MASSACHUSETTS LEGISLATURE MIGHT PUT MMA IN A CHOKEHOLD

Posted on | May 27, 2008 | No Comments

By John J. Monahan TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
jmonahan@telegram.com

BOSTON— Expressing concerns about safety and the impact on children, the state Senate has approved a budget rider to ban mixed martial arts fighting matches until the state Boxing Commission is expanded and develops special rules to govern the sport.

State Sen. James E. Timilty, D-Walpole, sought the ban, arguing on the Senate floor that the new and increasingly popular matches, including the Ultimate Fighting Championship matches held at arenas, including the DCU Center in Worcester, operate with no regulatory oversight.

The legislation will be included as part of the budget package sent to a conference committee to work out differences between House and Senate versions of the budget. If kept in the final budget adopted by both branches, it would then go to the governor for his review as part of the budget.

Describing the competitions — which combine boxing, kickboxing, karate and other fighting disciplines — as dangerous, Timilty said: “It is an unregulated sport” in Massachusetts.

He said state regulations would give referees the power to stop fights if necessary, as is the case now with state-sanctioned boxing matches.

His proposal calls for expansion of the state Boxing Commission from three to five members, with the extra members being experts in martial arts and boxing. Licensing of fighting contests, he said, would allow the state to take 2 percent of the gate from fights held in the state, as well as up to $75,000 from television rights for televised events.

Timilty said he’s worried that children and teenagers have begun copying the fighting styles without the benefit of professional safety equipment. “Right now, there are 5- and 7-year-olds rolling around on a mat giving choke holds” learned from watching fighters whom he described as “misguided” adults.

“Someone is going to get hurt,” he said.

He said the amendment would ensure that the UFC could not bring fights into the state until regulations are in place.

“Currently, these are nothing more than unregulated street fights” that have generated a large following, Timilty said.

FNU EDITOR’S NOTE:

If you want to let Senator Timilty know how you feel about MMA and educate him on the sport’s finer points and benefits here is his contact info:

STATE SENATOR
JAMES E. TIMILTY
State House
Room 507
Boston, MA 02133
Telephone: (617) 722-1222
Fax: 617-722-1056
Party Affiliation – DEMOCRAT
E-Mail Address: James.Timilty@state.ma.us