Where Does BAMMA Go From Here?

Where Does BAMMA Go From Here?

By Dan McConnell

European mixed martial arts promotion BAMMA was one of the best MMA organisations in the world. From their establishment in 2009 and take over as the premiere UK MMA leader from Cage Rage Championship, the company has been producing top match-ups, talent and events throughout the years. But right now who really knows what’s going on with the organisation?

BAMMA lost the vast majority of its roster to Bellator and Cage Warriors through the promotion’s signing of nearly 40 fighters across the UK, Ireland and Western Europe and has not put on an event since June 28th 2018. This event was one of the biggest in the history of the company which co-incited with England’s World Cup Group game and was sold as ‘World Cup Fight Night’. The main-event featured a super-fight between BAMMA Lightweight Champion Rhys McKee and Welterweight Champion Terry Brazier where one would become a BAMMA two division world champion.

Things looked great at this point, until the bigger organisations especially Bellator began their raid of Irish and UK-based talent by snapping BAMMA’s top talent, leaving them with an even more depleted roster which they already couldn’t afford. The influx of UK and Irish talent to the bigger promotions has hit hard with BAMMA and the wounds are starting to show. Top fighters like Aaron Chalmers, Rhys McKee, Fabian Edwards, Kiefer Crosbie, Richie Smullen, Terry Brazier, Ion Pascu and Alex Lohore have all been lost in this frenzy.

Former BAMMA CEO Dave Green announced recently he has left his role at BAMMA and taken up a post as Head of Bellator Europe. Green is not the only member of BAMMA’s backroom that has recently joined the Bellator ranks. As well as the numerous BAMMA fighters who have put pen to paper, former BAMMA matchmaker Jude Samuel also joined Bellator recently as the lead of the promotion’s European talent relations and matchmaking. It is understood that Samuel has been a key figure in relation to Bellator acquiring European talent.

Added with this uncertainty, there are so many vacant titles with the promotion and lack of depth within divisions. The only remaining title holders are Heavyweight Champion Brett McDermott and Flyweight Champion Daniel Barez. The addition of former Champion Tom ‘Kong’ Watson was huge for the promotion but it is unclear where and who he will fight because of this awkward situation. BAMMA has been on Spike UK, Channel 5, Dave, ITV4 and UNILAD Facebook showing its ability to cut TV deals but with these factors in the mix it is certainly a huge transition period with a lot of question marks of will we ever see the promotion again?

On a positive note BAMMA looks committed to growing on the Irish MMA scene when they recently announced the signing of 15 Irish fighters from across several weight divisions and featuring the next generation of potential Irish MMA stars. These included Decky Dalton, Myles Price, Dean Barry, Karl McCallig and Diarmuid O’ Buachalla which bolsters their rosters and backs up BAMMA’s willingness to promote good Irish talent and make Dublin a hub and foundation for the company to grow. They have confirmed four dates for Dublin 2019. These dates have been confirmed as 8th February, 17th May, 7th September and 2nd November. The organisation also have a stop in destination Dublin on December 9th this year but there has been no official announcement for matchups, times or venue.