Louisiana AC revisits issue of breast implants in the cage and ring

While MMA is the most compelling sport in the world, its regulation by State, Provincial, and Tribal athletic commissions can be dry. That is why regulation is so under the radar that promotions like the UFC are often taken to task by fans over judges or refs, when officials are appointed not by the promotion, but by the AC.

However, a first of its kind emergency rule passed by Louisiana State Boxing and Wrestling Commission is, in keeping with the character of the state, more colorful that most – a six month moratorium was placed on MMA fighters and boxers who have breast implants.

Now the moratorium is expiring, and the governing AC is proceeding.

Julia O’Donoghue of the The Times-Picayune has the story.

The requirement for a doctor’s note in the case of breast implants will expire at the beginning of next month, unless the commission decides to make the rule permanent. Some commissioners took the last month to gather more information about how other entities handle breast implants in fighting.

While most states ignore the issue, Nebraska requires female fighters with breast implants to get doctor’s clearance, and the U.S. military doesn’t let people with breast implants participate in boxing without seeing a doctor first, said Buddy Embanato, vice chairman of Louisiana’s commission.

Fighters with breast implants aren’t being singled out for special treatment. Other groups, like boxers over 40 years old, are already forced to get extra testing and medical clearance before they enter a ring, according to Embanato.

He favors a rule that would require people with breast implants to have doctors check them annually to make sure the plastic surgeries are stable and unlikely to rupture during a match.

“My personal opinion is that a person with an implant should go through a doctor and have it checked it out to make sure it is still ok,” said Embanato.

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