“More robbing and stealing”
By Jeremy Luchau
I was browsing on Facebook last week and ran across some status updates from Sam Caplan that I thought were pretty interesting and useful if you were a fighter and or manager.
So, like I’ve done with virtually everything I’ve learned in MMA… I stole Caplan’s idea and turned it into my blog.
Caplan is the Vice President of Talent Relations at Bellator, whom I know as the matchmaker. VP of Talent Relations is probably a fancy way of saying matchmaker now days, but true… fighters are among the world’s greatest talent I believe.
On July 1st, Caplan dropped four tips on pitching fighters on his Facebook and Twitter accounts. I think it was a tool to better help managers and fighters, but more importantly help Caplan and company get the type of information they want in the manner in which they’d like to receive it.
Someone had their thinking caps on this day, because I thought it was pure genius. Caplan at times does drop some great knowledge on his Facebook and or Twitter. He is definitely a must follow type of guy.
So of course I got to thinking, what would my “tips” be like?
1. Since MMA is full time for me, but I also carry other responsibilities at the casino… BE PERSISTENT!!! You can’t hound me enough about a fighter. Don’t be the manager that calls, emails and or text once. Then calls four weeks later asking if I got his guy on… NO, I sure didn’t.
Much like most matchmakers and promoters we have a huge database of fighters that we update often. Personally, I like to be reminded and kept up-to-date on each guy. Emailing bios, and rosters is the best way to keep things fresh.
Please don’t confuse being persistent with being a pest, though. This doesn’t mean text, call, harass daily. What it does mean is keep me informed of your roster changes and the updates on your fighters as they happen.
2. Pretty similar to Caplan’s #2… DON’T OVERSELL. Speak about your fighter within the framework of their accomplishments. I understand it’s your duty to pitch your guy as the second coming of Anderson Silva, but your credibility dwindles when we see otherwise.
Let tape and accomplishments do the talking for you. You should make it your duty to make sure you have suitable materials like fight footage (DVD or good quality Youtube), high resolution photos (both action and mug shot), accurate records, highlight packages, etc.
3. This is for fighters… ONE MANAGER IS MORE THAN ENOUGH… this is probably my biggest pet peeve in the sport. If I get multiple calls about a fighter from different managers, that fighters name is nine times out of ten shuffled to the back of the line or taken out all together.
This to me is completely unprofessional and it makes it an absolute nightmare to do business.
I think fighters are thinking, “The more guys I have looking for fights the better”. I just don’t agree.
Sign with a manager that is capable of doing the work of multiple managers. If you’re with a guy and you need to have another manager help find you fights, you probably signed with the wrong manager.
And don’t say, “Well Tom does sponsorships and Bob does my fights”, and then Tom is calling about fight info. I’m going to deal with one manager per fighter and one guy only. To have multiple people speaking on your behalf makes it very difficult to come to terms with someone.
Just too many cooks in the kitchen.
4. Another one for the fighters… DON’T CHANGE MANAGERS LIKE YOU CHANGE YOUR DRAWERS… This goes a long somewhat with No. 3, but please show some loyalty when working with a person. If every time we speak you’re telling me to talk to a different manager it shows me a couple different things.
Either you’re very difficult to work with, have absolutely no loyalty or you’re very indecisive. None of which are qualities I want to see in a fighter.
I understand there will be times where you might change a manager, but monthly is not the answer.
5. Above all else, DO NOT CALL… I prefer text.
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Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeremy.luchau
Twitter: @TheProject23
Email: [email protected]
Special Thanks: Sam Caplan (@SCaplan8), Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino (www.tachipalace.com), Fairtex (www.fairtex.com) and Metal Mulisha (www.metalmulisha.com).
“The Project Files” by Jeremy Luchau is an ongoing weekly blog series here at ProMMAnow.com that publishes each Thursday and will give readers an inside look into the life of an MMA promoter. It is part of our ongoing series of exclusive content written by individuals involved in the mixed martial arts industry.