The MMA world is buzzing with news about CageHunter, an app dubbed as the Uber of MMA. Like the well-known transportation app that connects drivers with passengers, CageHunter connects fighters and their managers with matchmakers, giving them a platform that allows them to negotiate directly with each other and make fights happen. CageHunter has gained a large following in Europe and is expected to start taking over the MMA scene overseas. To get an insider view on this app built just for MMA world, the MMA for the Working Man Editor-in-Chief has invited Mr. Pavol Neruda, founder of the CageHunter to share his views about the app he created and the world of MMA at large. Pavol is also the founder of Oktagon MMA, one of Europe’s most popular MMA big leagues. So here is my interview with the big man himself.
Q: Who is Pavol Neruda?
A: I’m a Slovakian MMA promoter and founder of Oktagon MMA, one of the biggest professional MMA leagues in the EU and also one of the fastest growing in the world. I was a manager in the MMA world for a really long time, so I saw first-hand how outdated matchmaking in MMA is. I found it ridiculous that there was no other way for MMA fighters to look for offers and communicate with promoters and other managers except through Facebook or Instagram. That was just crazy, so it got me thinking. This gave me the idea to create a platform which will be able to simplify this process.
Q: How did you get involved into MMA? Tell me more about your martial arts or MMA experience.
A: I have been practicing combat sports all my life. I did a lot of boxing and Muay Thai back in the day. I discovered MMA during my college years when I used to worked as a security specialist. Most of my colleagues were MMA fighters. Later on, I started to realize that I had the smarts and skills to work as a matchmaker and a promoter. I started helping out with the matchmaking and management in OFA, Oktagon Fighting Academy in Bratislava. I got to know a lot of MMA fighters during this time. From here, I felt an obligation to showcase their skills to the fight fans of the world.
Q: What inspired you to create CageHunter? Was there an “Aha!” moment? How did you get the idea to create this app?
A: When I was as a manager and promoter, I needed to communicate with matchmakers around the world. I saw how complicated and tedious the whole process was. I could not understand, how it was possible that in the year 2017 we still need to communicate through Facebook or e-mail or whatever. For example, imagine that you are looking for some fighter and you need to contact various clubs or manager around the Europe or the world. You need to write them on Facebook or through email one by one. Then you need to keep up a conversation with each individual.
I told to myself, “there’s a easier way!”I though of making it like Uber. Just “throw out” an offer, interested fighters sign up, then you choose one the one you like most. It’s instant, fast, simple and it connects the whole world. That’s why I think that CageHunter is the new era of matchmaking in MMA.
Q: I noticed that you decided you link each fighter’s account to their Sherdog.com profile? What made you decide to do this?
A: MMA is a lucky sport to have one big main database, which is respected by whole world. We’re talking about Sherdog. I wanted that a transparent system where everyone and anyone will be able to see the real score of fighters, so not just anybody would be able to just write down some made up score on his profile. MMA, compare to other combat sports, has a big advantage in Sherdog and I just wanted to support this database and use it to everyone’s advantage.
Q: How do you envision CageHunter will change MMA? What kind of impact are you trying to achieve with it?
A: I hope that it will simplify matchmaking and connect the community of MMA world. Nowadays, with the number of fighters and MMA organizations rising, it is becoming more and more difficult orient yourself in it. Somewhere out there there could be many great talents which we do not know about. With CageHunter, people from all around the world can be connected. I believe that this usher in a brand new era of how the matchmaking will be done in MMA. It will simplify the process for everyone. Managers will have a place where they can easily find a good matches for their fighters. Fighters will have many more opportunities. Matchmakers will save tens or maybe hundreds of hours before every tournament. The result is huge amount of saved time, worry and money with a lot better and a lot more fights.
Q: What do you see in the world of MMA that most other people don’t?
A: I see that it’s consolidating. The biggest organizations will stabilize within the next five years and they will stay the biggest in their regions. For example, the UFC will be always the biggest and best in the world. And also that there will be a major one for every region. Also, MMA itself is becoming extremely competitive. To be the best in five years will cost three times more effort than it did five years ago.
Q: Where do you think the sport of MMA is headed?
A: I believe that this sport is now heading more towards ordinary people. We already won the attention of fans of combat sports, now we have to catch the attention of their friends. Now, for example, Oktagon MMA is showing that the sport of MMA can go further to the wider masses. At Slovakia and Czech Republic, in Oktagon MMA we see whole families with their kids watching the events. I believe that that is where all MMA organizations are heading. But the main challenge in front of the sport and community of MMA is to be recognized as an Olympic sport. That should be effort of all of us, because that would change totally everything from development of rules to financing of organizations and the future of MMA as a sport.
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