"Fans will want to see matchups (the UFC) can't make,'' said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights, who added that his organization is reluctant to join the alliance as well. "(But) I don't know that WAMMA solves that, either, if Dana doesn't want to be a part of it.''

WAMMA does pack plenty of name recognition, with several notable figures from boxing coming on board to help avoid the problems that spoiled their sport.

Its medical advisory board is headed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, and its legal counsel is Fred Levin, who worked for years with former boxing champion Roy Jones Jr. Others involved include boxing promoter Godwin Asifo and Kay Stephenson, former coach of the Buffalo Bills.

The inclusion of Andrews, who has worked for years with athletes from more mainstream sports like Major League Baseball, comes at a time when safety and unified rules are once again a major issue in the sport.

Sam Vasquez of Houston was injured at a Renegades Extreme Fighting show in Houston on Oct. 20 and died about six weeks later. The 35-year-old's death is believed to be the first linked to a sanctioned mixed martial arts bout.

WAMMA will release its first rankings on Monday and will include fighters from all organizations, even those that want no part of it. The alliance hopes to schedule its first world championship bout in mid-2008, and eventually help put together 20-25 title fights a year.

"This has nothing to do with interfering with the financial stream of the UFC or any of the promoters,'' said Szady, stressing that each organization will remain autonomous and that WAMMA will have no part in promoting fights.

Rather, it is a concerted effort to prevent mixed martial arts from fracturing, alienating its fans and finding itself with the same tarnished image as boxing.

"I think there's other potential there,'' Szady continued, "and what I really believe is that if the UFC maintains the sport the way it is, I don't know how long it will remain popular.''

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Lm Otero / AP file

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