryan Everson (The Royalty of Roto) on Dec 5, 2009 5:30 PM EST up reply actions
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