Ambitious groups aims to unify Mixed Martial Arts titles

By Max J. Dickstein | mdickstein@am-ny.com

November 15, 2007

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A group backed by a billionaire tobacco-settlement lawyer waded into the wildly popular but jumbled world of mixed martial arts fighting yesterday, announcing the creation of a unifying sanctioning body that aims to independently rank all MMA fighters, regardless of their promotional affiliation, and to sanction bouts that would crown undisputed world MMA champions.

Making the announcement at a luncheon in the Trophy Room of Gallagher¹s Steak House in midtown, the backers of the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA) explained their effort to reporters, and to receptive but wary representatives of some of the groups that presently mount the few-holds-barred fights.

"We have a very lofty goal, and we¹re not afraid to work for it," said Bill Goldberg, a burly former fighter and a founding partner and vice president of WAMMA.

Observers said the largest organization, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which has about 200 fighters, may see WAMMA¹s unifying goal as a threat. In recent years, promoters such as UFC and the International Fight League have adopted safeguards to protect contestants and to counter the death-match reputation of MMA. The fights are regulated in 33 states. (New York still bans MMA bouts.) WAMMA's underwriter is trial lawyer Fredric G. Levin of Pensacola, Fla.

Levin made much of his fortune by winning state lawsuits against big tobacco.

"We have enough financing to continue ad infinitum," said Michael Lynch, 38, who is retiring from Levin¹s firm and is chief operating officer for WAMMA.

The sanctioning body¹s goal, however, is to lure corporate sponsorship dollars for each championship belt of WAMMA's nine weight divisions. "MMA will move into branded entertainment," Lynch said.

He added that responsibility for drug testing would fall to state commissioners.

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