How to Join Amateur Ultimate Fighting

It can be difficult for amateur fighters to find places to test their skills outside of the gym where they train. Fortunately, there are many amateur leagues that are growing and being formed. It's generally easy to join amateur Ultimate Fighting, but you need to watch out for a few things before you compete.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Register with your state's Athletic Commission. All sport fighters must be on record before they can enter into a public tournament.
2. Look for amateur Ultimate Fighting leagues in your area. Most larger cities have at least one league, even if it only has a handful of members. There are lots of amateur Ultimate Fighting leagues that appeal to different kinds of fighters. For example, there are women's leagues and groups for different age and experience brackets.
3. Ask for a list of requirements for entering in a competition. You'll often be required to have a membership or sponsorship from a certain gym, but some leagues only require that you pay a fee to join. Some of the larger amateur competitions will want you to have an established fighting career before they consider you.
4. Fill out an application to join amateur Ultimate Fighting. Most of the information is very generic, like your name, address, emergency contacts and fighting history. Pay special attention to any health waiver that you have to sign in order to fight.
5. Get a copy of the league's rules. Most amateur leagues follow regulations that are similar to those of the official UFC fights. Get specific information about weight classes and the standards for weighing in before a fight because they do vary from league to league.
6. Sign up for your first fight once you've registered. Some leagues are large enough that you won't have any problems finding someone of comparable skill level to fight. Occasionally leagues will ask the fighters to do some promotion and help find other combatants.

Tips & Warnings

• There may be opportunities for fighters to referee amateur Ultimate Fighting.
• Ask the organizer of each event how medical care is provided for the competitors. Most leagues should have first aid on site and there should also be an ambulance to address any medical emergencies.
• Don't join a league that is not approved by your state's Athletic Commission. This group must give legal approval to both leagues and fights in each state.
• Avoid leagues that allow hits to the spine and elbows to the face. Moves like these that are banned from official UFC fights should also be banned from amateur leagues.