Indian MMA: Ratul Mukherjee talks BOOM MMA, Recent controversies, his nickname and more
BOOM IPFL chief Ratul Mukherjee was recently interviewed by Pro MMA Now. During the interview, Ratul talked about a string of topic including BOOM MMA, the recent controversies, how he got his nickname and much more.
You can read some highlights from the interview below:
On BOOM MMA:
Being the President of Boom IPFL I was also one of the fighters in the underground fight card of the very first event of BOOM 1. Our vision from the day BOOM started was to provide a common platform for all the fighters wanting to try MMA and spread the beauty of MMA in every lanes and corners of India, specifically Kolkata.
The biggest achievement of mine is taking BOOM from the ghetto of Topsia (the most negative area of Kolkata) to making it one of the mainstream promotions of India. Among my other achievements is that I have received emails from UFC regarding India vs. China (TUF Series). The long term goal of Boom IPFL is to be the part of UFC Fight Pass and giving our desi [local] MMA fighters to fight in USA and pay them in dollars.
How he got his nickname:
I have been officially declared the Dana White of Kolkata by my haters in order to troll me, but I have snatched away their glory by gratefully accepting that title and if that makes me anasshole then so be it.
Recent controversies:
Fighters don’t get well treatment!! If you go to the history of fight business you can [apply] this statement there also!! What kind of treatment fighters want?? Star hotels, travel by flights, huge pay cheques and lots of attention right; we are ready to this if they bring us something on the table. I don’t want 0-0 record fighters or their managers to put terms and conditions as simple as that. I am giving them an opportunity to fight on a platform via which they will have their name and records registered in Sherdog, I am giving them a platform to do it. Now what more they can expect from us. I am not going to bear their expenses unless I see that they worth their salt. Nowadays every single fighter thinks that they are Conor McGregor and they need all those dream things so me as a promoter do think like Dana White. Now, we have started with a league known as BOOM Indian Premier Fighting League which is an eight-man elimination tournament in a single night of particular weight and the winner takes it all. So, isn’t it good and where we are giving them the chance. We have paid over 1.5 lacs, including 50K prize for the elimination fights champion, as total fighter fees in our last event and we covered the entire expenses of those fighters who deserve to have those treatments. As the President of BOOM IPFL I can give them a life which [they] love, career which they want to live, but yes as I said they have to [be] worth their salt.
Well I do want the growth of the fighters. If they grow they will sell and the house will be packed. So from the business point of view growth of an MMA fighter is a necessity but that doesn’t mean we will tolerate their tantrums.
Apart from the interview, Ratul also posted a long open letter on Facebook where he noted the hardships that promoters go through when putting together an event. You can read what he wrote below:
After a long wait and hearing all the fusses that all time mma fighters get mistreated by the promoters. Every so called Fighters need to be well treated by the promotion or the promoters.
Now here is my take - Being my self as a promoter I want to share what's really goes on. Look, we have to invest lots of money to organise, promote,market an event. Lots of headache is involved. We all know the condition of MMA industry in India, so we have to cut out through those condition and after dealing with those problems we promote events specifically in Kolkata. Now after all those Bullshits do we have the patience to agree with the conditions of those fighters and my answer is no never !! Today each and every one in India is a MMA fighter and every one wants to fight in BOOM MMA - Indian Premier Fighting League as one of active promotion and they think that we promoter will agree to their tantrums!! That's funny !!
Yes, a fighter has to give their blood sweat and time to training so does the same by the promoters. We invest, we take the losses, we face the odds to organize and promote an event, once date are declared there is no turning back, every time we have to calculate the risk factors and then a successful event take place.
Now, after those things and giving an opportunity to those fighters to make their name we can't take their tantrums as simple as that !! We specifically me will only bear the expense of a fighter who worth his salt, those who are the best and yes they will get a good pay but I am not really interested to spend my hard earned money on those 0-0 fighters those who think they are the 'McGregor'. Dude, I have just gave you an opportunity to fight, to prove yourself that you are s fighter, your records will be on sherdog and now you might get opportunity to fight in other promotions isn't it a big deal.
Why the media outlets don't cover the story of those promoters who are really making the things happen!! We give fighters a future, we make the famous and give them the opportunity they are looking for!! We do it every time. Regarding pays and facilities yes, we do provide it and we provides this to the best fighters we have but not to those wannabe , upcoming fighters. You show me you worth your salt and I will give you the things you want. I need you to sell your face not shelling my money out. I am not here for charity am here to do business.
I can't entertain all the walking by fighters, I will put only those best fighters to the special treatment who really deserves.
It's better to have a piece of good apple rather having a bunch of spoiled apples.
I will underpay the fighter, I will not bear the expense of any walk by fighters and forget special treatment unless you show your value and earn it !!
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