Burt Watson, the man once dubbed as the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s “Babysitter to the Stars” by commentator Joe Rogan, is starting his own mixed martial arts promotion.
Watson announced on Tuesday that he will be holding events under the Burt Watson Promotions banner at South Florida’s “hottest venues” starting this spring. According to a release, “each fight card will showcase a wide array of professional talent from around the regional circuit, creating a platform for these athletes to build a local following as they climb the ladder in the world’s fastest growing sport.”
“I want to give fans a world-class product, and preparing each fighter for the bright lights of the next level is what I do,” said Watson, who spent 14 years working with the MMA elite as the site coordinator for the UFC. “The combination of competitive fights and great fan support is the only way to get that done, and I’m excited to start this new chapter.”
The first event will take place on June 15 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood under the name “We Rolllnnn MMA,” a nod to his most famous line. The fight card is expected to be announced soon.
“Every fighter started somewhere, and every champion was once a prospect,” said Watson. “My goal with Burt Watson Promotions is to introduce these future superstars to the public, and with my years of experience, show them what it takes to compete on the highest level of the sport.”
Watson parted ways with the UFC in 2015 after 14 years with the Las Vegas-based promotion. Perhaps best known for his booming catchphrases, Watson played a key role behind the scenes at UFC fight week events. In addition to energizing the competitors before they walked to the cage, the “Babysitter to the Stars” handled a number of tasks, including fighter ticket allotment, weight-cutting, transportation, workout space, and issuing equipment, among other things. He reportedly quit following a confrontation with a promotion executive during UFC 184 fight week.
Watson got his start in combat sports as the manager of his longtime friend, legendary boxer Joe Frazier. He also worked with the likes of Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez and Oscar De La Hoya.