Word is out that the people behind Metamoris are trying to have the monopoly of the PPV grappling events by asking grappling athletes to sign exclusive contracts. The athletes would only be allowed to compete in Metamoris but not with rival invitational such as Polaris, Copa Podio, or EBI. The exception would be for IBJJF and ADCC events.
It looks Metamoris wants to be the UFC of grappling events. There is nothing wrong with exclusive contracts. Some fighters like Leandro Lo of Felipe Pena have an exclusive deal with Copa Podio. The problem is that there are only 2 Metamoris events per year so exclusive athletes will have limited earning possibility. An MMA fighter in a contract with the UFC can compete, and get paid 3-4x per year due to the ever increasing number of UFC events.
Garry Tonon made a statement today about Metamoris offering him an exclusive contract and why he turned it down.
This is what Joe Rogan, UFC commentator and best friend of Eddie Bravo, had to say about Metamoris poaching grapplers from the EBI event.
From The Underground:
That’s pathetic. I will not support them now. They also don’t hold nearly enough events for athletes to stay sharp enough to compete at their best if they competed exclusively for them. This is a horrible way to approach what has the potential to be a huge sport.
Metamoris is owned by Ralek Gracie. Joe Rogan shares his thoughts on The Gracie Family’s reaction to Eddie Bravo vs Royler Gracie at Metamoris 3:
