The MMA Digest

the MMA digest had a chance to chat with editor of NewZealandMMA.com, Nyra Phillips.

How’d you get into the sport of MMA?
Oh, I got dragged into it.

Back in Hawaii, my mate Trev kept telling me I should watch MMA but I always said no because whatever it was he was talking about sounded like a blood sport, you know? And I’m not into glorifying violence, blah-blah-blah.

Then another good mate was leaving the island and it was his BIG wish for us all to go to a fight night. You can’t say no to a man’s ‘final wish’. So I went to be part of the crew and figured I’d hate it anyway, so who cares?

Well… we sat soooo far back that night; I couldn’t see enough of anything to hate it! I mean, the seats were terrible!

But I swear, it the best thing that could’ve happened because instead of bitching about the violence? I just sat back, relaxed… enjoyed the company, enjoyed my beer, and soaked up the energy around me.

There were thousands of people at the Blaisdell that night. The place was so much on FIRE I can still remember it – even now!

Which got me wondering what the big deal was, right?

So, after that, if I saw MMA on TV, I’d watch it. And if they talked about the fighters’ backgrounds and how they train, I’d listen. Then I start looking for info myself, until slowly, I started to get what it was all about. Now I’m the one who drags Trev off to fights instead.

What are your impressions of the MMA scene in New Zealand?
I think it’s still very new.

I mean, even though MMA’s been here for over a decade in one form or another, it’s only recently that promoters have started offering 100% MMA shows on a regular basis, with gyms starting to teach it as a complete skill rather than supplementing one martial art with another..

There’s no government legislation, no widely recognised sanctioning body. The major media outlets have a phobia against reporting it, in spite of a strong local boxing and kickboxing fan base. And SkyTV, our only cable provider, has started showing more MMA pay-per-views but it’s still a long way from being accepted by the mainstream.

I guess that’s cool, in a subculture-ish kind of way but not so cool if you’re a fighter trying to pay for training or a promoter who needs to fill seats and find paying sponsors.

Ironically, even though I think it’ll be some years before we catch up with international MMA trends, our women fighters tend to get more attention than the men, thanks largely to Princesses of Pain promoter, Belinda Dunne. She’s been developing an international female fight league here with Australasian, American and soon, Asian fighters and has been very clever in garnering media attention along the way.

So yeah, we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us before we catch up but obstacles also means opportunities, and with the talent we’ve got, it makes for an exciting time to be part of the sport here.

How did NewZealandMMA.com come about?
It started as an idea that went through a few stages first.

When I got back from overseas I tried to get a grasp of the local MMA scene but finding info online was very annoying. I mean, it was out there, but it was all over the place.

So, I had an idea that if one site consolidated everything – news, TV programming, events, directories, etc – it would be less frustrating for people to find out what’s going on and more easier to enjoy the sport.

Nothing concrete at that stage, just an idea.

Then I had a chance online meeting with web developers Darren Albert and Kerrie Bracey of www.HerveyBayPages.com who had the expertise to design my site. And because they also trained with at Integrated Martial Arts, Australia’s top MMA gym, with Tony Green, they also understood the sport and what I was aiming for, which was invaluable. So we started brainstorming.

Eventually, after a few months of ‘brainstorming’ my husband, Dave told me to stop dorking around finally convinced me to take the plunge. And I launched NewZealandMMA.com March 21^st this year.

You were previous living in Hawaii, what were your thoughts on the lively MMA scene there?
Oh man, Hawaii’s got it going on!

If you check out my gurus at www.Onzuka.com you’ll see there’s always something happening on the islands: fight nights, competitions, seminars, or like this past week, Hawaii’s first ever MMA Expo, held in conjunction with the Pacific Submission Grappling Tournament.

In the year since I left, I’m shocked at how much it has grown. There are heaps more gyms. Lots more fight nights both big like Elite XC (with UFC coming next year) and small. Heck, there are even four local MMA magazines now, in addition to what already comes out of the mainland!

It’s definitely a hotspot in terms of opportunities for fans to enjoy the sport and fighters to compete. And it’s only getting bigger.

But the best part for me? Is how much Hawaii loves its MMA.

They love the local fighters. Love the Japanese leagues like Dream. Crowds cheer when fighters stand and bang but they also cheer when it goes to the ground. And not just the men either. A big percentage of fans are women and they don’t just know how to look good – they talk mean shop, too!

It’s what makes Hawaii one of the most knowledgeable MMA audiences in the world. All that fuel around them.

I think as our Pacific neighbors, it’s a fantastic opportunity for New Zealand MMA to hook up with a strong international location, that’s got a ton of pportunities and as much love for Aotearoa as we have for the islands.

What have you learned from being involved in the sport?
“If you’re truly passionate about something then it’s worth doing” – I got told that one at one of the first NZ MMA events I ever attended and have remembered it every day since.

Which fighter that you met impressed you the most?
Ha haaaa – BJ Penn, of course!

Some people think he’s too arrogant. They don’t like the way he messes with his opponent’s head before a fight, but it’s all part of his game.

Outside of the cage? He’s awesome.

Proud of where he comes from. Proud to be Hawaiian. Big sense of family and giving back to the community. Spends as much time as fans need to get photos and autographs. It’s a very different persona.

The best thing though, is when he’s cornering his fighters. Sometimes he gets so excited that he stands up and then the people behind him can’t see. I’ve seen some of them come up to him in the middle of the fight, tap him on the shoulder, and tell him to sit down. He always apologizes and quickly does sit down but if it’s a close fight, he’s back up there again… getting another shoulder tap!

Hey, here’s one for The MMA Digest…

Question: In the Hawaii State Capital, what is House Resolution 312 (HR312)?

Answer: It’s the Hawaii State Capitol House Resolution approved and passed in March 2008 “Congratulating BJ Penn the current Lightweight Ultimate Fighting Champion on his successful martial arts career”.

Very cool!