Jason Heit

When you first meet Jason Heit, you’re not likely to mistake him for a paper-pushing, desk-job businessman.  He cuts an imposing figure – with wide shoulders and ample height, combined with the shaved head that’s popular amongst contemporary fighters – that says he’s not just a fight-promoter, by a fighter himself.  The former Canadian light-heavyweight boxing champion and North American kick-boxing champion at cruiser-weight, still looks every bit in game-shape as he was in his championship years.  Heit holds an MMA (mixed martial arts) and kickboxing record of 42 wins against just 5 losses, with 37 knock-outs.  He’s currently under contract with the Maximum Fighting Championship (MFC), Canada’s highest profile MMA organization.  So when he talks to students at his own Island MMA (located within Stan Peterec’s Gym on Fisgard St. in downtown Victoria) they know they are being trained by a fighter that has loads of experience, and still keeps in great physical condition.

But shortly into a conversation with Heit about the business side of the sport, and you’ll see he’s equally knowledgeable on that end of the fight game.  In fact it’s probably the “thinking” end of his security training that served him well in a 5-year stint as “bodyman” to some high-profile celebrities in California, up to 2004.  While there he was up close and personal as the man that would keep paparazzi – or other undesirables – at bay for Robbie Williams, Drew Barrymore, David Duchovny and Nicholas Cage, among others.  His position working for these celebrities meant he was with them almost every hour of every day, and Heit says the position meant not so much being physical every day, but being alert at all times, and working on and thinking through game plans ahead of time.

And another game-plan is what Heit has been up to for the last 6 months setting up AFC II – AFTERSHOCK, an MMA fight card at Bear Mountain arena on March 6th, that follows up on his first AFC (Armageddon Fighting Championships) event in August 2009.  That event saw over 2500 fans in attendance.

Heit sees his AFC as an opportunity for hard-working fighters to make a name for themselves, or get discovered by the likes of the UFC, the granddaddy of the MMA fight genre.  Heit says hard workers at this level should expect to get noticed.  “The guys don’t have to have a fantastic, undefeated record, but if they show hard work, and build up 7 or 10 solid wins at this level, they will get noticed.  And that’s what this is for, to provide a venue for these guys to get spotted by a higher level.  They can be exceptional sparring in the gym, but they need to get fights to show what they can do”.  But AFC also provides an opportunity for former UFC fighters to stay in shape, or indeed get back onto a stronger footing to re-enter the UFC.  Two fights on the upcoming card at Bear Mountain will feature former UFC fighters – Kalib Starnes as well as Jason Fairn, fighting in 185 and 265lb. weight classes, respectively.

Heit considers AFC as probably the #3 tier of MMA fighting in Canada, noting that both Quebec and Alberta have strong organizations in place, the latter being home to the aforementioned MFC.  In fact, he admits that the popular King Of the Cage franchise, operating regular events in both Nanaimo and Edmonton, is a worthy endeavour, but he doesn’t see it as competition to his AFC.  Drawing a hockey analogy, he says “it’s like the Grizzlies and the Clippers; same league, two different teams”.

Asked about the reception of the sport, and indeed it’s perception, he doesn’t hide his frustration.  “You know, when I introduce myself and get into a conversation about what I do, invariably it comes up”.  “It” being the fact MMA was once considered a ruthless blood sport, unregulated and unsanctioned.  But he goes to great length now to stress “that was a long, long time ago, but it’s still hard to put to rest.  You are talking to a guy that has played all the contact sports, and let me tell you, there are more injuries and more serious injuries in many other sports, from hockey, to football…rugby.”  Heit thinks the progression of the sport into more provinces and states is good for breaking down those old perceptions.  Notable, Vancouver just authorized the sport on a two-year trial basis, and in light of the decision expects to host a blockbuster UFC event in June at GM Place.

Indeed, MMA has proved itself to be a considerable economic generator in Canada.  The UFC (while lobbying Ontario for permission to hold events) has pointed out that per capita, Toronto residents order more pay-per-view UFC events than any other city, worldwide.  And while Heit says he can only dream of the kind of paid gates they get in Montreal (over $4M, and currently the record-holder for biggest North American attendance, at over 21,000 – twice) he does point out that his fight will see over 1000 fans from out of town travel to Victoria for the event.  And he says that means ferry fares, as well as hotel stays and meals etc., spread throughout the CRD.

AFC II – AFTERSHOCK goes Saturday, March 6th at Bear Mountain Arena.

For more info check out AFC’s official website
http://www.armageddonfc.com

Tickets AVAILABLE ONLINE
https://tickets.jdfrecreation.com/TheatreManager/1/login&event=0

PHONE FOR TICKETS- 250-478-8384

TICKET LOCATIONS – Juan de Fuca Rec Centre, Sports Traders Downtown, Platinum Lounge in Mayfair, Island MMA / Peterecs and Zuma.

Talk MMA in VibrantVictoria.ca’s discussion forum thread MMA in Victoria.

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