Komikazee MMA caught up with IFL Commissioner and Co-founder, Kurt Otto, at today’s press conference for the IFL semi-finals, which will be held on Thursday, August 2, 2007 at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
We asked Kurt Otto about the impact of injuries on the teams, how alternate fighters are found, and about plans for implementing an in-house drug testing policy in the IFL.
HUDSONMMA: Injuries have really affected both the playoff picture and the Grand Prix. Do you think that’s going to be a flaw in the team concept and is there anything that can be done to address that?
OTTO: Well actually it’s just the opposite. Injuries really haven’t played that much of a role considering how many times we fought and how many athletes we have under contract. And fortunately, because of the team concept, we have alternates and the show can go on. These guys are training with the teams already. So it just goes to show you that we have the width and depth of talent that we can pull from in that scenario, that somebody does get injured. But when you look at the amount of fights that our guys are fighting and the number of cities that we’re fighting in, it’s relatively a very small percentage.
HM: What’s the process for bringing in an alternate? Do they have to be declared at the beginning of the season? How does that work?
OTTO: They are declared at the beginning of the season. But again, sometimes starters or alternates are brought in during the season because we want to keep the doors open. Because you never know what’s going to walk in the door. You never know if you’re going to have a diamond in the rough that you can produce into a champion. So we try to keep an open mind and try to allow the coaches to have the flexibility to develop their teams into the best team they can.
HM: I wanted to ask you a couple of questions about the drug testing program you plan to start?
OTTO: Right.
HM: Will you be testing for recreational drugs, as well as steroids?
OTTO: Absolutely. When we say drug testing we mean several different types of drugs across the board, not just steroids.
HM: And your fighters are on salary, they are not getting paid per fight. So are there going to be financial penalties assessed? How will that work?
OTTO: Well first of all they are paid monthly stipends, plus they are paid show and win money and bonuses that night, so it’s a combination of four different ways to get paid.
HM: And will there be financial penalties?
OTTO: Absolutely.
HM: And suspensions from fighting?
OTTO: Absolutely. Yes.
HM: Why not just run shows only in states where athletic commissions regulate MMA and just let them do the testing?
OTTO: Because then we’re limiting our exposure around the United States, and around the world. So if we pick up the slack when the states won’t do it, and we do it, then we’ve closed the gap.
HM: And will the test results be made public?
OTTO: Absolutely. Yeah, I mean, obviously if somebody tests positive we’re going to let everybody know.
HM: You’ve mentioned wanting to work with other organizations on a codified drug [testing] policy.
OTTO: Yeah, well, first because we have a very unique format, as far as our organization’s concerned. We have to develop a drug testing policy that works for us because we’re kind of a unique animal altogether. And then we would be willing to share our thoughts and our ideas with other organizations, and if they can pick and choose and pull from our information to help them, and if I see something from another organization that I like, I’ll implement that into ours. But I think ultimately everybody’s got to get their heads on together and work together. And at the end of the day it should be a universal testing process that works for everybody.
HM: And one last question. How widespread a problem do you think steroid use is in MMA, at this point?
OTTO: Honestly, my gut is telling me that it’s not as crazy as people think it is. I think we just happen to be hitting a high point, where…Fortunately our organization hasn’t been hit with that problem yet. Stuff happens and I’m not saying that we’re not going to, I mean, anything’s possible. I just think, it’s like, you know, somebody gets hits by a car then they put a stop sign up. I think it’s that kind of a situation. I think that there is an issue and I think that we’re going to try to nip it in the bud, as far as the industry is concerned, before it gets out of control. Fortunately in our organization we have a little bit of a different accountability and a compensation package that has a different type of pressure on our athletes and hopefully they don’t steer in that direction.