This one is truly unbelievable:
The ruling, he said, came as a complete surprise particularly since he has staged previous amateur MMA shows in California with the blessing of the commission -- and also because he had received a green light for this show from another commission official.
"We had received full approval from (commissioner) Frank Munoz, who was familiar with the other shows I've done," MacNeill said. "Frank said we had done a great job in our other shows, followed all the rules, and he sanctioned us for this one.
"But Armando Garcia called me Thursday, said the show was illegal, and told me he was pulling the plug. This was going to be a very safe event, with full headgear and protective equipment, no knees or kicks to the head ... we were taking every precaution. I respect Armando -- he's just doing his job -- but I wish he hadn't waited until two days before my show to make his ruling."
Assuming that Garcia does have legal backing to stop this event, that just proves my point: there is no reason why amateur MMA - particularly when it's handled by professional and responsible promoters - should be illegal. It's how the sport grows and develops and it avoids Din Thomas-like underground shows where up and coming fighters look to gain experience by circumventing the protections a legally sanctioned event would provide. It's 2008, folks. Seriously, let's knock off the juvenile antics and start treating the sport - and it's fighters, promoters, and the rest of the MMA community - with the respect they all deserve.