Superkombat president Eduard Irimia revealed the new concept in a press release last week. With an estimated budget of around 5 million US dollars, Superkombat will provide their young fighters with “all they need for their performance”, including a base-salary, camp accommodation, media training and more, so they can concentrate solely on their fights, Irimia says.
“For that, we will select teams around the world who are ready to be part of Superkombat and we will support them not only financially with salaries and prize money, but with nutrition, equipment, media exposure, PR, fights in our events etc.”, the press release reads.
To do so, Superkombat negotiated long-term deals with local partners all over the world who will participate in the project by sponsoring fighters particularly from their region.
“We already have partners in some countries and many fighters already asking to join up. As example, if we have a Polish fighter selected, a local sponsor will invest in him, the fighter will get a salary and other benefits, and as I said support with the other things from our side.”
The plan is to support 32 fighters with the Superkombat Academy concept over the next three years. Those fighters will be promoted to the big stage by way of an elimination-style tournament over the course of six live events every year and will also be featured in a ‘The Ultimate Fighter’-like reality TV-series.
Superkombat recently announced their schedule for 2015, with six live events mainly focused on their Heavyweight World Grand Prix starting March 7, but also with tryout fights involving possible Academy candidates.
This is a fairly interesting concept, given the ongoing discussion of fighter pay in MMA and especially in the UFC. Here is a promo video for Superkombat Academy: