Inside the Fight Business: 23 Years Promoting MMA and Combat Sports with with David Oblas

What does it take to build a successful combat sports promotion? In this episode of Elevate 2 Great, Trey Fowler sits down with David Oblas, founder and president of NFC Fighting, one of the top MMA and combat sports promotions in Georgia. David has spent more than two decades promoting fights across the Southeast. What started as a love for boxing and pay-per-view fight nights eventually turned into a full-scale promotion hosting events across multiple venues and showcasing fighters on their path to organizations like the UFC. The journey wasn’t easy. David lost money during his first year promoting fights, maxed out credit cards, and even got fired from his restaurant job before committing to fight promotion full-time. In this conversation, David shares the realities of the fight promotion business, the mindset required to stay in the game for more than 20 years, and the lessons he’s learned building one of Georgia’s top combat sports promotions. Topics include • How David Oblas got into fight promotion • The early struggles of building a fight promotion • The moment MMA exploded in popularity • What separates elite fighters from the rest • Common mistakes that derail fighters' careers Learn More About NFC Fighting https://www.nfcfighting.com/ https://www.instagram.com/nfcfights/ https://www.facebook.com/nfcfighting Links & Resources Schedule a Free Coaching Session https://factoryeleven.net/coaching-session Follow Elevate 2 Great https://x.com/Elevate2GreatHQ https://www.facebook.com/elevate2great https://www.instagram.com/elevate2greatpodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/@FactoryEleven526 Call Us (404) 594-8470 Want to Be a Guest or Have Questions? nikki@factoryeleven.net Chapters 0:00 Introduction to Elevate to Great 0:54 How David Oblas Got Into Fight Promotion 3:22 Losing Money Early and Going All In 5:12 Why He Never Quit 7:10 Why Passion Matters in Business 8:39 Early Obstacles in the Fight Business 10:20 The Fight That Made MMA Explode 12:08 What Sets Great Fighters Apart 15:14 Mistakes New Fight Promoters Make 17:14 Back Surgeries, Leadership, and Asking for Help 22:24 David’s Best Advice: Never Quit and Work Hard 31:46 The Most Unique Fight He Ever Promoted