Here are a few facts that tell us the growing fight scene in VA is in good hands with GCA(Global Combat Alliance) ;

1) The GCA has panels made up with coaches who are most aggressively turning out amateur and pro fighters,
2)  GCA has proven already (with two major shows and helping other smaller shows) that they aren’t concerned with glitz and gimmick but with quality fight cards, last but not least…
3)  Get used to them because they have already taken over most of all VA shows and they plan to take the whole East Coast, too.  I sat down with Scott Howard, one of the co-owners of GCA to talk about what GCA has on its plate for the future of VA.

DCMMA:    Are you looking for GCA to outgrow Virginia?  What is the long-term goal?
Scott Howard:    The UFC has a stranglehold on MMA.  King of the Cage is a joke.  GCA’s goal is to take over the East Coast events and make sure amateurs get a fair chance to fight.  

DCMMA:    What have been some of the obstacles along the way?
Scott Howard:    Finances, of course.  I don’t want to sell my soul just to get investors like a lot of others have already.  I believe, if I keep my base the shows will grow.  If I sell out now, well then…there’s no such thing as silent partners anymore.  I want to be able to keep doing it my way.  If I sell out now then I won’t be able to keep the fights fair and it will be just another tough man competition.

DCMMA:    What have you guys at GCA had to rely on so far to get where you are now?
Scott Howard:    [The]Fighters.  We put on good shows.  We put the best schools on these advisory boards.  We’ve had the motivation and funds, the training… All the things necessary to legitimize the fight scene.  We went from having only two to three schools participating to a 30 school network that we pool from.

DCMMA:    How much does it cost to have GCA sanction fight shows?
Scott Howard:    It depends.  If you want GCA to run all aspects of your show it can cost around $2,0000.  If you want insurance, judges, refs, doctors…that would be an extra $50 per fight.  It depends on how involved GCA is in the event.

DCMMA:    When is GCA’s website going to have its new ranking up?
Scott Howard:    Next couple of weeks.  We are also working on a Muay Thai ranking system with Brooks Miller.

DCMMA:    I thought he only did Thai smokers.
Scott Howard:    Things are changing (smiles.)

DCMMA:    What’s up with the WKA?  It’s no secret that you guys don’t work with them.
Scott Howard:    I did at one time (work with the WKA.)  For three years, I was a U.S. representative, a judge, a referee.  The problem is WKA doesn’t care about its fighters.  I’ve seen mis-matches.  I don’t think what (Brian) Crenshaw does is good for the sport.  He takes care of what lines his pockets.  It’s not just opinion.

DCMMA:    How are your VALHALLA shows going?
Scott Howard:    It’s doing well.  I haven’t even done a commercial yet and it’s already been sold out.  I got a commercial being made for the December show coming up, I’m looking to double the last Valhalla.  We’ve outgrown the Dulles Sportsplex.  Annandale’s Northern Virginia Community College is our next venue.  Mason was a possibility.

DCMMA:    What do you think about the competition here in the metropolitan area?
Scott Howard:    The amateur circuit here is the best on the East Coast.  We put on the toughest shows.  I can say that because of the years I spent travelling up and down the coast judging at shows.  No other circuits can compare to this areas.

DCMMA:    How does it feel to be so successful in such a relatively short time?
Scott Howard:    I’m not successful yet, bro.  Not until I have fighters that don’t have to work anymore because they get paid well for what they love to do.  We have a long way to go.  Right now I went from having a small business to a mid-size business.  Now it’s time to jump from a mid-size business to a large business.