ISCF News April 2015

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MAY 2015

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SUNDAY, May 31st, 2015, AT 9:10 AM/ PST

Results From Florida Fight Foundation's
"CAGE WARS"
May 30th, 2015 - Starke, Florida, USA

WHO: Florida Fight Foundation
WHERE: Bradford County Fairgrounds
2300 N. Temple Avenue, Starke, Florida, USA
WHAT: ISCF Amateur MMA
ISCF Event Representative: Connie Barden
ISCF Referee: Josh Rutgers
ISCF Judges: Jack Hodges, TBA & TBA
ISCF Timekeeper: Debbie Sutton
ISCF Ringside Physicians (MD) Dr. Kay
Locker Room Inspector: Amiele Gendive
PROMOTER: Mr. Jerry Coker At (904) 333-3183

ISCF Amateur MMA
Andrew Dancy (Live Oak, Florida, USA, 6-3, 241, 5'11", 12-30-1986, Big Shawn, (352) 318-5075)
VS Carl (Ricky) Toole (Lake City, Florida, USA, 6'2", 242, 3-1, James Charles, (402) 219-3346)
WINNER: Andrew Dancy by TKO at 33 seconds of round 1.
Carl (Ricky) Toole received a 30 day suspension until June 29, 20015.
IKF Amateur Kickboxing
Todd Boyd ( Interlachen, Florida, USA, 0-1, 151, 5'11", 1-5-1995, Todd Boyd, (326) 684-2361)
VS Jaredd Elston (Lake City, Florida, USA, 1-0, 5'11", 9-14-1993 Josh Goins, (386) 288-1334)
WINNER: Jaredd Elston by TKO at 1:33 seconds of round 2.
Todd Boyd received a 30 day suspension until June 29, 2015.
ISCF Amateur MMA
Amos Merriweather ( Starke, Florida, USA, 2-3, 146, 5'5", 8-24-89, Self, (904) 353-2005)
VS Patrick Webley (Ocala, Florida, USA, 2-5, 151, 5'11", 7-17-1990, Sweatshop, (352) 470-3610)
WINNER: Amos Merriweather :59 seconds of round 2.
ISCF Amateur MMA
Jarriad Forsyth (Starke, Florida, USA, 3-0, 164, 5'9", 8-31-1995, Jamie Harrison (904) 798-8333)
VS Matt Goff (Ocala, Florida, USA, 1-2, 163, 5'8", Matt Davis, (352) 438-4078)
WINNER: Jarriad Forsyth by Arm Bar at 2:04 of round 1.
IKF Junior Amateur Kickboxing
Cade Allen (Old Town, Florida, USA, 130, 0-1, 5'5", 8-2-1998, Shawn Vaugh, (352) 318-5675)
VS Tyler Goodwin (Lake City, Florida, USA, 134, 1-0, 5'4", 3-3-1999, Josh Goins, (386) 288-1334)
WINNER: Tyler Goodwin Unanimous Decision 30-27, 30-27, 29-28.
ISCF Amateur MMA
Jozef Gould (Lake City, Florida, USA, 2-2, 139, 5'10", 06-27-1994, Josh Goins, (386) 288-1334)
VS Toby Boyd (Interlachen, Florida, USA, 144, 6', 12-15-1992, Toby Boyd, (386) 916-9671)
WINNER: Jozef Gould by Rear Naked Choke at 1:43 of round 1.
ISCF Amateur MMA
Shawn Brown (Live Oak, Florida, USA, 5-1, 164, 5'10", 12-9-1995, Shawn Vaugh, (352) 318-5675)
VS Andrew Waycaster (St Augustine, Florida, USA, 2-1, 157, 6'2", 1-10-1994, Thomas Manning, (904) 333-1655)
WINNER: Shawn Brown by Split Decision, 30-27, 30-27, 28-29.
ISCF Amateur MMA
Devin Paulk (Starke, Florida, USA, 3-1, 184, 5'8", 11-2-1993, Self, (904) 762-8247)
VS Hank Williams (Old Town, Florida, USA, 2-3, 6'1", 9-8-1990, Shawn Vaugh, (352) 318-5675)
WINNER: Devin Paulk by TKO at 1:39 of round 1.
Hank Willams received a 30 day suspension until June 29th.
ISCF Amateur MMA
Javanis Ross (Starke, Florida, USA, 8-4, 157, 6', 1-7-1995, Self, (904) 769-8741)
VS Nicholas Carlucci (Live Oak, Florida, USA, 158, 8-4, 5'11", 4-18-1987, Melvin Thompson, (386) 288-2282)
WINNER: Javanis Ross by Split Decision 29-28, 29-28, 28-29.

FRIDAY, May 29th, 2015, AT 8:50 PM/ PST

THIS WEEKENDS ISCF ACTION...

West Coast Fighting Championship Presents
"WFC 14"
Sacramento, California, USA

WHEN: Saturday, May 30th, 2015
WHO: West Coast Fighting Championship
WHERE: McClellan Conference Center, McClellan Park, 5411 Luce Avenue, Sacramento, California, USA
WHAT: PRO & AMATEUR MMA
ALL OFFICIALS APPOINTED BY THE CALIFORNIA STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION
Promoter: Mr. Branden Ware at info@westcoastfighting.com
ON THE WEB: www.WestCoastFighting.com

MORE ISCF ACTION THIS WEEKEND...

Florida Fight Foundation Presents
"CAGE WARS"
Starke, Florida, USA

WHEN: Saturday, May 30th, 2015
WHO: Florida Fight Foundation
WHERE: Bradford County Fairgrounds
2300 N. Temple Avenue, Starke, Florida, USA
WHAT: ISCF Amateur MMA
ISCF Event Representative: Connie Barden
ISCF Referee: Josh Rutgers
ISCF Judges: Jack Hodges, TBA & TBA
ISCF Timekeeper: Debbie Sutton
ISCF Ringside Physicians (MD) Dr. Kay
Locker Room Inspector: Amiele Gendive
PROMOTER: Mr. Jerry Coker At (904) 333-3183

FIGHT CARD AS OF Wednesday, May 27th, 2015, 4:27 PM / PST
1. ISCF Amateur MMA 160
  Nick Carlucci (8-2-1, 4-18-1882) VS Javanis Ross (7-4, 1-7-1995)
2. ISCF Amateur MMA 145
  David Miles (3-5, 4-13-94) VS Patrick Webley (1-3, 1-17-90)
3. ISCF Amateur MMA 160
  Jarred Forsyth (0-0, ISCF NEEDS DOB) VS Todd Boyd (0-0)
4. ISCF Amateur MMA 250
  Andrew Dancy (7-5, 12-30-1986) VS Ricky Tool (3-1, 1-6-1989)
5. ISCF Amateur MMA 190
  Hank Williams (2-2, 9-8-90) VS Devon Paulk (2-1, ISCF NEEDS DOB)
6. ISCF Amateur MMA 160
  Shawn Brawn (3-1, 12-9-85) VS Andrew Waycaster (2-0, 1-10-94)
7. ISCF Amateur MMA150
  Wallace Rivers (0-0- 7-29-85) VS TBA
8. ISCF Amateur MMA 205
  John Sandford (0-0 , 6-9-86) VS Dustin Marsh (0-0, 4-13-89)
9. ISCF Amateur MMA 140
  Elvin Serrano (ISCF NEEDS DOB) VS Anthony Sharp (0-0, 3-6-1990)
10. ISCF Amateur MMA 180
  Shane Waters (0-0, 1-14-94) VS Caleb Box (6-28-91)
11. ISCF Amateur MMA 137
  Kyle Seay (ISCF NEEDS DOB) VS TBA
12. IKF Amateur Kickboxing 135
  Cade Allen (8-2-98) VS TBA
13. IKF Amateur Kickboxing 150
  Jarred Elston (0-0, 9-14-83) VS Johnny Brag (0-4, 2-2-84)

TUESDAY, May 26th, 2015, AT 3:10 PM/ PST

Confusion Threatens Future of Amateur MMA in West Virginia
Combat Sports Industry May Resort to Legal Action

West Virginia Legislature invites ISCF , ISKA and WKA to Sanction Amateur MMA Events
By Mark Gomez

Now that the combat sports industry has overcome the unwarranted prejudice against amateur mixed martial arts in the Mountain State, and the new MMA laws will become effective June 12, 2015, it is a good time for a review:

West Virginia's laws pertaining to the combat sports are found in WV Code §29-5A-1, et seq. There are four (4) statutes that regulate amateur mixed martial arts, now known as the Amateur MMA Statutes. (I apologize for full statutes, but I feel you must see the full body of the law in order to understand it; to keep critics from arguing that I haven't showed the full story, and these are the laws that govern our sport. I have underlined the parts that pertain to Amateur MMA)

WV Code §29-5A-3a
Power to regulate mixed martial arts. (a) The commission has sole power, discretion, management and control over all professional and amateur mixed martial arts contests, matches and exhibitions, or any form thereof, to be promoted, conducted, held or given within the state.
§29-5A-3a(d) states the following:
"In exercising its jurisdiction over professional and amateur mixed martial arts contests, matches or exhibitions, the commission shall follow the current unified rules of mixed martial arts as adopted by the Association of Boxing Commissions to enable the proper equipment, fighting area and weight classes to ensure the safety of contestants and ensure the licensing of all participants, referees and judges, and the approval of contests, matches or exhibitions conducted under the provisions of this section."
§29-5A-19
Weight of Contestants states, "Weight classes as adopted by the Association of Boxing Commissions shall be utilized for all boxing and mixed martial arts contests conducted in this state.
§29-5A-24.
Rules governing contestants and matches.
- (a) The commission shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code.
- (b) The commission shall propose such rules to regulate professional and semiprofessional boxers, professional or amateur mixed martial artists, professional and semiprofessional boxing matches and exhibitions and professional or amateur mixed martial arts matches and exhibitions: Provided, That for professional boxers and boxing matches and exhibitions, the commission rules shall comply with the current unified rules of boxing as adopted by the Association of Boxing Commissions; for professional mixed martial artists and mixed martial arts matches and exhibitions, the commission rules shall comply with the current unified rules of mixed martial arts as adopted by the Association of Boxing Commissions; for amateur boxers and boxing matches or exhibitions, the commission rules shall comply with the amateur rules for boxing as adopted by the United States Amateur Boxing Authority; and for amateur mixed martial artists and mixed martial arts matches or exhibitions, the commission rules shall follow the current rules for the International Sport Combat Federation, the International Sport Karate Association, or the World Kickboxing Association at any given match or exhibition.

The Four Organizations Authorized by the Legislature

ABC
The Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) is a private organization. It is not a Federal or State Agency. The organization draws its membership from state and tribal combative sports in the U.S. and Canada. In 2000, Congress passed 15 U.S. Code §6301, et seq., "To improve and expand the system of safety precautions that protects the welfare of professional boxers; and to assist State boxing commissions to provide proper oversight for the professional boxing industry in the United States." The ABC gained notoriety and importance as 15 U.S. Code §6301(3) defined the term "boxer registry" as "entity certified by the Association of Boxing Commissions for the purpose of maintaining records and identification of boxers."

The ABC's Unified Rules for MMA may be found on their website at abcboxing.com.
Of special note, in said Unified Rules for MMA, "The Committee suggests that parties who hold training courses to educate current or prospective mixed martial arts judges and/or referees, submit their full course curriculum to this specific ABC Committee for our review and comment. Upon approval of a submitted course curriculum, this Committee will notify the ABC President as to which courses have been reviewed and approved. The ABC President can then list on its website or issue a press release noting that a course has been reviewed and endorsed by the ABC."

According to the ABC website,
"There are currently no formal national unified rules governing amateur MMA that have been endorsed and adopted by the Association of Boxing Commissions. There is not a national amateur mixed martial arts sanctioning organization with a federal charter, akin to USA Boxing."

ISCF
The International Sport Combat Federation (ISCF) "the First and Largest MMA Sanctioning body in the World.
According to the ISCF website, "It is Mandatory for you to use ONLY ISCF Certified Officials on your ISCF Sanctioned event. When organizing your events you may also want to schedule an ISCF Officials Certification Seminar for your Future Officials who are not ISCF Approved-Certified. This seminar can be conducted by a selected ISCF Representatives." An ISCF Referee Certification Seminar for referee costs $200 and judge's certification $100. The ISCF website is located at iscfmma.com.

ISKA
The International Sport Karate Association is one of the major international bodies regulating karate and kickboxing matches, and is based in the United States.
The website declares that the ISKA is "Global Leaders in the Sanctioning and Regulation of Martial Arts and Combat Sports Events since 1985 It was established in 1985 as a response to legal and revenue issues that sent the Professional Karate Association into decline. ISKA maintains a continued commitment to training and certifying officials and updating rules and regulations. ISKA's website is at iskaworldhq.com

WKA
The World Kickboxing Association is one of the oldest and the largest amateur and professional sanctioning organizations of kickboxing in the world for the sport. Its official name is "World Kickboxing and Karate Association, however the logo uses World Karate and Kickboxing Association" The WKA offers MMA "Officials Training and Seminars" that run from 9 am to 5:30 pm with a half hour for lunch. The cost is $55 in advance and $75 the day of the Seminar." The WKA's website is wkausa.com.

Industry Analysis:
Choice of Sanctioning Body
West Virginia licensed promoters now have three (3) statutorily specified (WV Code §29-5A-24) sanctioning bodies under which to conduct amateur mixed martial arts exhibitions, matches and promotions: (1) the International Sport Combat Federation, (2) the International Sport Karate Association and (3) the World Kickboxing Association.

The ABC Fails to Meet Statute's Requirements
It is well-known that the 2011 MMA Legislation allowed only professional MMA events to be held in West Virginia while amateur MMA remained forbidden. With the resignation of Chairman Commissioner Steve Allred, arguably the most vocal critic of mixed martial arts in the United States, (ADDED IN: Well known for saying, I don't like MMA. MMA is nothing more than gay porn to me,") suggestions to authorize and allow amateur mixed martial arts were well received by lawmakers during the 2015 Legislative Session. Wanting to show, without question, that they were authorizing amateur MMA, lawmakers inserted the phrase "and amateur" directly behind "professional" when amending the professional MMA statutes, to wit: §29-5A-3a; §29-5A-3a(d). In §29-5A-3a(d) lawmakers inserted "or amateur" behind professional.

The addition of "and amateur" in §29-5A-3a(d) invalidates this statute pertaining to amateur MMA. The statute reads as follows:

"In exercising its jurisdiction over professional and amateur mixed martial arts contests, matches or exhibitions, the commission shall follow the current unified rules of mixed martial arts as adopted by the Association of Boxing Commissions.

There are NO "current unified rules of mixed martial arts "for Amateur MMA" as adopted by the Association of Boxing Commissions." Without said adopted unified rules, the ABC fails to meet the West Virginia statutory standard.

The Folly of the Current Commission:
The State Athletic Commission, at their May 7, 2015 "monthly" meeting, voted to pay a South Carolina contractor, one of only nine (9) MMA trainers authorized to conduct training on behalf of the ABC, to hold an training seminar in Charleston, WV, in June, 2015. The purpose of said $3000 to $9000 expenditure is "to train ABC Certified MMA Officials."

ABC Certified MMA Officials are not needed as the ABC is not an authorized sanctioning body of amateur Mixed Martial Arts in West Virginia. Only (1) the International Sport Combat Federation, (2) the International Sport Karate Association and (3) the World Kickboxing Association, have training and certification curricula for referees, judges and other MMA fight officials authorized and required by West Virginia Statute.

The funding of an ABC officials' trainer appears to contradict the intent of the new legislation which is to follow the sport combat rules of the ISCF, ISKA and WKA. Further, it appears that if the State Athletic Commission proceeds with this course of action, the Commission will have to fund similar training seminars from these three (3) statutorily authorized sanctioning bodies. Not to do so will leave the Commission, and State of West Virginia taxpayers, liable for disparate treatment under the color of law and other Due Process/Civil Rights violations.

$47,000 to spend before June 30, 2015
At the April 24, 2015 "monthly meeting," Cabinet Secretary of the Lottery John C. Musgrave informed the newly sworn Chairman Commissioner Chase Hill, Secretary Commissioner Jim Frio, and Commissioner Doug Pauley that they "need to spend $47,000 before June 30, 2015 or the money would return to the general fund."

At the May 7, 2015 monthly meeting, the Commission unanimously voted to provide themselves with Apple iPads, portable printers, and other office equipment.

On December 27, 2014, Secretary John C. Musgrave and his attorney told members of the West Virginia Legislature that the State Athletic Commission needed an additional $250,000+ to properly fund the State Athletic Commission. Secretary Musgrave explained that legislatively increased officials fees would be used to fund this increase. Interestingly, the State Athletic Commission assigns fight officials and the licensed promoter pays the officials directly. Increased officials fees would never generate any revenue to justify the $250,000 increase from the legislature.

In May, 2015, licensed promoter Chris Smith made a Freedom of Information Act request to the State Athletic Commission for the Commission's budget reports, expense reports and other financial records. The Commission's official response was that they were unable to produce such records from their official files as they were absent and not present in the Commission's fifteen (15) cardboard box files.

In years past, the State Athletic Commission had no problem spending their State-allotted $55,000 to $70,000 of funds. This money was spent on unknown matters and things. It was not spent on fight official training seminars, fighter safety classes and clinics, or even Apple iPads and portable printers.

Industry Lobbying Recommendations

a) Industry leaders should voice their opposition to the expenditure of any Commission funds for ABC Officials Certification until this statutory conflict is resolved.
b) Industry leaders should encourage the Commission to immediately direct legal counsel, Assistant Attorney General L. Wayne Williams, to research the new amateur mixed martial arts statutes and render advice, counsel and official legal opinion to the Commission to avoid legal liability.
c) The correct interpretation of WV laws pertaining to amateur MMA is of the upmost importance to the combat sport industry. In the next several weeks, Commission members will be making recommendations for Legislative Rules to implement amateur MMA and Commissioners must thoroughly understand the new statutes.
d) In the event the Commission fails to immediately and satisfactorily respond to concerns presented by Industry leaders, said leaders should consult legal counsel regarding the filing of Declaratory Judgment Actions against the State Athletic Commission in the Kanawha Circuit Court to receive judicial guidance on these most important matters.
e) Industry leaders should contact national representatives of the ISKA, ISCF and WKA to request their assistance in these lobbying efforts.
f) Industry leaders should publically encourage newly appointed Commissioner Chase Hill to request an audit and accounting of the financial and expense records of the State Athletic Commission with the appropriate West Virginia State auditing authority so that the Commission may proceed free from accusations of fraud, waster and abuse of State funds.

Prepared by Mark Gomez
May 12, 2015
For Questions or Comments Mr. Gomez can be reached at:
WVlobbyist@gmail.com

Mark Gomez is a registered West Virginia lobbyist. He is a native of Charleston, West Virginia and a graduate of Wake Forest University and Wake Forest University School of Law. Mr. Gomez has promoted Rough N' Rowdy Brawl semi-professional boxing in Georgia and Alabama. Mr. Gomez is a fan the combat sports and has been a roady for A.C.R. Promotions, Inc. for many years.

FRIDAY, May 1st, 2015, AT 8:50 PM/ PST

THIS WEEKENDS ISCF ACTION...

Adrenalin Fight Nights Presents
"RISE AND FALL"
Neath, Wales

WHEN: Saturday, May 2nd, 2015
WHO: Adrenalin Fight Nights
WHERE: Britton Ferry Community Center, Neath, Wales
WHAT: IKF Kickboxing & ISCF MMA
IKF & ISCF Event Representative: Lee Beeston
IKF& ISCF Referee: Jon Cooper
IKF& ISCF Judges: Sarah Beeston, Chris Jones, Malcolm Martin
IKF& ISCF Timekeeper: Lisa Cooper
IKF& ISCF Ringside Physicians (MD) Dr. S K Mummeda
Ambulance Service: South Wales Paramedic Services
PROMOTER: Mr. James Wallis At 00447837630084

ISCF MMA
BRITISH
LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE BOUT
Rory Evans
(KGB Gym Wado Dragons Kickboxing - ISCF Welsh Champion)
VS
Shaun Luther
(England)

IKF KICKBOXING
K-1 RULES BRITISH
LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT TITLE BOUT
Sami Salem
(Impact Thai Boxing Club, Swansea)
VS
Liam Wells
(Romford, England, 13-2 - Amateur FCR World Champion)