We suggest that your manager should be just that, your manager, not your trainer, not your promoter, not your friend trying to help but someone whose sole job is to ensure your financial stability now and into the future. Trainers and promoters can certainly do the job and some do it very well but in most cases you are competing for their time and energy in other areas. We believe it is better for you to have a full time representative who cares about your career and wishes to see you suceed.

When deciding who will manage your career it boils down to 3 things. Money, time and opportunity.

Money: All managers charge for their services. In a young fighters career 20% is a common fee. However, it depends upon what your manager is REALLY doing for you. Is he/she just making a few phone calls or are they helping you to find good training, cornering, supplies, counseling (financial and personal), sponsors or any number of other things to help you further your career. Your manager can be your best friend when it comes to taking care of your affairs and paying them well is simply an investment in your future.

Time: How much time is your manager spending on your career goals. It may be hard to ascertain the actual hours spent but it should not be hard to judge the results and it is the results that matter. It takes a lot of time and effort to contact trainers, promoters, sponsors and other individuals/companies that can help you achieve success in the Mixed Martial Arts business. A good manager spends the time to form these relationships so they can help their client(s) to move forward in their career.

Opportunity: Opportunities are those times when you are presented with something that will benefit you now or in the future. It is your manager's job to seek out or even create those opportunities. Opportunities can come in most any form and a good manager will be ready and able to act when they are made available.

The most important thing that you can do for your career initially is to concentrate on your development. When you make the decision to go "pro" then you should definitely consider finding yourself a full time manager.