Bobish: 'I’m not a promoter; I’m a fighter who promotes fights'
Dec 28, 2010
(PRESS RELEASE) -- When he realized three years ago that his career
as an active fighter was over due to a recurring back injury, mixed
martial arts pioneer Dan “The Bull” Bobish knew that his era in the
sport was just beginning.
A former world champion, Bobish had a successful career in the sport, traveling to Brazil and Japan while also competing in the UFC. He faced legends like Kevin Randleman, Mark Kerr, Eric Pele, Gary Goodridge, Igor Vovchanchyn, Mark Hunt, and Aleksander Emelianenko, and his status as one of Ohio’s first MMA stars is firmly cemented.
Bobish also reigns as a legend in one of Ohio’s favorite sports –
wrestling. He wrestled at Mount Union College and was the 1992 NCAA
Division III heavyweight champion, and then became the first mixed
martial artist from Cleveland when he traveled to Brazil to compete
in Universal Vale Tudo 4 before competing at UFC 14.
Instead of training to fight after the end of his career, Bobish decided to stay near his hometown of Cleveland to help advance the sport under what is already one of the most progressive athletic commissions.
“I’m not a promoter, I’m a fighter who promotes fights,” Bobish said. “I care about these fighters because I’ve been there.”
“My goal as a promoter is to put on top-rated shows that will be recognized nationally soon. I fought for 12 years as a pro traveling the world and I saw tons of different promotions – the ones I like I just try to do what they did. I’m just trying to put together a show that guys will respect.”
A super heavyweight who began his career as a “no holds barred” fighter in the sport’s infancy in 1996, Bobish has seen the growth in popularity that mixed martial arts has experienced. He also sees that with more money in the sport than ever before, there will be some fly-by-night inhabitants who want to get their piece.
“I’m putting together a show where I take care of my fighters. I’ve never met a promoter who didn’t lie to me. I’m honest with all of my fighters and pay as well as I can,” Bobish said.
So with promoters making news astonishingly often by not paying fighters and skipping out on shows, Bobish created “Ultimate Cage Battles” in 2010, with a goal of helping fighters in Ohio and nearby states find a path to where they want to be.
“The Bull” promoted three events in 2010, each one more successful than the last. Rising stars like Brian Rogers, Joe Heiland, and Steve Cotterman have graced Bobish’s cage, and there are sure to be plenty more in the future.
The 2011 slate for UCB begins with “Pride & Glory,” a pro-am show in Northeast Ohio that will feature UFC veteran Forrest Petz and former NFL running back Herbert “Whisper” Goodman squaring off in the main event. Former University of Akron strength and conditioning coach Brian Rogers will take on submission specialist Steve Cotterman, and more local products are lining up for a shot on the card.
A former world champion, Bobish had a successful career in the sport, traveling to Brazil and Japan while also competing in the UFC. He faced legends like Kevin Randleman, Mark Kerr, Eric Pele, Gary Goodridge, Igor Vovchanchyn, Mark Hunt, and Aleksander Emelianenko, and his status as one of Ohio’s first MMA stars is firmly cemented.
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Instead of training to fight after the end of his career, Bobish decided to stay near his hometown of Cleveland to help advance the sport under what is already one of the most progressive athletic commissions.
The 40-year-old, who never saw a judge’s decision in 26
professional fights, decided to become a promoter. With that came
the stigma of shady local promoters, but Bobish wasn’t about to
fall into that category.
“I’m not a promoter, I’m a fighter who promotes fights,” Bobish said. “I care about these fighters because I’ve been there.”
“My goal as a promoter is to put on top-rated shows that will be recognized nationally soon. I fought for 12 years as a pro traveling the world and I saw tons of different promotions – the ones I like I just try to do what they did. I’m just trying to put together a show that guys will respect.”
A super heavyweight who began his career as a “no holds barred” fighter in the sport’s infancy in 1996, Bobish has seen the growth in popularity that mixed martial arts has experienced. He also sees that with more money in the sport than ever before, there will be some fly-by-night inhabitants who want to get their piece.
“I’m putting together a show where I take care of my fighters. I’ve never met a promoter who didn’t lie to me. I’m honest with all of my fighters and pay as well as I can,” Bobish said.
So with promoters making news astonishingly often by not paying fighters and skipping out on shows, Bobish created “Ultimate Cage Battles” in 2010, with a goal of helping fighters in Ohio and nearby states find a path to where they want to be.
“The Bull” promoted three events in 2010, each one more successful than the last. Rising stars like Brian Rogers, Joe Heiland, and Steve Cotterman have graced Bobish’s cage, and there are sure to be plenty more in the future.
The 2011 slate for UCB begins with “Pride & Glory,” a pro-am show in Northeast Ohio that will feature UFC veteran Forrest Petz and former NFL running back Herbert “Whisper” Goodman squaring off in the main event. Former University of Akron strength and conditioning coach Brian Rogers will take on submission specialist Steve Cotterman, and more local products are lining up for a shot on the card.
