Packing A Punch: Former Fighters Unveil MMA Sanctioning Body

Goldberg Part Of Founding Group Behind MMA Sanctioning Body

A  group of "combat sports veterans" yesterday unveiled the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts (WAMMA), the "first self-proclaimed sanctioning body" of MMA, according to Michael McCarthy of USA TODAY. WAMMA President David Szady said that the organization will "seek to rank the best fighters from various leagues and sanction 20-25 world championship fights a year." The founding group behind WAMMA includes ex-UFC fighters Don Frye and Pat Miletich and former pro wrestler Bill Goldberg. Frye said WAMMA "will take the power out of the hands of the promoters. We need some structure. Right now we're looking like the bastard child of the sports industry. This will help legitimize it." However, UFC President Dana White said WAMMA, a for-profit company, "is exactly what this sport doesn't need. They're just another group of guys looking to make some money and get a piece of the pie" (USA TODAY, 11/15).