
Total Combat is one of the fastest-rising MMA promotions in the country. Since its inception in 2003, it has grown from a platform for up-and-coming fighters to test their skills into a promotion with top athletes, big production, and a sweet cross-promotion deal with MTV3. In 2009 Total Combat expects that they will go nationwide with more events aired on MTV3, My13 Network in San Diego, and a reality show that begins filming early next year. Clearly the brains behind this operation has a savvy business sense. Did I mention that Total Combat is run by a woman?
In the heavily male-dominated industry of professional MMA, roles for women can be few and far-between. We see women in the cage in some promotions, including Total Combat, and some form of ring girl in every promotion. But Diana Ocampo goes against the norm as CEO of this organization. She had her own first experience with MMA in 2000 when she took Jiu-Jitsu as part of a self-defense course at the Boys and Girls’ Club in Chula Vista. From there, her business partner Eric Delfierro became involved with The Lions Den, the first real MMA school in San Diego, at the suggestion of her instructor at the Boys and Girls’ Club. Delfierro began to hear murmurings from the students at The Lion’s Den that they wanted a platform to compete with other gyms in front of a live audience. Ocampo jumped on the chance. “The idea was fresh and new and got my blood flowing. I always liked creating something from scratch,” she says now. She began a humble, grass-roots campaign to promote the event, passing out flyers at local dojos, clubs, and eateries. It was a huge success with over 1000 attendees.
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Last Updated:
Jun 02, 2010