Mixed martial arts is now regulated and legal in every State and Province in North America. However, while most countries internationally have a government body that regulates boxing, most are not progressive enough to regulate MMA.

That means that when a US based promotion promotes an event overseas, there is no one to for example license fighters, make sure their medicals are in order, and test for PEDs. However, when Bellator MMA holds its big tent event in London on Saturday, the Mohegan Department of Athletic Regulation will be on hand to provide regulatory functions.

It’s nothing new, but it’s a great step for the fighters, and that’s what I’m concerned about, said Mike Mazzulli, Mohegan commission director and president of the Association of Boxing Commissions, to Steven Marrocco for MMAjunkie. The fighters are looking for this. We are completely separate from Bellator.

This is the first time Bellator has announced regulation at an overseas event, and its second international event.