Mixed Striking Championship (MSC) is a new promotion that was started by Wayne Bermudez. The rules allow for punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. The difference comes in the gloves that are worn by the competitors. The Evo glove resembles an MMA glove, however, unlike MMA gloves which are 4 oz these are 8 or 10 oz and cover the fingers. With their second event coming up this weekend we had a chance to catch up with Wayne and talk to him about MSC.
MTA: Wayne your second MSC event is coming up. How is it that you came up with the idea for the MSC concept?
Wayne: The reason I came up with the idea of Mixed Striking Arts Combat sport and the MSC promotion is because I come from a traditional Martial Arts background and throughout the years I've seen it push into insecurity by MMA and its counterparts. In 2011, I was play fighting with my 5-year-old son and at the time the idea hit me because of something he said, so I began to write down ideas, rules and got to work. I knew it had to be something special, something with its own identity, something that would change the striking game forever!
MTA: The glove resembles the MMA glove but it curves and covers the fingers. How long did it take to develop the glove?
 |
| Wayne Bermudez |
Wayne: The Evo gloves resemble the MMA glove because I didn't want to stray too far away from what fans are used to seeing now a days, but everyone who puts on the Evo gloves can notice the difference instantly. Between the dynamics, the compact feel and the curvature of the Evo glove it gives the Evo glove that boxing glove looping feel. It took me about a year of trial and error to design and manufacture the Evo gloves and another two years to get it awarded a patent.
MTA: Do you think any particular martial art has an advantage, maybe Muay Thai fighters as it might be easier to initiate and control the clinch?
Wayne: It's too early to tell at this point, but I believe boxers stand one of the better chances in MSA because if they can cut the distance and get away from the long-range weapons then they will succeed because they are the masters at dirty boxing and they can pick most styles apart once they are in the inside. In MSC 1 we had a brawler-style boxer fight a Muay Thai fighter and the brawler was able to stop the Muay Thai fighter's game plan in the later rounds when he let his hands go. We also had another fighter who changed his fighting stand throughout his fight from boxing to karate and was able to overwhelm Muay Lao fighter and won via TKO.
MTA: Why should fights fans be excited to watch MSC?
Wayne: Fans should be excited to watch MSC because it's not one sided fights it's not Muay Thai Vs Muay Thai or Boxing Vs Boxing it's Mixed Striking Arts™ (MSA) Boxing Vs Muay Thai Vs Taekwondo Vs Shotokan Vs Kickboxing and so on! Using the small compact official MSA Evo gloves.
MTA: What has been the feedback you have received?
Wayne: The feedback has been amazing. This isn't just going to be the evolution of striking, but it's something special that gives a professional out to the traditional styles that have faded away because of MMA and its counterparts. For example, a Taekwondo practitioner goes all the way to the Olympics wins a medal and what does he do next? He/She will probably open a school somewhere and compete for some trophies, but now that same person can compete as a Professional and get paid as a pro. Not only that, but he/she can evolve and adapt to the MSC ring by using their world-class kicks and combining it with the powerful Muay Thai kicks and the hands of a boxer, but even though each fighter is forging their own style, they're still keeping their base.
MTA: Are there any plans on getting some of the bigger names in the striking martial arts like Muay Thai or Kickboxing involved with this promotion, at least on the American level?
Wayne: We have talked about going after some bigger names and talent like Kevin Ross or Raymond Daniels but we are also looking at some pro boxers. Right now we are very focused on building and branding our own striking elite.
MTA: How many shows a year can we expect from MSC?
Wayne: You can expect three to four shows a year from us.
MTA: Any words for current or future fans of MSC?
Wayne: MSC promotes live mixed striking arts, a sport that takes all striking disciplines and pins them together not only for the evolution of striking but it's the most exciting part of a fight. It has all different types of styles, not just what we see now. It's the evolution of striking - No Tap Outs Just Knock outs!
No comments:
Post a Comment