SOMMA: Event preview

SOMMA (Scottish Organisation of Mixed Martial Arts) is this Saturday in Glasgow at the Queen Margaret Union and it is shaping up to be a great but different type of mixed martial art show. SOMMA emphasise that this event is about the fighters and that they want to create a “safe show that the whole family can come along to” Prior to the event we spoke to the owner of SOMMA David Galbraith to speak about his upcoming show and what makes it different from the standard mixed martial event.

What is SOMMA and what makes it different?

I’m a retired professional fighter, gym owner and coach, I’m passionate about equality and fairness for fighters. We won’t have ring girls for a few reasons but I want the focus to be on our fighters. We aren’t matching the traditional weight categories but doing mostly “Catch weights”. Our aim is to get MMA regulated in Scotland. We want to create a safe show that the whole family can come along to. We have plans to launch a Youth project to get kids of the streets and into training and competition but details won’t be released just yet. This will be something special.

If SOMMA had an “ethos” or a “motto” what would it be? Fight fair, Fight honest- We showcase real, honest fights.

What fight are you most looking forward to? 

All of the fights on the card excite me but if I need to choose…

I’m looking forward to Paul McCulloch’s debut as I have coached and trained with him for over 5 years now. He’s extremely dedicated and will go all the way. Watch this guy he can fight.

Danish fighter Thomas Jessing is very impressive so I’m looking forward to seeing him in action and I’ve heard great things about his opponent Suzanne who comes from a Muay Thai background. Thomas Jessing is just about to sign a sponsorship deal with Reebok and our management agency.

David Wilson vs Brice Robert. This one has KO all over it. Don’t blink this will be a slugfest. Those guys hit very hard.

I’m excited about all the fights to be honest. I just feel very privileged to be in a position to make it happen.

 

You were a fighter and are now going to be a promoter – do you feel your time as a fighter gives you an advantage over other promoters?

I love martial arts. This is what I live and breathe. This is my passion. My life has revolved around this sport from when it all kicked off in the UK. I’ve seen the good and the bad. I’ve seen what can go wrong and what can go right. I’ve stepped in that cage 23 times to fight. I know first hand what those fighters put themselves through and how little they get paid. For them it’s do or die and it’s not about the money. I’ve had fighters offer to fight on our show for free but I’ve refuse. All our fighters get paid. I have fighter to fighter respect with our athletes. It comes from knowing what you put yourself through day in and day out. Nobody truly see’s how you are when you go home or you’re dehydrating yourself to make weight. When the training for competition has an impact on your family and friends. The wins and the losses. This is everything to those guys and I know that because I’ve done it. As a fighter myself I have huge respect for anyone who walks into that cage. I also know that a fighter isn’t worried about his own safety. Now I have a huge responsibility to ensure their safety because they aren’t always in the best position to make that decision. To say I have an advantage I’m not sure. Its depending on what being a promoter is. If it’s to make money then no I don’t have the advantage. If it’s building a promotion then we’ll need to wait and see.

You are becoming somewhat of an advocate for fighter safety – what are SOMMA implementing that shows this?

That’s very flattering. We will be doing pre and post fight medicals as well as having ambulance on site (This isn’t always standard). We will have a medical team for both fighters and fans as their safety is equally as important. All our officials have been specially selected with no association to any gym that is competing on the show. We will have a strong security presence with around 8 stewards with metal detectors plus SOMMA staff. Each team will have their own room to warm up and their own toilets. We are not sticking to the traditional weight classes. We have matched fighters matched up to the nearest kg to discourage weight cuts with dehydration.

What are three key things you think needs changed/introduced to maximise fighter safety

1. Weight cuts need to be abolished.

2.  We need to have annual brain scans at the very least.

3. Blood work should be mandatory for all fighter. This will also increase safety for gyms.

4.  The judges and officials need to be impartial. It’s not safe walking into an event were all the officials want to see you lose. That is beyond negligent.

5. We need to reduce the amount of journeymen on the scene with licensing. Some of these guys are getting battered every other week. It’s not good to watch and it’s not good for the fighters.

I gave you 5 and I could give you another 50 but we’ll leave it at that for just now.

What have been some of the challenges with launching a promotion

Financially it has been challenging along with the workload, sleepless nights planning, negotiating, preparing. It’s a lot like fight prep. All you do is obsess over it and what’s going to happen. Finding the right people to work with you. I’m very fortunate in the sense I already have an amazing team but it’s very much like fighting. This is all on me. I embrace the challenge though. I’ve always thrown myself into things head first as I love to challenge myself. Setting up this promotion has filled the gap from fighting for now. I’ll always have that in me so I’ll need to channel it in the right direction.

You are trying to launch regulation in Scotland – how is that going, what more needs to be done and are you optimistic this will get anywhere

It’s going to happen. I don’t commit to anything I’m passionate about with the intent to try so this is going to happen. It has to happen otherwise the sport, promotions, fighters, gyms, people’s livelihoods and lives are all at risk.

First of all we need to get all the main players together at a table to have a discussion to see who’s on board. Particularly promoters and relevant officials. After that we then need to discuss what rules are going to implemented. The response has been remarkable. All our main promotions seems to be on board showing a united front which is amazing.

Why should someone come to SOMMA on May 21st?

We are not the biggest or the best promotion in Scotland or UK. The atmosphere will be different at our show. It will have a safe friendly vibe. This event is about celebrating the beauty of Mixed Martial Art. About applauding the athletes who step into the cage to showcase their skills. Showing courage by facing an adversary in a fair battle. We will have live music during breaks performed in the cage.

Professional Bouts

Mcculloch vs Divialle 77kg

Wilson Vs Robert Heavyweight

Jessing vs Suzanne 77kg

Amateur Bouts

Jason Stronge Vs Damon Donald 69kg

Hussain Rahman vs Robbie Thornton 64kg

Phil Carruth vs Kris Wiseman 67kg

Anton Baburin vs Kris Rafferty 66kg

Marc Simpson vs Jack Jakowski 76kg

Jordan May vs Darren Reape 90kg

Thomas Callaghan vs Scott Drummond 70kg

Charlie Love vs Alan Miller 60kg

Officials

Fighter checks: James Green

Referee: Dean Weir

Judges- Del Hillan- John Jamieson- Mark Coyle

Paramedics- HART Scotland

Event Sponsors

NewLife Gym

NewLife Ladies

NewLife Photgraphy

Regent Studio

Epibrow

Wilson Contracts

Yin&Yang Live entertainment

SOMMA Facebook

SOMMA website