Showdown Entertainment

Showdown Entertainment Inc., based out of Toronto, Ontario, was founded in 2002, by “Showdown Joe” Ferraro.

The company strives at providing a top quality product for all Mixed Martial Arts enthusiasts, whether through media platforms like main stream television and radio, to the internet, print and more.

Since it’s inception, Showdown Entertainment Inc. has built  solid foundation working within the local, provincial, national and international MMA market in hopes to bring a positive light to a sport that was once (and unfortunately continues to be) misunderstood.

Showdown Entertainment Inc. will continue to endeavour at providing high quality coverage of MMA, while aiding in providing an avenue for future MMA athletes to succeed.

About “Showdown Joe” Ferraro

After watching Royce Gracie submit Ken Shamrock in 1993, at UFC 1, Ferraro knew that MMA was something he wanted to be a part of.

Three years later, and with a basic background in kickboxing and wrestling, he found a few local schools in the Greater Toronto Area that taught Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. He signed up, began training as often as he could, but his dream of becoming a pro-fighter was short lived. He spent more time off the mats, than on the mats, recovering from injuries, which eventually took their toll, forcing him to find another way to stay involved with the sport he was so passionate for.

Growing up in the first MMA era, where VHS tapes were the norm, he dove into the industry head first, renting and buying every event and magazine that showcased the sport. In 1998, he made his first attempt at contacting the Ontario government to apply for a promoter’s license to hold an MMA event in his home province.

After being told the sport was deemed illegal under Section 83 of the Criminal Code, as well as under Ontario’s Athletics Control Act, he began working diligently to educate politicians and appointed officials on the merits, safety, and economic impact the sport of MMA could bring to the province of Ontario. Thankfully, through his role in the main steam media, he was able to keep this cause front and centre, crediting Zuffa ( owners of the UFC ) for stepping up and getting the job done. On August 14th, 2010, the province announced they would sanction the sport of MMA, with the very  first event taking place in April of 2o11.

In 2000, he helped co-found Showdown Fightwear Inc., and shortly thereafter, Showdown Boxing Inc. The two companies catered to the growing MMA fan base by providing clothing and training equipment for recreational practitioners, and professionals alike. The two companies began sponsoring local fighters at various events, namely the Universal Combat Challenge (UCC) in Montreal, Quebec, eventually also becoming a sponsor for future events.

The next five years saw “Showdown Joe” take on several roles, building his experience as a promoter, manager, consultant, matchmaker, television and pay per view colour commentator – all of which culminated into a successful broadcasting career as Canada’s top MMA Analyst and television host.

From Grassroots MMA to the Big Show

Prior to their graduation to the bigger MMA shows, the list of fighters that have competed under “Showdown Joe’s” co-promotional efforts include:

UFC Champions: Georges St. Pierre, Rich Franklin, Sean Sherk

UFC Veterans: Jon Fitch, David Loiseau, Patrick Cote, Steve Vigneault, Denis Kang, Duane Ludwig, Joe Lauzon, Elvis Sinosic, Matt Horwich, Krzysztof Soszynski, Ivan Menjivar, Joe Doerksen, Jonathan Goulet, Claude Patrick, Jason Black, Jeff Curran, Drew McFedries, Jeff Joslin, Sean Alvarez, Kristof Midoux, Bill Mahood, Jason Dent, Mark Holst, Mark Bocek

WEC veterans: Mark Hominick, Yves Jabouin, Wagnney Fabiano, Kevin Knabjian

Bellator veteran: Sean Pierson

Dream / K1 Veteran: Kultar Gill

Shooto veteran: Antonio Carvalho

MMA Coach: Shawn Tompkins

The Road to Mainstream Acceptance

In 2003, “Showdown Joe”, along with many of Canada’s MMA Pioneers began pounding the pavement trying to get main stream media outlets to broadcast MMA events on various television networks and radio stations.

In April of 2007, he was given a trial show on Toronto’s leader in Sports Talk Radio, The Fan 590, an experiment that proved worthy as “The Showdown” continues to air on Thursday nights.

Off of the success of the radio show, he was contacted by Rogers Sportsnet in August of 2007, who at the time were looking for an MMA Analyst. After a brief audition, he was hired and began providing weekly MMA updates to a national main stream sports audience. Less than two years later, his dream came true, as on April 20th, 2009, “MMA Connected”, a magazine show that brings viewers the latest MMA headlines, fight breakdowns and bout analysis, went live, and has since become one of the highest rated programs on the network.

In April of 2011, the show was renamed “UFC Connected”, after the network signed a four year broadcast deal with the UFC.

C.O.M.M.A.N.D. Certified

In June of 2009, Ferraro was invited by legendary referee (and MMA pioneer), Big John McCarthy and River Cree Athletics Commissioner, Dale Kliparchuck to take part in McCarthy’s MMA referee certification course, C.O.M.M.A.N.D. (Certification of Officials for National Mixed Martial Arts National Development).

To pass the course, students must have a thorough understanding of the Unified Rules of MMA as well as identify over eight five (85) MMA techniques, ranging from various takedowns, submissions, positions and sweeps.

To prove this, students must pass two separate tests that cover the Unified Rules of MMA, and the aforementioned techniques, then pass a practical component, which puts them in the centre of the action, officiating an MMA bout. Showdown Joe was the first to be tested, and was only one of four students that received certification.

In 2010, Ferraro was invited yet again, this time to take, and attempt to pass, the C.O.M.M.A.N.D. course focussing on MMA judging. He passed, and is the first member of the MMA media to be both, a certified official, and certified judge.

The Future

Showdown Joe continues to work, often times behind the scenes, to evolve the sport of MMA, with a vision that it will one day, operate as a true sport, with an amateur development system and a grass roots circuit, to truly create elite athletes and champions, right across the country. He hopes to lay the foundation in Canada with the goal of taking this project globally in the very near future.

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