If you asked most people about MMA, they would likely point to major promotions like the UFC. But before fighters reach that stage, they come from somewhere far less visible: grueling amateur circuits where performances are do-or-die and money is hard to come by.
Amateur fighters come from all over the world, but in the Northeastern United States, former Bellator fighter Pete Rogers Jr. and his father, Pete Rogers Sr., have been making their mark on the sport. At Rogers Academy of Martial Arts in North Franklin, Connecticut, they not only help train the next generation of fighters, but also provide them with a platform to compete.
How ASAP Fight Promotions gives amateur fighters their first real shot
Back in the early 2000s, Rogers Sr. and a friend were in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, when a conversation at a local bar led to an unexpected idea. His friend suggested he start his own fight promotion. From that moment, Rogers Sr. created Amateur Sport and Professional Fight League, better known as ASAP Fight Promotions.
What began as a small promotion in Florida eventually expanded into the Northeast with events at venues including Mohegan Sun Casino and Rhodes on the Pawtuxet. Today, ASAP hosts amateur and professional MMA, kickboxing and grappling events, but Rogers Sr. has made developing amateur fighters one of the promotion’s primary goals.
Alongside his son, Pete “The Heat” Rogers Jr., Rogers Sr. has helped create opportunities for local athletes to gain the experience needed before pursuing professional careers. Rogers Sr. focuses on organizing events and working with venues and gyms, while Rogers Jr. handles much of the matchmaking.
“I’m trying to give them a foundation. They need a foundation,” Rogers Sr. said. “They need the exposure. You can’t just train, go out, get a pro fight and get your head kicked in. It’s not a good way to go.”
As each event approaches, Rogers Sr. regularly checks in with competitors to ensure they have completed medical testing and wellness requirements before stepping into the cage.
Fighter safety, he said, remains the promotion’s top priority, and he believes every amateur deserves the chance to compete in a properly sanctioned event. For Rogers Sr., amateur competition is designed to prepare fighters for the realities of the sport before they ever consider turning professional.
Rogers Jr. shares that philosophy. He said the pressure of competing in front of a crowd is something that cannot be replicated inside the gym, regardless of experience level.
Rogers Jr. competed in amateur kickboxing and karate point fighting before transitioning into MMA. Although he had experience in striking, he did not begin training grappling until his late teens and never competed in an amateur MMA bout before turning professional.
Once the cage door closes, Rogers Jr. said, every fighter faces the same question: Can you rise to the moment, or will the pressure overwhelm you?
“It’s character building,” Rogers Jr. said. “Some people don’t have professional aspirations and want to challenge themselves. Regardless of the result you can hold your head high because you got in there and you did it.”
For Rogers Jr., that is the true value of amateur competition. It is not simply about building a record, but about building confidence, discipline and experience. His advice to young fighters is simple: take your time, avoid overtraining and trust both your coaches and your body.
While the UFC represents the highest level of mixed martial arts, every professional fighter starts somewhere. Long before championship belts, sold-out arenas and national attention, there are local gyms, amateur promotions and people like Pete Rogers Sr. and Pete Rogers Jr. creating opportunities for the next generation to take its first step.
