Pankration is a sport that is often misunderstood because of its ancient heritage that is usually depicted through risqu photos and statues showing two naked fighters in somewhat compromising positions. The truth is that modern-day Pankration is composed of gi and no gi divisions with rules that model MMA type matches without the face contact. With the rise of MMA, there has been a rise in Pankration organizations trying to awaken the sport and bring it back to where it belongs to the Olympics. The leading organization; USA Federation of Pankration Athlima (USAFPA) is taking yet another step forward by not only sending their athetes to another World Championships hosted my FILA, but by being able to sponsor a portion of their journey of becoming a World Champion. MMAXtremeFantasy.com sat down with Dave Sixel, president of USAFPA and was able to ask a questions about Pankration, their athletes, and their upcoming events.
MMAXtremeFantasy.com:
First off explain a little about Pankration and the similarities and differences to MMA?
Dave Sixel:
Pankration is a Greek form of Mixed Martial Arts that was introduced into the Ancient Olympic games in 648BC, making it one of the first forms of MMA ever established. Modern Day Pankration rules are what you would consider a step below amateur level MMA rules. The rules are the same, except that there is no face contact, allowing competitors to almost ease into mixed martial arts competition. This also allows for competitors to compete at a younger age in a controlled mixed martial arts match. It's simply a safer way to compete and a great stepping stone into the MMA world. Not only do competitors get much needed experience in a competition setting, but there are many opportunities to compete for titles such as National and World Championships with the most prestigious of organizations.
MMAXtremeFantasy.com:
I've seen a lot of talk on online about Pankration, and the people that do know a little about it have this image that is perceived through certain statues and how competitions were held in the ancient times with the fighters being naked? Obviously that's not how competitions are held now, explain a little of what the competitors wear and the space the competitions are held in?
Dave Sixel:
I do hear that a lot, but competitions in modern day pankration are run as gi or no gi divisions. Pankration Gi's are traditional Greek style uniforms that are normally blue and white. Competitors in No Gi Divisions compete in fight shorts and a compression short is optional. The components of the fight and the match itself model MMA competition. The statues that people see which represents Pankration are from a different time periods where they tried depicting fighting in different ways other than just boxing.
MMAXtremFantasy.com:
Do you have a lot of MMA fighters compete in Pankration Competitions and visa versa?
Dave Sixel:
We do have a lot of fighters that compete in Pankration and MMA matches. Like I said before, they are essentially the same thing minus the face contact. People can train the same for both competitions. The only eligibility requirement for professional fighters to be on a US Pankration team is that a fighter cannot have more than 4 professional fights. We have entire MMA clubs compete in our Pankration tournaments to warm up for upcoming fights and we have Pankration fighters competing in as many tournaments as possible to gain that much needed experience to start their MMA Career.
MMAXtremeFantasy.com:
How is your organization different from any other Pankration Organization? How can you offer competitions such as the US team trials in Las Vegas on June 25th?
Dave Sixel:
First and foremost we are recognized by FILA. They are a member of the International Olympic committee and the driving force behind Wrestling in the Olympics. Being the only Pankration organization recognized by them in the United States is by far one of the biggest factors that sets us apart from the others. Our athletes have the biggest opportunities and are the closest in the Mixed Martial Arts world to be Olympic Champions. The National Governing Board of Association of Boxing Commisions, ABC, also recognizes us as the only regulated United States Pankration Organization. We are also a non profit organization, which means the USAFPA board of directors are basically volunteers that are involved because of their passion for the sport and competitors that compete in it. Competitions that are hosted by the USAFPA are not driven by greed or a quick buck, but put on for the athletes to represent the sport and possibly their country.
MMAXtremeFantasy.com:
Tell us a little more about the US team trials being held at Xtreme Couture's in Las Vegas?
Dave Sixel:
The 2011 United States Pankration National Championships and World Team Trails will determine the US National Team for the 2011 FILA World Championships of Pankration In Serbia at the end of September. It will be held at June 25th at Xtreme Coutures in Las Vegas. They have really been helping us out and been a great supporter. We will be hosting youth divisions for all skill levels as well as adult divisions. Competitors in the Mens divisions will competing for one of the 8 spots on the US Team, while women will be competing for one of 6 spots.
MMAXtremeFantasy.com:
Expand a little on what the winners of each adult division will receive in regards to the trip to Serbia and being a US team member?
Dave Sixel:
This will be the 5th FILA World Championships for Pankration and the 1st for Amateur MMA, also known as "FILA Combat Grappling". It will be hosted in Belgrade, Serbia September 30 to October 2, 2011. Last year over 40 nations were represented at the World Championships which featured Grappling and Pankration. The United States placed 1st in Grappling and 3rd in Pankration sending four athletes to the 2010 World Combat Games in China, an epic Olympic level event of 13 combative sports with participating athletes receiving an all expense paid trip to compete in Bejing. The US National Championships are open to all athletes regardless of style, school or affiliation. The competitor who wins his or her weight class at the World Team Trials will have first choice to be the US representative for the Worlds and the coach with the most winning athletes will be selected as the US National Team Coach.
MMAXtremeFantasy.com:
What are some upcoming things in the works for USAFPA, in regards to growth and taking that next step as an organization?
Dave Sixel
Obviously besides the National Team Trials coming up, we are working on spreading Pankration through the entire United States to provide more competition for competitors and give everyone the opportunity to represent their country. A way of doing this, especially as a non-profit organization is getting everyone involved to the lowest level. We are in the process of setting up Regional and State Directors, as well as school affiliates, and individual memberships. This type of organization will allow us to hold regional tournaments that can pay for the top competitors to attend Nationals as well as other benefits such as insurance, ranking systems, seminars, etc. For the last year, there has been an application form on our website at USAPankration.org for these different levels of membership and we have received a great response, but we are always looking to expand to provide our athletes with the most opportunities we can. We are growing at an exponential pace and it is an exciting time to be apart of Team USA Pankration.
MMAXtremeFantasy.com:
Whats a long-term goal for you organization?
Dave Sixel:
The long-term goal is definitely getting back into the Olympics. It would be a dream come true to see these athletes that work so hard to compete at the pinnacle of their sport. Being a non-profit organization, FILA is exploring entering either Mixed Martial Arts, Pankration or Grappling into the Olympic Games as an additional discipline of Wrestling and not a new sport.This is the fast track and only realistic way any of these sports can gain entry into the Olympics. Many European and Asian athletes benefit from state supported National Federations. USA Pankration is a IRS 501 c 3 non-profit Amateur Sports Organization with the sole goal of fostering National and International Competition for Pankration and MMA. These competitions will be the driving force to getting to our long-term goal.
MMAXtremeFantasyLeagues.com:
Is there anything you would to like to add or anybody you would like to thank?
Dave Sixel:
We would like to thanks Xtreme Couture's for everything they have provided as well as one of our major sponsors XtremeFantasyLeagues.com. These type of sponsors are allowing us to take this sport to another level. We welcome any sponsors interested in providing additional funds for athletes and aiding in their travel to the World Championships. All donations are tax deductible.
Kurt Pugh II is the co-founder of XtremeFantasyLeagues.com LLC and MMAXtremeFantasy.com, a U.S. based fantasy Sports Company that provides leagues in Football, MMA, Baseball, and Basketball. They offer the first ever stat based fantasy MMA leagues as well as weekly and playoff football challenges. The leagues offer some of the largest cash prizes and quickest payouts on the web. Sign up for a league now at XtremeFantasyLeagues.com and MMAXtremeFantasy.com. You can also find them on facebook, twitter, and youtube.
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