MMA has had its ups and downs, popularity in mainstream and times of being overlooked. However, the early 2010's was a hot moment for MMA.
From Brock Lesnar to Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor, there was a big fight feeling in a lot of major MMA promotions like UFC and Bellator.
During this peak time, many on the amateur scene we're trying to make a name for themselves.
With sanctioned matches and "smoker" brawls, smaller promotions were setting up shop in sheds, skating rinks and even parking lots. This is where Texas fighter Micah Ashby put his name out there.
Starting out and building a profile, "Magic", as Ashby was dubbed, would try working with promotions for bigger venues and cheaper tickets.
Before fighting in front of 50 people, now venues were seeing 200 to 1000 people for tickets as low as $5. But to draw people in, you in a draw fighter. This is where Micah Ashby came in.
With his championship on his side and great advertising, amateur events now had a "big fight feeling" to them with loaded cards, cheap eats and tickets and all around nonstop action.
Ashby would eventually retire in 2015, but it was his draw and negotiations that lead to many bigger amateur events and getting fighters noticed, such as UFC and Bellator fighters Charlie Ontiveros and Waylon Bronstroup.
Top comments (4)
Hmmm haven’t come across Micah Ashby before
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I actually saw this guy fight. And it was crazy how quick he got a guillotine choke! Also was real humble.
Good read. I do miss all the big PPVs when Conor was just starting, Jones too back in 2013-14. Cool seeing ammys doing big things.