Mixed martial arts - it's going to be the next big thing in Florida. At least that's what John Korponay is banking on, and it's hard not to believe him as he talks.
Words pour from the fresh-faced fight promoter as he details his leap into the world of mixed martial arts - a sport where fighters from a wide range of styles, including kick-boxing, wrestling, Muay Thai and Brazilian Ju-Jitsu - come together in a phenomenon that's making tracks through a wide audience.
Korponay, a Sarasota resident with a degree in economics and finance from the University of Central Florida, saw an untapped well of opportunity in bringing this growing sport to local fans.
"I worked up my courage and made the first phone call," the 26-year-old fight fan says. He took a semester off from working on his master's degree and used two years' worth of savings to get going.
" I told myself I was going to do it, and I did," he says with a trace of wonder. "Everybody realizes the potential of this sport, it's going to hit big. Like NASCAR, everyone wants a piece of the pie."
His first event was a Cage Supremacy league night at Sarasota's Robarts Arena. The evening featured 18 fighters who went five-minute rounds in front of wildly enthusiastic fans.
The date of Korponay's first foray into the world of professional fight promotions, which was selected months earlier, seemed to be ill-chosen. He competed with a pay-per-view event featuring Ultimate Fighting Championship superstar Chuck Liddell.
"Oh wow, I almost hit the floor," he recalls. But it was too late to change the date; the hall was rented. "I'm so glad I did it, though - almost 2,000 people showed up."
Security personnel strolled in the arena and made sure the event stayed safe for the fans.
"I didn't know what to expect, and I won't tolerate brawling - it gives the sport a bad name," says Korponay. "These fighters aren't backyard brawlers; this is a legitimate business."
It's a business that draws participants from a broad spectrum, says local trainer Mike Hollobaugh.
"Anybody and everybody willing to learn can do this," he said.
Since 1975, Hollobaugh has watched his students fight in amateur and professional events. He predicts that the recent sanctioning by the Florida Athletic Commission for amateur mixed martial arts will prove a boon to local fighters.
"New fighters used to turn pro too early in the game, they had no outlet or opportunity to build up a record," Hollobaugh said. "Florida has a lot of good fighters, now we're going to see a lot of champs coming from Florida.
"Mixed martial arts in the 1970s was perceived as too brutal; there weren't any rules," he added. "Finally, the sport is coming of age."
Korponay agrees with the commission's recent sanctioning.
"This is going to have a drastic effect," he says. "When I heard, I couldn't get the smile off my face.
"I take good care of the fighters, they make good money - up to $5,000 to just show up. That's my main mission, to take care of the fighters," says Korponay.
He is working on bringing another mixed martial arts event to the area in coming weeks. Asked when and where, he plays it close: "It's a surprise. It's going to be really great."
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