Shine Fights CEO Has Some Strong Words for The Athletic Commission That Cancelled His Show

I’ve been reporting on the troubles of the fledgling MMA promotion Shine Fights for a while now. Whether it was controversy stemming over the promotion not paying fighters from their failed “Mayorga vs. Thomas” event, or the sudden announcement that the Virginia Athletic Commission refused to give Shine Fights a license to hold their most recent event, the promotion seems beset by opponents at all sides. Shine Fights has done its best to roll with the punches, recently confirming that their planned September 10 event has been rescheduled for the same day at a different location and in a different state. Also, Shine Fights CEO Devin Price recently released a statement with some very harsh words for the Virginia Athletic Commission.

Price’s statement is as follows: “I was given verbal approval for our Sept 10 event by the Virginia state commission 32 days prior to the fight date. The commission did not express any problems with our event until certain members of the MMA community accused Shine of having reneged on our responsibilities following the cancellation of our May 15, 2010 ‘Worlds Collide: Ricardo Mayorga-Din Thomas’ fight card in Fayetteville, NC. The Virginia commission was understandably concerned, but instead of allowing us to prove the concerns were unfounded, they refused to provide a license. And we could have proved this since on Friday the North Carolina commission ruled that Shine HAD met all its obligations from the May 15, 2010 event. It is unfortunate things had to end this way; however, I know we will still have a great show on September 10 and we are happy to be working with the First Council Casino.”

Shine Fight’s third event is set to feature a one-night eight-man Lightweight Grand Prix tournament which is supposed to air on Pay-Per-View. The event has been relocated to the First Council Casino in Newkirk, Oklahoma. With barely a week to establish themselves in a new area, it remains to be seen how successful the event will be in regards to ticket sales. My guess is: not very.

I’ll be honest and say that I’ve had virtually no sympathy for Shine Fights since this entire little scandal started. Yet if what Price says is true, then it really does seem like the Virginia Athletic Commission jumped the gun. Price makes it seem like not paying his fighters was the central issue rather than letting the fans play match-maker, which is what was initially reported as the main reason the VAC cancelled the show. If that really is the case, then Price did deserve to at least have a perfunctory meeting with the commission to try and prove his case.

But at the end of the day, I still think this is poetic justice. I think Shine Fights has made its bed (more likely its grave) and now has to lay down in it. You’ll never see me attempt to justify a promotion not paying its fighters. I know that promoters are people too; I don’t entertain the notion that the top brass at Shine Fights are money-grubbing thieves and tricksters. They’re most likely honest men in a bad situation. But it’s the athletes that fill the seats, it’s their performances that inspire the interest, their blood, sweat, and determination is what keeps the green flowing in. If you made a promise to pay your fighters, and you don’t live up to that promise, then guess what: I have absolutely no sympathy for you.

And what about you, fans and friends? As the Shine Fights saga continues, where do you stand?