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In Concede MMA's follow-up interview with Kage Concepts, company CEO Clay Goodman discusses what should be done regarding controversial judging and what he loves about his business.
Concede MMA: What do you think will have to be done about controversial judging?
Clay Goodman: Education. The more these judges get out (and judge) and more seminars, that get these judges on the same page. I'm not 100% sold on a 10-point must system for MMA, but we need to embrace it and we need to perfect that system. I have a relationship with Cory Schafer (International Sport Karate Association president). Corey and Doc Hamilton are working on a half point system; it is a good system, I believe there is a better formula for judging MMA fights. But right now like I said we have a 10-point, I think all the judges that sit there right in that chair, should fully know and understand the judging criteria and be able to process it in their head.
What I see too much, on the smaller shows especially, people hire their friends and they don't know what the judging criteria is, and that's not fair to the athletes. I think education is the number one thing (to reduce controversial judging). That's what we do with my guys, we believe in education, they do several seminars… if they're not judging they're shadowing, and if they're not working, we talk about the fights on the trip home. That's why Kage Concepts, have some the best judges in the industry, that's what we do, we believe in education and continued education.
Concede MMA: What do you love about it?
Clay Goodman: The sportsmanship of these athletes and the friendships that I've made. MMA has grown and people are really seeing that this is an actual sport, and see these guys are 100% athletes. I think, the most well conditioned athletes in any sport in the world. And the friendships, I've made friends for life whether this business quits tomorrow or lasts for the next 20 years. It's one of the best sports and I'm blessed to be a part of it.
Concede MMA: What are your plans for the future? And will you be setting up your own MMA organization for fighters?
Clay Goodman: At this point, I'm not really interested in setting up another organization. My goal is to set up three cages and be able to keep three crews busy. One thing we do is we bring new guys in and we educate them in the sport. I'd like to be the largest cage rental company in the United States. I'd like to branch out, outside of the Midwest, and I'd love to be a part of bigger shows and continue to grow. We've come from one cage and two promoters (and now) we're on track to do 80 shows this year. We're looking to grow from there and you know when you call Kage Concepts you can expect 100% quality and that's one thing we strive to do because we want to be the biggest and the best.
Concede MMA: Is there anything you'd like to add?
Clay Goodman: You know, there are many companies that buy cages, with guys that have cages in a little bitty trailer, and what do you get? You get crappy service and a crappy cage. Quality is the number one thing, our tagline is, “often imitated never duplicated”. I don't believe there is anybody out there that can offer what Kage Concepts offers not even close.
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