MMA fighters in struggle for recognition in China (3)

Sorely lacking skills

Despite being the only Chinese fighter in the UFC, Zhang has been found wanting. He was allowed into the UFC as a marquee Chinese fighter, given the size of the potential market for MMA, according to insiders. Having fought four times in the UFC since February 2011, he has won once and lost three times, his latest defeat coming in Macao in November at the hands of Guam fighter Jon Tuck.

"I just play the game. To gain fame, you must hold a championship belt, or at least challenge for one," said Zhang, who has competed in the UFC's featherweight and lightweight divisions. He plans to go on fighting for another two years if his physical condition allows him to.

For Zhao Xuejun, it will remain impossible to get support from the government since officials cannot quantify MMA achievements into their track records, since it is not an Olympic event.

At present, most MMA players are self-employed. "They have to spend almost half their time to supporting themselves, which affects their career development," said Zhao.

He speaks highly of the cooperation between his team and Legend. Zhao trains athletes which show great potential, and Legend has sent him coaches from Brazil to help work on the fighters' Brazilian jiujitsu.

The model Zhao uses is sustainable, since athletes don't have to support themselves, and they can attend classes in Zhao's university. "The only difference is that my students don't get salaries like those within the sport administration do," said Zhao.

"Legend is quite open. It allows fighters to compete in other promotions unless they become champions," said Zhao, adding that the UFC doesn't allow this as it signs its fighters to exclusive contracts.

Since 2011, Legend has been working with Xi'an Physical Education University to train fighters. So far, Legend has only held events in Hong Kong, but it plans to hold its first two MMA cards on the mainland this year, according to Qiao.

Zhao knows clearly that the UFC revenue model is hard to copy for China. Their income mainly comes from charging pay-per-view customers, followed by ticket sales and sponsorships.

While in China now, most clubs depend on private sponsors but this amount is still too little for MMA's development here, said Zhao. But Zhao has his own ideas on how to promote MMA.

"We have professional athletes," said Zhao proudly, adding that his "disciples" have fought in four of RUFF's five weight divisions. "We can 'export' fighters to the UFC, and share the income," said Zhao.

Zhao mentioned in particularly Jumabieke Tuerxun, nicknamed The Wild Wolf, a top MMA fighter from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, who it is hoped will soon be called up to the UFC as he maintains an undefeated record of 14-0, according to MMA website Sherdog.

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