"The greater the loyalty of a group toward the group, the greater is the motivation among the members to achieve the goals of the group,
and the greater the probability that the group will achieve its goals.
Rensis Likert

TUESDAY, October 25th, 2011, AT 5:25 PM/ PST

THE BEST
AMATEUR MMA EVENT IN THE
USA!
Ultimate Reno Combat Sets The Standard As THE BEST AMATEUR MMA Event Across The USA To Attend!

Some say that Las Vegas is the "King" of Fight Events and more so, the "King of MMA!" However, the truth is, you could put together a disorganized mess of an event in Vegas and fighters will want to fight on it, officials will want to work it and fans will want to sit cage side at it. More so than any other place in the world. Simply because of 1 word... "VEGAS!" The ISCF sanctions hundreds of MMA events a year, not only around the country, but around the world, so we should have a pretty good take on what events get the "Gold Star!" There are great events we and other organizations regulate all over the world, however, there is one event that from top to bottom, left to right is "Hands Down" The BEST Amateur MMA Event in the USA!

"Ultimate Reno Combat!"

Our notice of this is NOT just among shows regulated by the ISCF, but shows regulated/sanctioned by ANY and ALL sanctioning bodies nationwide!

Find it hard to believe?
Well, we wanted a fair assessment of our thoughts so we had fans, fighters and officials attend several amateur MMA events around the USA this past year, then attend one of the Ultimate Reno Combat ( URC ) shows... The results were not even close, URC won by Knockout, hands down! Stop the presses, put a fork in it, whatever, but move over Vegas and welcome the TRUE KING of Amateur MMA in the USA... Ultimate Reno Combat!

Our finding that URC is "THE BEST" was not based on the fact that we as the ISCF regulate/sanction the event. URC's dynamic event presentation goes far beyond what we as a regulatory body can offer an event. Sure it doesn't hurt to have UFC and Strikeforce veteran Referees Dan Stell and Kim Winslow in the cage with the fighters, and it doesn't hurt having the number 1 MMA regulatory/sanctioning body in the world working with you. However, the aspects of organization, dependability and persistence have driven URC's founder Rick Collup (Left) and his dynamic promotional team to only get better and better with every event. Never mind his Reno, Nevada competition which don't hold a candle to what URC puts together for the fighters to the fight fans! After "28" events, URC has went above and beyond just being normal promoters and made sure all regulatory issues in regards to fighter safety are not just suggestions, but mandatory rules and regulations with them.

"Amateurs don't get paid!" Says ISCF President Steve Fossum. "We were asked to regulate/sanction other events in Reno, but once we found out what they were doing and had done on past events on places like Indian Reservations, we stepped away. Having pros fight as amateurs, paying amateur fighters to fight and not to mention, coming to URC's events and actually cornering fighters without their trainers and flat out telling them, 'We will do more for you than Rick's doing and pay you too so come fight for us'. It didn't take a brain surgeon to see that what some other promotions were doing was unethical."

Addressed in Detail: There has been discussion of various Nevada promoters and sanctioning bodies as well as promoters and other sanctioning bodies across the Nation who have been brought up in regulatory discussions for their lack of regulating various "Amateur" rules and regulations. Such violations include: Not requiring fighter blood work, not confirming fighter's bloodwork is up to date, not requiring prior event complete physicals (Different than a pre-fight phthisical), not issuing medical suspension paperwork to fighter's who are stopped by KO/TKO, not reporting medical suspensions on any news/results page for public view, not overseeing matchmaking to avoid lopsided matchmaking, and not to mention the fact that some promoters actual Pay Amateur Fighters to fight as an incentive to fight on their events and not their competitions. Of course not ALL Promoters and Sanctioning bodies allow such negligence and some times the negligence varies from promotion to promotion. However, we suggest to any trainer and fighter to question the promoter and or the sanctioning body (If One) regulating the event you are about to be involved with about their regulatory procedures, practices and requirements. They may not seem like a big thing before a fight, but if your ever related to one, you will appreciate why there are rules and regulations in the first place.
NOTE: Some state athletic & boxing commissions do not require or make mandatory certain rules and regulations. However, nearly every rule and regulation listed above should always be mandatory on the Amateur level.

Fossum's not alone on his thoughts. Even other MMA Officials are able to tell the difference in event presentation from working for various sanctioning bodies in Nevada and other states. URC is such a sought after event that members of the California State Athletic Commission have asked the ISCF if they could work the event and several have. After URC's 28th event this past weekend, they can stand proud and alone as the "Ultimate" Amateur MMA Event! Heck, this event even puts a lot of PRO MMA Events to Shame!

With all the negative issues with the appointed organization in California, more and more fighters are looking to fight out of state, and Reno is a perfect location for northern California amateur mma fighters. Especially when you compare the financial issues, let alone the majority of poorly trained officials the appointed Amateur MMA sanctioning body in California uses on their events. All registered ISCF Fighters go into a Ranking System, which is the ONLY Amateur, as well as PRO MMA, Ranking System in the world. However it's not just the fighters trying to do MMA outside of California. California Amateur MMA Promoters wish they could be regulated like amateur mma is in Nevada.

Regardless of California's set backs, Collup and his promotional staff make each and every fighter feel like they have "ARRIVED" on the "ULTIMATE" stage! Although Amateur fighters, each and every one is respected as any pro fighter would be. All fighters are required to have bloodwork done, fight physicals and each are given fight gloves for the event, unlike other promotions where fighters wear as little as 4 ounce Pro Fight Gloves as amateurs. This way each fighter is on a level base as far as equipment is concerned. Along with the ISCF officials staff, Inspectors from the Nevada State Athletic Commission help out as locker room inspectors and fighter escorts. Medical staff has never been short on any URC event. Along with an on site ambulance of course, no less than 3 doctors are in attendance at every URC event and sometimes 4-5. Unlike other sanctioning bodies, the ISCF coordinates with the Medical Doctors to issue fighter medical suspensions in the case of injuries from cuts to knockouts.

For Friday night shows, the ISCF holds the weigh-ins from 9:30 AM to noon. However because the process is so organized with URC's fight coordinator Aaron Wright working with the Medical Staff and the ISCF, weigh-ins are usually fully completed as early as 10:30 or 11 AM. The only thing that ever delays the weigh-in process is an occasional fighter who may need to lose weight. However due to Wright's pre event contact with the fight trainers, we have only seen about 5-7 fighters not make weight in the past 28 URC events. This is an outstanding accomplishment which can only be contributed to constant contact between Wright and the fight camps... Something all promoters and matchmakers should take note of...

So what else makes a great event? Start with a venue that is second to none, the Grand Sierra Resort! (GSR) although most fight camps choose to drive to Reno, some happen to fly in, and doing so couldn't be easier. GSR is located right next to the Reno Tahoe International Airport and they offer a free airport shuttle for guests arriving and departing from there.

So where are the fights?
None other than the Grand Theatre, which is the venue for the URC events. Large enough to hold an airplane the Grand Theatre holds the world's largest stage with amazing acoustics and plush seating making it the grandest of fight venues for any fight fan. There is no shortage of space or accommodations in the locker rooms either. Complete with everything from mirrors to showers, no fighter is cramped for space while awaiting his or her moment to take the stage. URC's 6 sided cage is professionally lit and every event is filmed for production. Two large video screens stage left and right provide every fight fan with a close-up view of any action they can't see from their plush seats.

But GSR offers much more than a fight venue.
For both fighter's and fans, it's a great vacation destination as well. With the fights on Friday nights, it leaves those attending the entire weekend to enjoy the Reno/Tahoe region. However, you may never make it out of the hotel because GSR is a city within a city. It's a given that it offers a world-class casino but this resort itself offers plenty of activities for all. Activities such as a 50 lane bowling alley, a Reno theater cinema multiplex, 40,000-square foot Reno video game arcade/parlor, game/simulator, rides and laser tag arcade, shopping, indoor golf and more. Step just outside GSR's front door to their own Ultimate Rush Thrill Park. There you will find thrill rides that combine sky diving, bungee jumping and hang-gliding and also the Sling Shot where passengers experience 4 Gs as they are hurled into space at over 70 mph! add to all this along with 3 go cart tracks, mini golf, driving range, and of course, a pool for everyone that includes a beach sand area, hot tub, heated pool, volleyball courts and even private cabanas.

Getting hungry?
No need to travel far. From the The Lodge buffet, 24 hour coffee shop, Round Table Pizza and Johnny Rockets, 2nd Street Express, Starbucks Coffee and Port of Subs there is always a place to eat. Want a step up? They have you covered there too. From the always great Charlie Palmer Steak House, the Rim which features specialties from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam and also an all you can eat sushi bar. And finally, Briscola, a modern Italian restaurant by Charlie Palmer. Looking for the after party? You don't have to go far as GSR has plenty of places to gather that include, The Beach at Grand Sierra, Xtreme Sports Bar and Lounge, 2500 East, Mustangs, The Reserve, Crystal Bar and the Escalator Bar.

The Lake Tahoe - Reno region is a number 1 location for vacations!
If you happen to attend one of URC's winter events, there is no substitute for the winters in the region. From skiing to snowboarding the region offers some of the best ski resorts in the country. Coming up in the spring and summer time? It's hard to find more to do than here, from general sightseeing, hiking, camping, etc. etc. this reason has "Vacation" attached to it. So don't just come for the fights, make it a weekend. If the Nevada State Athletic Commission would allow "Tournament Style" fights, the ISCF MMA World Classic Amateur Tournament would have been here long ago, as well as the IKF Kickboxing World Classic Amateur Tournament.

So you question our selection?
Feel free to do so. However, before you confirm or deny our claim, we dare you to make a trip to the next URC event, URC "29" which is coming December 9th, at of course, the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno Nevada.

So much for the hype, here's the results from yet another dynamic Amateur MMA event, Ultimate Reno Combat 28! If you missed it, you missed yet ANOTHER GREAT EVENT!

SEE YOU AT THE NEXT ULTIMATE RENO COMBAT!"