Going Pro, then back to Amatuer? Huh?

**Airman Kai** · Posted On: 1/15/2008 12:11am

I thought that once you competed in a pro even, you couldn't compete in amatuer events anymore? I ask because I know a guy who competed in a few pro events in '06, but his most recent fight is in '07 (on FCFighter), and it's an amateur event? What gives?

**Vince Tortelli** · Posted On: 1/15/2008 12:18am

Didn't Houston Alexander have a bunch of amateur fights in between his pro fights? I think it's possibly...probably...plausibly...theoretically... hypothetically...maybe possible.

**hpr** · Posted On: 1/15/2008 12:41am

Is there a governing federation that you announce your pro status and enforces it? Unless it's somehow regulated I can't see why you can't go back to amateur rule set even after going pro, even though I think it's pretty bad form, especially if you're winning matches as a pro.

**Airman Kai** · Posted On: 1/15/2008 12:43am

Originally Posted by hpr

Is there a governing federation that you announce your pro status and enforces it? Unless it's somehow regulated I can't see why you can't go back to amateur rule set even after going pro, even though I think it's pretty bad form, especially if you're winning matches as a pro.

Well, this guys wasn't. And he didn't win his latest amateur match, either. I think he may have just been trying to compete in an easier talent pool and it backfired.

I guess my question is, are you not supposed to be able to do that (and nobody cares/checks), or is it really just unregulated in any way?

**Anna Kovacs** · Posted On: 1/15/2008 12:47am

You're not supposed to but some sanctioning bodies and people don't care all that much, nor should they. Honestly I think the "pro/amateur" catagories are stupid and match making should be made based on total experience. "Pro" and "amateur" are very often completely meaningless in MMA. (Also, the pro/amateur bullshit really hurts womens combat sports)

But honestly, there are places where you have to go "pro" for your very first fight and then there are "amateurs" with 15 fights under their belt. There's no real difference in ruleset or anything in MMA so there;s really no reason for the "pro/amateur" classifications to exist.

The "a, b, c, d" system of match making based on actual fight experience makes much more sense.

**Roidie McDouchebag** · Posted On: 1/15/2008 12:49am

It's really unregulated. It's on the honour system for the most part.

**Airman Kai** · Posted On: 1/15/2008 12:51am

Originally Posted by AnnaTrocity

You're not supposed to but a lot of sanctioning bodies and people don't care all that much, nor should they. Honestly I think the "pro/amateur" catagories are stupid and match making should be made based on total experience. "Pro" and "amateur" are very often completely meaningless in MMA.

(Also, the pro/amateur bullshit really hurts womens combat sports)

I didn't know "Pro" and "Womens" could share the same sentence. Weird.

Seriously, though, I've seen you mention it before and I think it's shitty how you have to deal with that whole Pro/Am thing.

**Roidie McDouchebag** · Posted On: 1/15/2008 1:22am

She makes a bigger deal of it than she has to.

**Airman Kai** · Posted On: 1/15/2008 1:29am

Originally Posted by Cracky McSlugHoot

She makes a bigger deal of it than she has to.

I have the utmost respect for her, though, so I ignore anything she overdoes.

Don't spread that around, though. It could be disasterous if anybody finds out I have the capacity to respect women.