Upstart promotion, Impact FC has failed to pay the fighters on its first two cards
It has been revealed that Impact Fighting Championships – the newcomer to the world of mixed martial arts promotions that recently held its first two events in Australia – is in serious hot water, as reports suggest that it has not yet paid the majority of its fighters.
CagePotato.com has exclusively revealed that the promotion, which is controlled by promoters Andrew McManus (also the financial backer of the company) and Tom Huggins, has failed to pay a penny to a lot of the fighters who took part in their shows with more fighters claiming to have received 75% of the agreed fee but no more. Although the situation was originally brought to light by a fighter who wished to remain anonymous, Cagepotato.com was able to get confirmation from a further dozen or so fighters including Karo Parisyan, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Jesse Taylor.
To make matters worse, it appears as though neither promoter is willing to take responsibility for the issue. The proposed financial backer Andrew McManus – who also owns and Australian-based concert promotion company – made the following condemning statement regarding Tom Huggins in an email to Cagepotato.com.
“[Tom] Huggins has run back to Brazil and is uncontactable, whilst I (who never negotiated, contracted or was a party to any deal) have now been left trying to find funds to pay the men whilst all the false promises of sponsorships (never happened) and late gate sales and walk up all turned out to be lies.”
Huggins, who in his sixteen years in mixed martial arts promotions has managed some notable fighters and been involved in the likes of Bitetti Combat in Brazil, responded to that statement with an email of his own, saying:
“That statement is categorically untrue. I can provide you with the agreement between Andrew and myself, which clearly demonstrates that my responsibility was to procure fighters and make matches for the event within a given budget. The agreement clearly shows that ALL of the financing for the events, including fighter purses, was the responsibility of McManus. That being said, I feel that at the end of the day McManus being the professional that he is will fulfill his obligations and that the fighters will be paid.”
McManus also fired back, claiming that Huggins is unresponsive to his attempts at making contact.
“You are one of the few people who has been able to get Huggins to respond whilst he hides in his Brazilian province. The fact is that Tom Huggins is a 50% shareholder in Impact MMA (Aud) LLC with his shares held in his name.(This can be, if necessary, proven and identified). A joint venture agreement with terms not accepted or agreed to was created by Huggins yet has NEVER and will NEVER be signed or agreed to. His failure to deliver on all parts of the failed venture should give him a conscience whilst me or my company has never been involved with the port of cage fighting previously and went ahead under promises and guarantees of delivery by Huggins.”
The promotions financial situation would not have been helped if rumours are true that the UFC contacted several sponsors due to appear at the Impact FC shows and warned them they would be banned from Zuffa-affiliated events in the future if they sponsored the shows. In any case, it is unlikely that Impact FC will be going ahead with their proposed show in September or October. Stay tuned to MMABay in the days to come for more news on this situation as it breaks.
By Steve Davies
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