Down but Not Defeated, Shine Fights moves to Oklahoma

Shine Fights, has been virtually doomed from the get-go.

After its first two successful events in 2009, “Shine Fights: Genesis” and “Shine Fights: American Top Team vs The World”, the organization has failed to produce a single event in 2010.

A proposed card for May of this year was botched when a match up between former championship boxer Ricardo Mayorga and veteran Din Thomas failed to materialize after a late injunction was cited by famed boxing promoter Don King, who has Mayorga under contractual obligations. However, the bout that didn’t come to fruition was the least of the promotion’s worries.

The North Carolina State Athletic Commission vetoed the event once the promotion failed to produce a security deposit for the fighters compensation come fight day. Apparently, Shine hasn’t learned from it’s mistakes. After attempting to put together an 8-man one night light weight grand prix in Virgina for September 10, the promotion again faced litigation when they failed to produce the aforementioned safety deposit yet again, and among other things the their one-night tournament did not sit well with the Virgina State Athletic Commission.

Just a few days before it’s event, Virginia denied Shine for it’s license to hold an event in said state, and once again, Shine was on the move.

After a quick scramble, Shine has found a home with Oklahoma for the September 10th event. Some would think a change to state would not change a states policy on a one-night tournament (which is rallied for the safety of the fighter–should the winner take a decision nod in each bout during the Grand Prix, he can conceivably fight for over 40 minutes. Championship bouts run the course of 25 at the most), however Shine, though they will be in Oklahoma, will not be falling under the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission guidelines.

The bout, while taking place in Oklahoma, will be held on an Native American reserve and is not under jurisdiction of the OSAC.

While a commission is required even for events held on Native American reserves for most combat sports, mixed martial arts does not follow under the guidelines.

Thus, the competitors fighting on the 10th may face suspensions following the event, since the promotion is seemingly going around the Atheltic Commissions to hold it’s events.

So, MMA peeps, what do you think of the sudden change? While the promotion found a quick turn around and will still be holding its event, is it worth it? At the expense of its fighters, who may be facing anywhere from a 30-90 day suspension, who wins in the end? Let your opinions known below.