Bill regulating MI MMA could soon go to Gov
On Wednesday the Michigan House approved legislation to create regulation of amateur MMA contests. The bill could be sent to Gov. Rick Snyder’s desk shortly.
Michigan is one of 13 states that allow amateur MMA but do not regulate it.
The state has so egregiously failed to adequately the regulate amateurs that the Association of Boxing Commissions last year took the unprecedented step of asking the member commissions to bar amateur Michigan fighters, or those who have recently competed in Michigan.
Safety in Michigan is left solely in the hands of for-profit promoters. While some promoters are responsible, pre-fight screenings are generally minimal or non-existent, with no tests for AIDS or Hepatitis, fighters under 18 can compete, multiple fights in one night, no ringside physician is required, or even an ambulance, and more.
The cesspool of MMA came to a head in 2013, when Felix Elochukwu Nchikwo, a 35-year-old Nigerian living in Hamilton, Ontario on a student visa, died following his participation in an unregulated amateur MMA bout in Michigan.
Over two years later, Michigan is finally getting closer to regulating amateur MMA.
On Wednesday the state House approved legislation to create regulation of amateur MMA contests. The bill includes:
•Increased promoter and event licensing fees for boxing and MMA events;
•Require at least one inspector to be on site during events;
•Contestants have to compete in appropriate weight classes.
Also on Wednesday the state Senate approved legislation to make it a felony for a professional to participate in an amateur mixed martial arts bout.
The two-bill package could be sent to Gov. Rick Snyder’s desk shortly, following Senate concurrence.